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Archive by tag: waterReturn

Collision on Black Hawk Lake Sunday sends two teens to the hospital

• 6/13/2023 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 3338

A collision between a personal watercraft (PWC) and a pontoon Sunday afternoon at Black Hawk Lake sent two Harlan teenagers to the hospital.

Drought watch in place with below normal rainfall in May

• 6/8/2023 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 3188

DES MOINES - The state of Iowa faced a dry May with only 2.54 inches of rainfall, which is just over half of its normal rainfall for the month. This lack of rainfall has led to deteriorating conditions in soil moisture and stream flows across the state. Southwest Iowa has been hit the hardest with less than two inches of rain, which is only 35 percent of expected May precipitation. As a result, Iowa's Drought Regions have been rated as "Drought Watch", indicating that at least three indicators in the ...

Drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake in Lewis and Clark State Park

• 6/6/2023 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 2865

ONAWA – Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. Launching boats is not recommended with the current low water levels.

Don’t be fooled by summer heat: Iowa’s waters are still dangerously cold

• 6/1/2023 3:56:00 PM
• View Count 2833

Summer heat entices many to plunge into local lakes to cool off. Air temperatures may soar into the 90s this weekend but water temperatures are much cooler, especially below the surface.

Water conservation alert declared for portions of northern Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County

• 5/26/2023 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 3307

AVOCA, Iowa - A mandatory nonessential water usage restriction is in effect immediately for the customers of the Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System. Regional Water Rural Water District has declared “Level Yellow,” the second of a system of progressive levels within its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

Boil order for portions of Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County

• 5/25/2023 3:51:00 PM
• View Count 2405

AVOCA, Iowa - Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County residents and businesses served by Regional Water Rural Water Association, PWS # 8300184, are being advised to boil their water before using it due to a problem in the distribution system resulting in a loss of pressure.

Maquoketa & North Fork Maquoketa Water Trail dedicated May 31

• 5/16/2023 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 7199

The Maquoketa & North Fork Maquoketa Water Trail, in Jackson County, will be officially dedicated as Iowa’s newest water trail during a public ceremony at 10 a.m., May 31, at Canton County Park along the Maquoketa River, in western Jackson County.

River Users Should Avoid Area Near Adel Wastewater Facility

• 5/16/2023 12:24:00 PM
• View Count 2115

ADEL--Persons recreating on the North Racoon River should avoid an area immediately below the Adel Wastewater Treatment Facility where a pool of partially treated waste has collected after a release on Monday.

Environmental Protection Commission to meet in Emmetsburg

• 5/11/2023 6:58:00 AM
• View Count 1899

DES MOINES— The Environmental Protection Commission will meet in Emmetsburg, Iowa to tour the Iowa Lakes Regional Water, Osgood Water Treatment Plant and Lost Island Lake on Monday, May 15.

Water Summary Update: April 2023 - Another dry month

• 5/4/2023 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 2269

DES MOINES — Rainfall in April was just over two inches but 1.5 inches below normal for the month. This comes after a drier than normal March. As a result, streamflows are down across much of the state, and conditions are generally deteriorating in the eastern two-thirds of Iowa. While all of the Drought Regions of Iowa are rated as “normal, " downward trends are shown in the state's central, northeastern, and southeastern parts. The US Drought Monitor introduced a small area of moderate drought in so...

Water Summary Update: March 2023 - First below normal precipitation month of 2023.

• 4/6/2023 2:07:00 PM
• View Count 3249

After four months in a row of above normal precipitation, totals for March came in lower than normal. 

Major restoration effort to improve Black Hawk Lake water quality

• 4/5/2023 9:13:00 AM
• View Count 3713

DES MOINES – A second and final season of dredging on Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, will start this week and is scheduled to end in early June. An additional two to three weeks of site clean-up and contractor demobilization will follow the dredging work.

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.

DNR investigating water release from livestock trailer wash

• 3/29/2023 10:43:00 AM
• View Count 2502

Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Field Office 4 were notified Tuesday afternoon of wash water release from an Iowa Select livestock trailer wash facility in Union County. 

State Revolving Fund Program announces loan forgiveness award recipients

• 3/23/2023 2:36:00 PM
• View Count 2292

The State Revolving Fund Program has chosen eight projects to receive loan forgiveness from the 2022 Clean Water SRF (CWSRF) Base Program and 2022 CWSRF Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental Funds.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources releases summary of PFAS sampling

• 3/23/2023 2:34:00 PM
• View Count 3191

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released a summary of PFAS testing of public water supplies from October 2021 to December 2022.

EPC to review solid waste rules, Air Quality draft budget and new participant in Solid Waste Environmental Management System Program

• 3/16/2023 12:31:00 PM
• View Count 2127

The Environmental Protection Commission will review adopted and filed rules related to solid waste, the Air Quality bureau’s draft budget for fiscal year 2024 and will be asked to approve designating the city of Muscatine as a participant in the Solid Waste Environmental Management System Program at its March 22 meeting.

Water Summary Update: February 2023 - New Iowa Drought Plan, continued wet conditions

• 3/9/2023 12:49:00 PM
• View Count 2584

This month’s Water Summary Update introduces the use of the 2023 Iowa Drought Plan (IDP). 

DNR releases Iowa Drought Plan

• 3/9/2023 12:47:00 PM
• View Count 3391

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has finalized a drought plan for use by local, county, state agencies and governments in the event of droughts in the state.

Applications open for DNR Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer subawards

• 3/2/2023 12:41:00 PM
• View Count 2292

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is ready to accept applications for Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer subawards, funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico division.

Hit to private sewer line causes wastewater spill in Bedford

• 2/28/2023 4:27:00 PM
• View Count 2926

A contractor for the city of Bedford accidentally hit a private sewer line while doing work on a water line Tuesday, causing wastewater to spill between 405 North and 102 Central Street. 

EPC to consider several contracts, rulemaking related to solid waste at Feb. 21 meeting

• 2/16/2023 12:52:00 PM
• View Count 5146

The Environmental Protection Commission will review adopted and final rules to consolidate regulations related to solid waste and consider contract amendments at its Feb. 21 meeting. 

New groundwater hazard statement rule now in effect

• 2/16/2023 12:50:00 PM
• View Count 6988

Changes to the groundwater hazard statement are now in effect. 

January Water Summary Update: Wetter than normal month, drought remains.

• 2/9/2023 12:39:00 PM
• View Count 5502

The start of 2023 was encouraging for water resources in Iowa. 

Black Hawk County receives funding for dozens of signs promoting creeks, watersheds

• 1/26/2023 12:04:00 PM
• View Count 9717

Black Hawk County will be implementing a few dozen new tools to promote conservation and awareness when staff install signs introducing Iowa’s creeks and watersheds later this year.

Groundwater Hazard Documentation rule changes effective Feb. 15

• 1/19/2023 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 9679

If you are in an industry using the groundwater hazard statement, circle Feb. 15 on your calendar. The statement will be changing on that date.

Water summary update for 2022 - Third year in a row of drought

• 1/5/2023 2:02:00 PM
• View Count 8477

2022 ended on a good note, with December’s precipitation above normal.

DNR issues Emergency Order to C6-Zero after explosion

• 12/16/2022 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 10512

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Friday issued an Emergency Order to C6-Zero Iowa LLC following an explosion and fire on December 8, 2022. 

Iowa’s native brook trout thrive in northeast Iowa streams thanks to restoration efforts

• 12/13/2022 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 7569

Years of work to protect and enhance the South Pine Creek watershed in Winneshiek County has allowed Iowa’s only native trout to thrive and continue to naturally reproduce in that stream.

Water Summary Update: Normal November rainfall, drought conditions remain

• 12/9/2022 1:34:00 PM
• View Count 5686

DES MOINES — The month of November ended with much of northwestern Iowa receiving below normal precipitation and southeastern Iowa observing above average totals.

Lake Restoration Program draft 2022 Report and 2023 Plan available for public comment

• 12/7/2022 1:10:00 PM
• View Count 6520

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2022 Lake Restoration Report and 2023 Plan, through December 21.

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.

Watershed improvement efforts help brook trout thrive in northeastern streams

• 12/1/2022 3:24:00 PM
• View Count 5526

Years of work to protect and enhance the South Pine Creek watershed in Winneshiek County have allowed Iowa’s only native trout to be protected, thrive and continue to naturally reproduce in that stream.

Four states partner in Operation Early Birds waterfowl hunting enforcement project

• 11/22/2022 11:36:00 AM
• View Count 4593

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined its fellow agencies in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska on a joint project to check waterfowl regulations compliance over a 36-hour period from the evening on Nov. 4 to the morning on Nov. 6.

Water Summary Update: October 2022 was 15th driest on record

• 11/10/2022 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 4240

DES MOINES — The month of October ended as the 15th driest on record, with a deficit of 1.80 inches of rainfall.  This marks the seventh month in a row of below-normal rainfall for the state.

DNR hires new storm water program coordinator

• 11/10/2022 2:18:00 PM
• View Count 3552

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a new storm water program coordinator.

Federal Clean Water Act celebrates 50 year anniversary

• 10/13/2022 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 4327

The Clean Water Act, created and passed in response to a nationwide movement advocating for the improvement and restoration of the country’s waters, is celebrating 50 years October 18, 2022.

Iowa DNR hiring seasonal water patrol officers

• 10/11/2022 12:09:00 PM
• View Count 7448

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking applicants to fill the position of seasonal water patrol officer at several lakes and rivers across the state.

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). 

Water Summary Update: Water Year ends on a downward trend

• 10/6/2022 2:53:00 PM
• View Count 2748

DES MOINES - After yet another month of below normal precipitation across the state, the water year ended with deteriorating conditions across Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Duck hunters encouraged to use safe boating practices while on the water

• 9/30/2022 2:39:00 PM
• View Count 3158

Duck hunters who hunt from a boat are encouraged to include boating safety as part of their hunting plan. Waterfowl hunters use boats on some of the coldest days of the year.

Duck season begins Oct. 1 in Iowa’s north zone

• 9/30/2022 2:31:00 PM
• View Count 3367

Waterfowlers have waited all year for this: for the next three weekends in Iowa, there will be an opening day for duck and goose hunting. The north zone opens on Oct. 1, the central zone opens on Oct. 8 and the south zone opens on Oct. 15. Each zone is open seven days, then close for seven days, before re-opening.

It's NOT a Rattlesnake!

• 9/23/2022 4:56:00 PM
• View Count 21330

Rattlesnakes can be scary. They have fangs and venom and can potentially kill or maim you if startled or threatened. Rattlesnakes are very uncommon in Iowa with the Timber Rattlesnake being the most widespread species.

Aggressive treatment planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found in the Iowa Great Lakes

• 9/13/2022 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 4186

SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start treating East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lake Minnewashta, and Lower Gar this week with the approved aquatic herbicide, Sonar A.S. to eliminate Eurasian watermoilfoil.

Water Summary Update: Drought expands in Iowa after another dry month

• 9/8/2022 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 2707

DES MOINES — Iowa’s August precipitation was 3.53 inches, or 0.6 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

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