A master plan to attract more people to the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge and Webster County is gaining momentum, according to Chad Schaeffer, the city’s director of engineering, business affairs and community growth.

“We are much closer to doing these projects than we were five or 10 years ago,” Schaeffer said. “We are right on the cusp of making some major improvements to the riverfront.”

Schaeffer, along with other city and county officials, was on hand for an open house to review the Des Moines River and Lizard Creek Water Trails and Corridor Plan Wednesday night.

More than 30 people attended the meeting at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

It was the last open house until the final report is reviewed by the Fort Dodge City Council in the coming weeks, Schaeffer said.

A large portion of the plan calls for removing both dams on the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge.

The Hydroelectric Dam and the structure commonly called the little dam, which is south of the Kenyon Road Bridge, are to be taken out within the next two years, Schaeffer said.

“Hopefully in the next 18 months or so we are in the heart of the deconstruction of the two dams,” Schaeffer said. “That’s the biggest piece of this.”

Schaeffer said it will be a multi-million dollar effort.

He said about $2 million from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources clean water program will be used for the dam removal.

About $2 million will also be used from the capital improvements plan with the city of Fort Dodge for dam removal, according to Schaeffer.

Some initial work to be done includes removal of trees and cleanup around the river.

“We are working on cleaning up and providing open viewsheds,” he said. “So if you are at the bottom of Central Avenue, the river is right there, but you can’t see it because there is a row of trees and bushes.”

“You’re only about 150 yards from it, but you can’t see it,” he added. “We want to go in and remove some trees and some of that undergrowth, so when you come down that hill from Central Avenue you can see the river.”

The goal is for more people to be able to see and use the river.

“We will have our bike trail system that runs by Central,” he said.

“Overall when you look at this entire plan, from dam removal, access to the river, fishing, taking out another small dam further north on Lizard Creek, you start developing the riverfront.”

Schaeffer said a lot of people at the open house expressed interest in fishing.

“A lot of people love to fish,” he said. “We are planning to remove the two dams and that’s where a lot of people fish right now, so we need to provide better access so people can drive or walk down.”

Handicap accessibility is another issue Schaeffer hopes is addressed.

“We want everyone to be able to experience the riverfront,” he said.

Schaeffer said another important aspect to the plan is taking care of the environment.

“We have erosion issues,” he said. “We have farmers farming right to the river edge. We need to put in some buffer strips and protect our environment. There is multifaceted goals with this project.”

Matt Cosgrove, Webster County Conservation director, said more people are kayaking, canoeing and fishing.

“The last couple of years we have definitely seen an increase in water trail activity,” Cosgrove said.

The biggest challenge with the project will be funding, he said.

“That’s why it’s a 20-year vision,” he said. “Some projects will take more money. Boat ramps and removing dams get to be pretty expensive.”

In the coming months, Cosgrove said he will be working with the city to help improve access to the river.

“We will open the canopy to see the river,” Cosgrove said. “Right now it kind of gets overgrown. We will be creating access areas where you can see the river, provide those vistas when you are on the trail or driving by so the river will be more visible.”