Rathbun Lake 2022 Visitor ’ s Guide
The Rathbun Lake Visitors Guide is published annually by The Ottumwa Courier , a division of CNHI , LLC . All rights reserved . Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited .
A special thank you The U . S . Army Corps of Engineers for assisting with content and to Jim and Paulette Day of TwoDays Photography for providing pictures for the magazine .
Publisher : Ron Gutierrez Editor : Kyle Ocker Associate Editor : Emily Hawk Advertising : Jodi German , Tyler Goodell
Graphic Design : Shanelle Yahn
Photos from : Ottumwa Courier file , U . S . Army Corps of Engineers , TwoDays Photography index
2 Welcome 4 General Info 5 What ’ s neW 7 PIcnIckInG 8 Beaches 10 BoatInG 12 camPInG 18 maPs 22 Bald eaGles 24 traIls 26 archery 28 fIshInG 30 huntInG 31 WIldlIfe
Daily Weather Readings At Rathbun Lake
• Know the current lake conditions
• Be aware of forecasted weather
• Always wear your life jacket
• US Army Corps of Engineers records weather readings at 7:30 a . m . For daily weather readings : - Call 1-641-647-2464
- Visit www . nwk . usace . army . mil / locations / district-lakes / rathbun-lake / or www . facebook . com / usacerathbunlake
Activities and Amenities
• Boat Access / Ramps
• Boat Rental
• Picnic Area
• Beaches
• Trails
• Playgrounds
General Information
County : Appanoose Location : 8 miles north east of Centerville Acres : 11,000 Elevation , feet above sea level : Top flood control pool . 926 Top multi-purpose pool . 904 Surface Area , acres : Top flood control pool 21,000 Top multi-purpose pool 11,000
• Restrooms
• Camping
• Concessions
• Showers
• Drinking Water
• Dump Stations
• Horseshoe Pits
• Self Pay Stations
• Wildlife Educators
• Restaurants
Drainage areas : ( square miles ) 549 Shoreline miles : 155 The Dam : Type - Rolled earth Length , ft . ( overall ) 10,600 Height , ft . ( above streambed ) 101 Width , ft . ( crown ) 30 Width , ft . ( base ) 800 Emergency Spillway - Uncontrolled Chute
Emergency P hone Numbers Non-emergency
• Ambulance - Fire - Sheriff : Call 911
• Marine Emergency - Channel 16
• Weather Radio Alerts - 162.425 Mhz
• Appanoose County Law Center : ( 641 ) 437-7100
Visitor Information
• Albia Chamber of Commerce ( 641 ) 932-5108 albiachamber @ albiachamber . org
• Centerville-Rathbun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce ( 641 ) 437-4102 chamber @ centervilleia . com
• U . S . Army Corps of Engineers ( 641 ) 647-2464 rathbun @ usace . army . mil www . nwk . usace . army . mil / Locations / District-Lakes / Rathbun-Lake /
Park Numbers Active May through September
• Buck Creek Park ( 641 ) 724-3206
• Federal Campsite reservations 1-877-444-6777 www . Recreation . gov
• Iowa Dept . of Natural Resources - Honey Creek State Park ( 641 ) 724-3739 www . state . ia . us / dnr / organiza / ppd / honeycrk . html
• Wildlife Mgt ( 641 ) 535-6765 http :// www . iowadnr . com / wildlife / index . html
- Rathbun Fish Hatchery ( 641 ) 647-2406 mark . flamming @ dnr . iowa . gov www . state . ia . us / dnr / organiza / fwb / fish / programs / hatchery / rathbun . htm
Reservations in US C orps of Engineers Park Areas
• For Individual campsites
• For Group camp areas
• For Day Use Shelters
Information on Honey Creek State Park Campsites
• Campsites are reservable
• Call ( 641 ) 724-3739 ( Park )
• Visit iowastateparks . reserveamerica . com or Call 1-877-IAPARKS
Call 1-877-444-6777 Visit www . Recreation . gov Or visit Buck Creek Park Booth
4 Rathbun Lake