Rathbun Lake 2023 Visitor ’ s Guide
The Rathbun Lake Visitor ' s 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 to the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers for assisting with content .
General Manager / Editor : Kyle Ocker Graphic Design : Kyle Ocker Operations Manager : Traci Counterman Photography : Maxwell Thomason , Associate Editor : Emily Hawk
TwoDays Photography , Ottumwa Courier file , U . S . Army Corps of Engineers . Advertising : Jodi German , Tyler Goodell , Bethany Bowen , Ashley Coyne
Cover photo by Maxwell Thomason and Tylor Durbin
Index
4 Welcome 7 General Info 8 What ’ s New 10 Picnicking 11 Beaches 12 Boating 14 Camping 20 Maps 24 Partnering with
Public Lands 25 Trails 26 Fishing 28 Archery 29 Hunting 30 Wildlife 32 Calendar of Events
Daily weather readings at Rathbun Lake
• Know the current lake conditions .
• Be aware of forecasted weather .
• Always wear your life jacket .
For daily weather readings :
• Call 1-641-647-2464
• Visit nwk . usace . army . mil / locations / district-lakes / rathbun-lake / or facebook . com / usacerathbunlake The U . S . Army Corps of Engineers records weather readings at 7:30 a . m .
Activities & Amenities
• Boat Access / Ramps
• Boat Rental
• Picnic Area
• Beaches
• Trails
• Playgrounds
• Restrooms
• Camping
County : Appanoose
Location : 8 miles northeast 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
General Information
• Concessions
• Showers
• Drinking Water
• Dump Stations
• Horseshoe Pits
• Self Pay Stations
• Wildlife Educators
• Restaurants
Drainage areas : 549 sq . miles 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 Phone Numbers Ambulance - Fire - Sheriff : Call 911 Marine Emergency : Channel 16 Weather Radio Alerts : 162.425 Mhz
Albia Chamber of Commerce 641-932-5108 albiachamber @ albiachamber . org
PACT Iowa ( Centerville ) 641-437-4102 chamber @ centervilleia . com
U . S . Army Corps of Engineers 641-647-2464 rathbun @ usace . army . mil nwk . usace . army . mil / Locations / District-Lakes / Rathbun-Lake
Visitor Information
Park numbers active May through September Federal Campsite Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or recreation . gov Iowa Dept . of Natural Resources Honey Creek State Park 641-724-3739 state . ia . us / dnr / organiza / ppd / honeycrk . html
Wildlife Management 641-535-6765 Web page : iowadnr . com / wildlife / index . html
Rathbun Fish Hatchery 641-647-2406 mark . flamming @ dnr . iowa . gov state . ia . us / dnr / organiza / fwb / fish / programs / hatchery / rathbun . htm
Reservations in Corps-managed areas
For campsites and day use shelters , call 877-444-6777 or visit recreation . gov .
Honey Creek State Park campsites
Campsites are reservable . Call 641-724-3739 ( Park ). Visit iowastateparks . reserveamerica . com or call 1-877-IAPARKS .
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