Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collectons
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Bathhouse . . . at the new swimming beach is constructed and panel siding provides changing areas and toilets for both men and women. The structure faces north and also houses a well which furnishes drinking water. Just south of the bathhouse is a concession stand built in the newly opened section by Harold Alger of Missouri Valley who also operates the concession near the south entrance off the road from Loveland.
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New boat launching . . . facilities are located at the south end of the lake. The concrete, six-lane ramp with docks is inspected by manager Dybsetter. This facility replaces a temporary unit to the north which has been closed. Swimming is no longer allowed in this section. Other added features at DeSoto Bend are picnic areas, a new "no-wake" zone for fisherman, two special areas open for mushroom hunters during May. --Nonpareil Photos.
New beach area : Swimmers or sunbathers will find a new 1,000-foot sandy beach ready for them this summer at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge west of Missouri Valley. The swimming area has been relocated to the inside of the bend southeast of the refuge headquarters. Access to the area, however, is only by a new riverbed. A total of 13 1/2 miles of surfaced roads will be open to visitors this spring. About half the roads are blacktopped, the balance gravel. Opening day is May 1.
Sign says "Leaving DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge."
Man kneeling next to frozen water with a tape measure and axe laying on the ground.
History, nature, recreation enough for everyone at DeSoto Refuge
Jim Frates . . . manager of DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, demonstrates giant bellows removed from the hull of the steamship Bertrand. Frates said the bellows were used to created extra heat in the boilers of the vessel, which sank more than 100 years ago in the untamed Missouri River. Nonpareil Photo.
Add 6,000 acres . . . federal plans call for a bigger Ox Bow Lake
Looking north . . .across the Ox Bow Lake proposal. Dotted line at lower left indicates the approximate course the Missouri River channel would take. Land area in center would became wildlife refuge. Sealed off river loop would become a lake.
Engineers to be finished in 1960. DeSoto Bend time-table advanced 2 years
Now ice bound . . . this section of the Missouri River will become a part of the DeSoto Ben Lake after a new river channel is cut by Army Engineers. Timbered area to right will become a wildlife refuge. --Nonpareil Photo.
Looking over a marker designating the excavation site of the sunken steamship Bertrand at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is refuge staff member Ed Loth. The maker is one of the projects created by the Youth Conservation Corps and was on display during the annual open house Saturday at the refuge. The YCC program for high school students ends Aug 1. -Nonpareil Photo.
High water problem continues. DeSoto Refuge to get new pump for draining water
Littering the boat ramp . . . are a number of pilings that have been pulled out of the lake by DeSoto Refuge employe[e]s. Refuge officials say the lake has quite a lot of drift that could be dangerous to boaters. Jerry Jauron, an Iowa river official, says the drift problem is a "fantasy" and the pilings on the ramp were put there to make people think there is a problem. --Nonpareil Photo.
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Federal commission closes DeSoto boating
Covered parking lot . . .shows the high water level at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. The parking lot is near the south launching dock area of the refuge. --Nonpareil Photo.
Visitor center entrance of De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
The new visitor's center at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is taking shape, with about 80 percent of the major concrete work now completed. Jack Wilson, construction manager, said work has started on the roof and interior, and there should be no trouble enclosing the building before winter. "We're about 25 days behind, but the main thing is the get the concrete poured before the cold weather comes. We've got that." he said. Wilson said the time was lost when two strikes shut down construction last summer. --Nonpareil photo by Cindi Keithley.
Guests examine . . . the entrance to the new visitor center that was opened Saturday at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. The center houses artifacts from the steamboat Bertrand that sank in the Missouri River in 1865 and recovered in 1969. Gov. Robert Ray and numerous state and local officials attended the ceremony. -Nonpareil photo.