Stanley Mill Wildlife Management Area

The site totals 315 acres of floodplain lands that are subject to periodic flooding from the Iowa River. Iowa DOT reconstructed ephemeral water conditions that in dry weather times, allow water to slowly seep into the subsoil. Native emergent wetland vegetation typically found in Iowa floodplains has been planted including species like: prairie cord grass, cardinal flower and giant cattails. Thousands of bottom land trees have been planted including: silver maple, river birch, shagbark hickory, black walnut, American sycamore, eastern cottonwood, swamp white oak, bur oak, American elm, silky dogwood, elderberry buttonbush and wild plum.   

Stanley Mill is the name associated with this site due to the history of the Iowa River in pioneer times. Before the Iowa River was dredged straight, the river channel meandered in large loops and curves, as it found its way through the floodplain. A mill was built near the bluff land, and a dam was constructed to hold back the flow of water. Farmers could take raw grain to the mill to have it pulverized into much finer sizes for other product uses. The mill owner/operators were named Stanley. 

Resources

• Stanley Mill Management Area
• Stanley Mill Brochure

Amenities

Park Hours

Location

Located between Marietta Sand Prairie and Grammer Grove, west of Albion.