Indian Fish Trap State Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian Fish Weir
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | Middle Amana, Iowa |
| Area | less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001122 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1988 |
The Indian Fish Trap State Preserve, also known as the Indian Fish Weir, is a special historical place. It is found near the Amana Colonies in a quiet part of Iowa County, Iowa. This unique structure is made of rocks arranged in a V-shape in the Iowa River. It is the only one of its kind in Iowa!
What is a Fish Weir?
A fish weir is like an ancient trap for fish. Imagine a big V-shape made of rocks in a river. The open part of the "V" faces upstream, where the water flows from. As fish swim downstream, they are guided by the rock walls towards the narrow point of the "V".
At this narrow point, it was easier for people to catch the fish. They might have used nets or spears. Sometimes, there was even a special pool nearby to keep the fish. This was a clever way for early people to get food from the river.
A Look Back in Time
No one knows exactly when the Indian Fish Weir was built. It might have been during the Late Prehistoric period or the Early Historic period. The people who built it likely used large rocks called glacial boulders. These rocks probably came from a nearby hill.
Each side, or "wing," of the V-shaped weir was about 155 feet (47 meters) long. This shows how much effort went into building it. Early settlers in the area found the weir. It was even shown on a map from the 1840s. An archaeologist named Charles R. Keyes wrote about it in 1925.
The Weir Today
For a long time, the weir would disappear under the water when the river was high. Today, part of the Coralville Reservoir covers the preserve. This can make the weir hard to see.
There are also three ancient burial mounds nearby. These mounds date back to the Early Woodland Period. In 1952, the fish weir was moved slightly. It became an official archaeological state preserve in 1976. Later, in 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites across the United States.
Sadly, the Iowa River has shifted over the years. In the 1990s, the fish weir seems to have been buried. It is now south of the main river channel. It might be covered in silt, which is like fine mud. Even if it's hidden, it remains an important part of Iowa's history.
