Lamson Woods/Neff segment-Fairfield Loop Trail
Lamson Woods/Neff Trail - August 2012, Sept 2007, Building Bridge, Floods in 2008.
August 2012. Entering the Lamson Woods/Neff Wetlands segment from the east at Glasgow Road.
On the Neff Wetlands dike, wetlands to the left, Crow Creek to the right near the trees.
The boardwalk leading to the Crow Creek Bridge.
The trails in Lamson Woods, an Iowa state preserve, are for walking only.
Crossing over Crow Creek. Rather low this year of a drought.
Heading back east on the 326-foot-long boardwalk.
Watch the birds from the gazebo or just rest.
The gazebo is at the east end of the boardwalk.
Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, Aug 19, 2012
Lamson Woods/Neff Segment, Sept 2007
Leave your motorized device here. The Iowa Geology Kiosk is provided by the Sac & Fox Lapidary Club, dedicated to William A. Briggs.
Join the trail here, at the JCTC Information Kiosk.
The city's retired sewage treatment plant is buried under here.
Entering the Carl Zillman Bridge. The 80' replacement bridge was completed in July 2001.
Volunteers built the bridge and boardwalk using materials supplied by the Fairfield Lions Club.
Looking over at Crow Creek.
Crow Creek has gone down since the recent flood.
The 120' boardwalk extension to the Neff Wetlands was completed in October 2001.
After waiting for the wetlands dike to be completed, the additional 142' boardwalk was completed in August 2002.
The gazebo was assembled by volunteers from a kit supplied by the Simmons family. It is dedicated to Kempor Simmons.
This trail section runs along the top of the Neff Family Wetlands dike.
Let's go back to the parking lot. The wooden deck can get slippery.
The gate straight ahead leads into the Lamson Woods & Neff Family Walking Trails.
A donated bench, so you can contemplate Crow Creek.
Back towards the parking lot at Mint Blvd. Mint Blvd provides the connection to the South Trail.
Photos by Jeffrey Fitz-Randolph, Sept 2007
Building a bridge into Neff Wetlands -- Jan 2007
A new bridge was built in the Neff Wetlands near Glasgow Road, which enables trail users to easily cross Glasgow Road to travel between the Fry Trail and the Neff Wetlands/Lamson Woods Trail.
Here are some construction photos of volunteers building it.
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Photos by Ron Meyers, except for the last photo
Floods in 2008 at the Neff Wetlands
Spring rains in 2008 overflowed Crow Creek, which then flowed over and washed out part of the trail along the top of the dike.
As a temporary repair the Iowa DOT filled the holes in the dike and trail with mulch (next 3 photos).
Floods came again in Sept 2008 and overflowed the dike, but did not cause much damage (photos below).
In October 2008 permanent repairs were made to the dike and the trail, and no damage has been noted since then.
The Iowa DOT temporarily filled the holes with mulch. (June 1, 2008)
A closer view, east of the Lamson Woods boardwalk. (June 1, 2008)
Further east along the dike trail. (June 1, 2008)
By the middle of August the plants are high and the water in the wetlands is low.
Aug 15, 2008.
The trail is in good shape.
Aug 15, 2008.
Heavy rain in early September 2008 caused Crow Creek to overflow the dike (and trail) into the Neff Wetlands.
Little damage was found to the trail after the water receded.
September, 2008, during the flood. Water is overflowing the dike (and trail).
Crow Creek is to the left, well out of its banks, and overflowing the dike.
Further east along the trail, which is covered by water.
This is how the same place looked on June 1, 2008, before the Sept flood.
Looking west, just west of Glasgow Road, during the Sept flood. This section connects to the dike trail.
Same view as above, but taken on June 8, 2007.
In October 2008, permanent repairs were made to the dike and trail.
