Page 67 - ISVB
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Other animals are so common along the IVSB places, the river itself is within sight of the Other specific scenic resources are listed
it is difficult to believe their numbers ever Byway� below:
dwindled in the state. These animals include ● the Iowa River waterway and its
turkeys—nearly extirpated by 1910, until A field inventory of the Iowa Valley Scenic surrounding habitats, both natural and
an aggressive reintroduction plan began in Byway’s visual features occurred in 1999. restored, such as large timber stands,
1965––and white-tailed deer. Finally, traces of This inventory built upon a 1998 evaluation of savanas, wetland restorations, and prairie
long-lost animals are found in the Corridor too: historic and cultural aspects of the Amana’s remnants,
finds of mastodon bones near Amana and at viewshed. The primary change to the Byway
Marengo could predate human populations in since 1998 has been the incremental increase ● the Bohemian Alps landform,
the area. of wetland restoration acreage, a change ● the checkerboard of pasturelands on the
which enhances the viewshed. Visual features hillsides and farm plots on more level
SCENIC include views (panoramas, scenes, and focal lands, including the site where Grant
points) and background features (elements
Scenic resources are areas of heightened that may not be noticed, but that affect the Wood created his famous “Young Corn”
visual experience derived from natural and quality of the view). Whether driving east painting,
manmade elements of the scenic byway or west on the Byway, roughly the same ● the landscape’s seasonal variability,
corridor. All elements of the landscape–– proportion of the IVSB received a good to ● the harmonious landscape of Amana
landform, water, vegetation, and manmade excellent rating for its visual quality. brick, stone, and wooden buildings and
development––contribute to the quality of the structures, and historic pine and willow
Corridor’s visual environment. Unlike natural The 1999 evaluation found the IVSB’s highest groves,
resources, which must be predominantly rated visual feature was vegetation, with
undisturbed, scenic resources can include the Iowa River creating a diverse vegetative ● milling features, including the Lily Lake,
man-made resources, so long as their theme across the Byway route. The 1999 Cherry Lake, and mill races,
scenic features are representative, unique, inventory likewise recognized the aesthetic ● pioneer cemeteries and rural churches,
irreplaceable, or distinctly characteristic of the value of the Amana Colonies. The second ● proposed Belle Plaine NRHP historic
Byway. In essence, the visual quality must be highest visual feature was landform elements, district,
positively memorable. especially the rolling hills framing the Byway, ● the Indian Fish Wier, and
called the Bohemian Alps along the west half
Many scenic features provide a sense of of the Corridor. Several view locations were ● Meskwaki homes dotting the landscape,
continuity across the Byway, with small noted as particularly scenic or distinctive and viewed from the adjacent Byway.
villages interspersed between wide open several backgrounds ranked high in quality.
spaces along the Iowa River valley. In most These are depicted on the map on page 63.
