Area Climate and Landforms
Clinton is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and is the Eastern-most point in the state of Iowa. The Mississippi River provides spectacular views and opportunities for recreation such as fishing, birding, kayaking, camping and boating, to name a few. Because so much of our culture and history is built around the Mississippi River, there are a number of organizations dedicated to preserving and educating those about the area climate and landforms.
Clinton County Conservation
In 1999, over 38 million tons of commodities (mostly grain, coal and aggregates) moved to, from, within and past Iowa. These commodities had a combined value of more than $6.7 billion. Grain comprised the largest quantity of this tonnage, totaling nearly 66% overall. Coal followed as the second largest commodity, totaling 13.5% of the tonnage.
Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center
Clinton County Conservation is located in extreme east-central Iowa along the Mississippi River. The Conservation Board manages 2,030 acres of parks, wildlife areas, preserves and marina (22 individual areas); and is home to the Eden Valley Wildlife Refuge and Rock Creek Marina & Campground.
Upper Mississippi Wildlife & Fish Refuge
The refuge is located in four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois along the Mississippi River. The Refuge was established in in 1924 as a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants and a breeding place for migratory birds. The refuge encompasses one of the largest blocks of floodplain habitat in the lower 48 states. Bordered by steep wooded bluffs that rise 100 to 600 feet above the river valley, the Mississippi River corridor and refuge offer scenic beauty and productive fish and wildlife habitat unmatched in the heart of America. The refuge covers just over 240,000 acres and extends 261 river miles from north to south at the confluence of the Chippewa River in Wisconsin to near Rock Island, Illinois.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Lock & Dam 13
Morning or evening, you will see wild geese, ducks, turtles and cranes abundant everywhere as you wander back to the dam. In the Spring you will see baby chicks as they cross from one pond to another, following mother goose as she searches for fish to feed them. In the summer and fall you will see the lily pads in full bloom with their pale yellow flowers providing a carpet for the river backwaters. The pool waters on the north side of the road seem to go on forever as they disappear into the horizon. There are a few primitive camping spots along the pool, free to the public if you are so inclined. Make sure to bring your fishing gear, too. This area is recognized as a great fishing spot.
In the winter, you will find yourself within twenty feet of the Bald Eagles as they perch in the surrounding trees and dive down to the waters effortlessly, talons out, foraging for their dinner. This lookout tower is one of the top ten spots on the upper Mississippi river to witness the great Bald Eagle up close and personal.