Glaciers originated in the Canadian arctic and advanced over all or parts of Iowa numerous times between 2.6 million and 10,000 years ago. Today, Iowa’s oldest glacial deposits are more than 500,000 years old and are seen across the Southern Iowa Drift Plain.

The Des Moines Lobe The last glacier to enter Iowa advanced in a series of surges beginning just 15,000 years ago and reached its southern limit, the site of modern-day Des Moines, 14,000 years ago.

Ice age sculpting But glaciers smoothed over most of the state, giving it its trademark flat horizon. Each ice age, glaciers acted as a giant pestle on Illinois’ landscape, pulverizing rock and prehistoric plants into the fertile soils that the Midwest is known for.

Des Moines Lobe

Once upon a time, long, long, long ago, all Iowa was under the sea. During this period there were millions of little shell-covered animals living in the shallow parts of the ocean. As they died they sank to the bottom and slowly, shell by shell, layers of limestone were formed.

West Okoboji

What is Iowa Known For?

1. The Grotto of the Redemption.
2. The birthplace of Sliced Bread.
3. Iowa State Fair.
4. The Hawkeye State. The official nickname of Iowa is the Hawkeye State.
5. Corn, corn, and more corn! The United States is the leading producer of corn in the world followed by China.

The three principal lakes of the group are Big Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. They are the largest natural lakes in the state of Iowa. The largest, Spirit Lake, is 5,684 acres (2,300 ha). The lake area extends to the north into Jackson County, Minnesota.

Clear Lake (Iowa)

Clear Lake
Location	Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Coordinates	43°07′32″N 93°25′29″WCoordinates: 43°07′32″N 93°25′29″W
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	3,684 acres (15 km2)

In fact, Alaska is the state with the most lakes, with an estimated 3 million, although most of them don’t have names.

If You Didn’t Know About These 10 Swimming Holes In Iowa, They’re A Must Visit

• Upper Iowa River, Decorah.
• Racoon River along the trail, Redfield.
• Wabash Trace Rail Trail, North of Coin.
• Sandy Beach, Coralville Lake.
• Rathbun Lake, Honey Creek State Park.
• Sugar Bottom Recreational Area, Solon.
• Clear Lake.
• Kent Park, Oxford.

The answer is Destin by many miles.

In the release, Tupper called recreational swimming in the Iowa River “inherently dangerous.” He said the area near the Center Street Bridge “has a long and notorious history that includes multiple injuries and deaths that have resulted from swimming accidents. …

Iowa may be land-locked in the traditional sense, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places to swim, dive and doggy-paddle. Get your fill of sand and sun at the beaches along Iowa’s lakes and rivers. Just north of Des Moines on Big Creek Lake is the newly-renovated Big Creek Beach.

For this weekend, the Iowa DNR warns against swimming at Lake Macbride, near Solon, because of high levels of E. coli, which can increase because of goose droppings or other feces washing into the water.

Iowa is the thirty-first richest state in the United States of America, with a per capita income of $19,674 (2000).

Dive into Summer at these Pools and Lakes

• Cascade Falls Aquatic Center. For those who love adventure in the water, check out Cascade Falls in Ankeny.
• Big Creek State Park.
• Lake Ahquabi.
• Raccoon River Park.

The Des Moines River is “essentially unusable” as a drinking water source for 500,000 central Iowans because of toxins from algae, leaders of the Des Moines Water Works said Wednesday. The federal health advisory level for water treated to supply taps is far stricter than for swimming.

Due to elevated bacteria levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District does not recommend swimming at the North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches at Lake Red Rock.

There are three designated swimming beaches located at Rathbun Lake. One is located in Buck Creek Park, one is located in Island View Park, and one at Honey Creek Resort. At Rathbun Lake, day use fees are charged at designated swimming beaches maintained by the Corps of Engineers.

Swimming at Saylorville Lake All of Saylorville’s designated beaches are alcohol free and zoned for safe swimming areas. Running water is provided at each of the access points and restroom facilities are available at both areas when open. Sandpiper additionally has a changing facility for its users.

Swimming is not recommended at McIntosh Woods and Clear Lake State Park beaches on Clear Lake as well as Beeds Lake Beach, the DNR’s water quality monitoring site says.

Big Creek State Park is one of Iowa’s most scenic slices of paradise. Big Creek Beach’s water is closely monitored by the Iowa DNR, and it is typically safe to swim in.

The lake is situated two miles to the north of Polk City, spreads across 814 acres, and its mean depth is 17.3 feet (maximum 51 feet deep). The lake’s purpose was to protect Polk City from floods….Big Creek Lake (Iowa)

Big Creek Lake
Type	Lake
Surface area	814 acres (329 ha)
Max. depth	51 metres (167 ft)

Big Creek Lake provides excellent fishing year-round. Any size motor may be operated at “no wake” speeds on the lake. Five modern boat ramps, three on the west side and two on the east, provide excellent access to the lake. A gravel ramp is located on the upper end of the lake.

Given Big Creek Lake’s need for protection, swimming, skiing, sailing and camping are not permitted. Fox Landing, at the end of Howell’s Ferry Road, is the only boating and bank fishing access area on the lake.

About Big Creek Lake The 3,600 acre reservoir, completed in 1952, holds 17 billion gallons and is continually fed by groundwater, streams and rainfall. Photos show the construction of Big Creek Lake and spillway in 1952. The Lake was formed by impounding Big Creek, which flows into the Escatawpa River.

Popular Fish Species at this Lake

• Bluegill.
• Channel Catfish.
• Common Carp.
• Freshwater Drum.
• Largemouth Bass.
• Muskellunge.
• River carpsucker.
• Smallmouth Bass.

The Lake offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. Fishing is permitted in small engine, wide bodied boats. A concession boat launch is located at Fox Landing, at the end of Howell’s Ferry Road.