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After years of cloudy conditions, the Trout Run project is aiming for a brighter future for an essential water source in northeast Iowa.

• 5/23/2024 8:12:00 AM
• View Count 2091

A new phase of watershed project work has begun in Decorah with the approval of the Trout Run Watershed Plan. The Trout Run and Siewers Spring project, funded by EPA Section 319 grants, is a collaboration between the DNR 319 Program and DNR Fisheries. The project aims to provide increased technical assistance and cost-share for soil health and water quality practices for farmers and landowners in the watershed.

EPA recognizes project to restore Tete des Morts Creek in Jackson County

• 3/30/2023 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 3147

The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the Tete des Morts Watershed Project in Jackson County as a success story.

Black Hawk Lake restoration efforts receive national recognition

• 12/6/2022 8:56:00 PM
• View Count 5263

DES MOINES – Project partners behind a major restoration effort to improve water quality in Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, received national recognition for their achievements.

Public comment period for intent to withdraw Cedar River watershed nitrate TMDL

• 10/6/2022 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 3029

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the DNR’s intent to withdraw the Cedar River watershed nitrate total maximum daily load (TMDL). 

New recipients announced in Iowa DNR’s County Creek Sign Grant Program

• 9/1/2022 11:11:00 AM
• View Count 3189

DES MOINES—New signs that help bring awareness to Iowa’s creeks and watersheds will soon be installed in 33 counties, thanks to the Iowa DNR’s new County Creek Sign Grant.

Iowa DNR County Creek Sign Grant Program announced

• 5/12/2022 11:30:00 AM
• View Count 1866

DES MOINES—Conservation and natural resource groups interested in building awareness of Iowa’s creeks and watersheds can now apply for grants to put up signage. 

Join DNR watershed project groups for Earth Day

• 4/21/2022 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 970

DES MOINES - Earth Day provides many ways to enjoy our natural resources or simply to help. 

Easter Lake watershed improvement efforts receive national recognition

• 3/4/2021 3:11:00 PM
• View Count 2201

DES MOINES -- A project behind a major renovation effort to improve water quality in Easter Lake, located on Des Moines’ south side, has received national recognition.

Proposed Boone River water trail extension topic of Feb. 10 virtual public meeting

• 2/2/2021 1:22:00 PM
• View Count 1745

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Boone River Watershed Management Authority are hosting a virtual public meeting on Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., to discuss a proposal to extend the Boone River Water Trail from its current position in Webster City north to the Wright-Hancock County line.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for virtual shed antler hunting course

• 1/20/2021 6:40:00 AM
• View Count 14222

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free virtual shed antler hunting course to individuals who have little to no shed antler hunting experience or would like to further improve their current skills.

Online information available for addendum to Briggs Woods Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan

• 12/17/2020 11:34:00 AM
• View Count 1723

WEBSTER CITY – Iowans interested in an addendum of a DNR study to improve water quality in Briggs Woods Lake in Hamilton County can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.

DNR releases latest draft of 303d impaired waters list

• 12/1/2020 4:23:00 PM
• View Count 2860

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa DNR today shows 99 impairments are recommended to be removed from the 303d impairment list, once approved by the EPA.

New Dry Run Creek watershed sign raises awareness of project in Black Hawk County

• 10/29/2020 1:26:00 PM
• View Count 2592

CEDAR FALLS — Travelers along University Avenue and County Road D-18 in western Black Hawk County may have noticed a new highway sign marking a feature they may not have realized existed before – a watershed.

Meetings to discuss statewide lake bacteria water quality improvement plan available online

• 4/30/2020 2:09:00 PM
• View Count 2050

DES MOINES – Meetings originally scheduled to discuss results of a DNR study to improve water quality in lake environments for bacteria will move to an online-only presentation due to COVID-19 precautions.

DNR grant opportunity available to develop a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program

• 1/23/2020 12:11:00 PM
• View Count 2626

DES MOINES - The DNR’s Watershed Improvement Section is accepting applications for a grant to help develop a Statewide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program.

DNR to host meeting on Meadow Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan

• 9/26/2019 1:30:00 PM
• View Count 2607

GREENFIELD – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Meadow Lake in Adair County can attend a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion.

Time to start pre-application process for DNR grants to help improve local lakes, rivers and streams

• 12/13/2018 11:39:00 AM
• View Count 2571

DES MOINES — The DNR is now accepting pre-application questionnaires for grant funding that helps locally-led groups develop water quality improvement efforts in Iowa communities.

Howard County watershed improvement efforts drawing national attention

• 8/23/2018 1:55:00 PM
• View Count 3007

HOWARD COUNTY – Local efforts in Howard County to improve water quality are receiving national attention.

Local Iowa groups can receive financial assistance to launch clean water campaigns

• 7/12/2018 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 3765

DES MOINES — Beginning July 12, Iowa groups looking for help implementing innovative, regional and locally led Clean Water Awareness and Education Campaigns can apply for funding from the Iowa DNR Watershed Improvement Section.

Watershed project contracts on July 17 Environmental Protection Commission agenda

• 7/12/2018 1:30:00 PM
• View Count 2843

DES MOINES - Two contracts to reduce bacteria and nutrient loads in streams are up for commissioners’ approval at the July 17 Environmental Protection Commission meeting.

Iowans working to protect and improve water quality mark Soil and Water Conservation Week

• 4/30/2018 3:10:00 PM
• View Count 4840

Iowans working together in their communities and backyards to improve soil and water quality, many with the help of DNR assistance and funding, are marking Soil and Water Conservation week April 29-May 5 to celebrate their achievements and inspire others to begin work on their own land.

Trout thrive again in two northeast Iowa streams thanks to improvements

• 4/12/2018 11:56:00 AM
• View Count 13703

After struggling for years to sustain a population on their own, recent sampling shows native brook trout are again thriving in the Yellow River headwaters and Mullen Creek following work on the land to improve water quality. 

Statewide mussel survey and watershed work leads to stream segments coming off impaired waters list

• 2/1/2018 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 6931

COGGON — Canary in the coal mine? In Iowa, we have the mussel in the stream.

Students lead the charge to reclaim, rename "Sewer Creek"

• 11/7/2017 4:21:00 PM
• View Count 5465

In an effort to revive the creek, advanced placement biology students at Newton High School are gathering support from community leaders to change the name to Cardinal Creek through the U.S. Geological Survey. 

Meeting to discuss Green Valley and Thayer Lake water quality improvement plans

• 10/26/2017 11:32:00 AM
• View Count 3522

CRESTON – Iowans interested in the results of DNR studies to improve water quality in Green Valley and Thayer lakes in Union County can attend a meeting Nov. 8. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lakes to the meeting for discussion.

12 Mile Lake reclaims its reputation

• 8/9/2017 9:43:00 AM
• View Count 19485

This is one lake that’s hit its stride.

Iowans creating connections with creeks with signs

• 6/28/2017 2:39:00 PM
• View Count 11226

Thousands of motorists drive over Iowa’s waterways, big and small, each day. But unless it’s a major river, most people are crossing these streams unaware of what’s below. 

Upper Cedar River cleanup expedition set to launch in July

• 6/8/2017 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 4534

CHARLES CITY – Volunteers will have an opportunity this summer to spend their vacations cleaning up, learning about and exploring 55 miles of the upper Cedar River from the Iowa-Minnesota border to Nashua from July 10 to 14 as part of Project AWARE. Early registration ends June 16.

Kerns family deeply rooted in conservation

• 5/19/2017 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 13034

Jim and Jody Kerns’ belief in conservation and education is as deeply rooted as the trees that protect the banks along their Volga River property.

Clinton goes green for stormwater

• 4/27/2017 4:07:00 PM
• View Count 9872

Move over, gray. Clinton is going green.

Community rallies behind Catfish Creek

• 4/7/2017 11:52:00 AM
• View Count 7698

The urban development surrounding Upper Catfish Creek had taken its toll. 

Cedar River: the heart of Charles City

• 3/31/2017 10:14:00 AM
• View Count 13547

After Cedar River floodwaters hit hard in 2008 and 2016, even washing away the iconic century-old suspension bridge in 2008, you wouldn’t expect Charles City to embrace the river. 

Watershed efforts have lasting effects at Nine Eagles, Slip Bluff

• 3/28/2017 10:53:00 AM
• View Count 6317

Improving water quality is not an overnight success or a quick fix. It takes time, but it can also be sustained over the long haul – which two southern Iowa lakes have shown over the last decade.

Iowans celebrate water quality successes in annual review

• 3/23/2017 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 3778

DES MOINES — The efforts of Iowans to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers and streams have resulted in success stories across the state, and a new publication is showcasing some of the most impressive efforts over the last decade. 

Northeast Iowa goes wild for trout

• 3/16/2017 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 24694

​Things are getting even wilder in northeast Iowa. Watershed projects on northeast Iowa’s famed trout streams over the last two decades have improved water quality, and in turn, wild trout populations, fishing and tourism. By changing the way water comes into trout streams, watershed projects have kept excess sediment, nutrients and bacteria out of the water. 

Report highlights progress and long-term challenges of Iowa stream nutrient monitoring

• 12/22/2016 1:59:00 PM
• View Count 4560

DES MOINES -- A 2016 report of Iowa’s water monitoring efforts for nutrients highlights both the complexity and long-term value of evaluating nutrient levels in Iowa’s lakes, streams and rivers. 

Coralville Makes Green Strides for Water Quality

• 3/11/2016 7:24:00 AM
• View Count 10381

Generally, Coralville Lake, just upstream from its namesake town, does its job as a flood control reservoir. But the lake was no match for the floods of 1993 and 2008, creating millions of dollars in damages for the eastern Iowa town.

Lake Darling Takes the Spotlight Again Following Renovation

• 3/2/2016 5:43:00 AM
• View Count 11706

On the same September day 64 years earlier, legendary conservationist and Iowan Jay “Ding” Darling ceremoniously “set the gate” on the then newest and largest artificial lake in Iowa, Lake Darling.

Recycled Salt Brine Protects Roads - and Iowa's Streams

• 3/1/2016 4:29:00 AM
• View Count 18436

During cold and snowy Iowa winters, salt is a must to keep cars on the road. A new approach protects streams and creates a new product to help drivers make a safe trip.

Iowa State Parks Featured in America's Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots

• 2/23/2016 6:33:00 AM
• View Count 4782

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is searching for the top 100 family fishing and boating spots across the nation, and four Iowa state parks are among those being considered. Iowans participating in the vote can ensure their favorite places to boat and fish are recognized nationally.

A Return to Glory Days at Little Storm

• 2/17/2016 9:47:00 AM
• View Count 10753

Longtime Storm Lake Mayor Jon Kruse remembers the glory days of waterfowl hunting in Little Storm Lake during the 1960s and’70s, but by the early ‘80s the ducks were gone. The marsh became a silt-filled carp nursery with little vegetation.

Iowans Create Water Quality Successes in 2015

• 1/28/2016 10:45:00 AM
• View Count 4227

The efforts of Iowans in 2015 to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers and streams have resulted in success stories across the state, and more efforts are underway for 2016. Working with groups statewide, including the Iowa DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program, Iowans are making changes on the land to improve our waters.

Viking Lake Work Has Lasting Effect on Fishing, Water Quality

• 3/6/2015 6:35:00 AM
• View Count 7555

Once so thick with algae that the water looked more like green paint than water, southwest Iowa’s Viking Lake has been on the up and up since a major watershed improvement there wrapped up in 2009.Five years of monitoring Viking Lake in southwest Iowa reveals the lake is clean enough to be removed from the list of Iowa impaired waters for algae growth.

Water Quality Efforts Soak Up the Benefits in Monona

• 3/5/2015 5:00:00 AM
• View Count 6035

Imagine the flooding and runoff—and the destruction it could cause—from dumping 2,000 gallons of water on a parking lot in only one minute.

Wetlands Project Sinks Hole-in-one

• 3/5/2015 4:35:00 AM
• View Count 6713

The cackle of pheasants has returned along the north and west sides of Okoboji View Golf Course in Spirit Lake after a major watershed improvement project created wetlands and native prairie on 350 acres.

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