Lake Red Rock
About Lake Red Rock
Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake at nearly 19,000 acres, formed by a dam on the Des Moines River. The Army Corps of Engineers manages the surrounding lands as wildlife habitat, and the combination of open water, emergent marsh, and riparian woodland makes it one of south-central Iowa's most productive birding destinations. Bald eagles are a reliable winter presence; American white pelicans use the lake heavily in migration; and the gull flocks that work the tailwaters below the dam regularly turn up Bonaparte's and the occasional rarity.
Species to look for
- Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia
- Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
- Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Photographer notes
The tailwaters below Red Rock Dam on the east end of the lake concentrate eagles and gulls whenever water is being released. The Howell Station Recreation Area on the north shore offers good sunset light over the lake. Pelicans work the open water from late March through April and again in September — scan from the marina areas on the south shore. A spotting scope is useful for scanning the far shorelines for diving ducks in fall.
Getting there
Located south of Pella, Iowa. IA-163 bisects the lake. The Red Rock Visitor Center is on the north side of the dam, off County Road T15. Multiple recreation areas around the perimeter with free parking. The dam overlook area is open year-round.
Map
Ethics and responsible access
Stay on paved overlooks and established trails near the dam — the rocky tailwater area below the dam can be hazardous. Eagle nesting pairs in the surrounding woodlands have established territories; give wide berth to any nest sites marked by refuge staff in spring.