Watershed Success

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Iowa Watershed Successes

The DNR is helping Iowans across the state improve our lakes and streams by supporting and working with local watershed efforts. By working together to make changes in how we manage both private and public land, we can reduce the amount of pollution like sediment, nutrients and bacteria, reaching our water. The stories in our annual publication, Working for Clean Water - listed below - are just some of the many successes we've seen so far, and there's more work underway.

2016

Features:

  • Northeast Iowa goes wild for trout
  • Family grows conservation ethic
  • Lasting effects in Decatur County
  • River at the heart of Charles City
  • Community rallies behind Catfish Creek
  • 12 Mile Lake reclaims its reputation
  • Clinton goes green for stormwater
  • Creating connections with creeks

2015

Features:

  • Coralville makes green strides
  • Lake Darling takes spotlight again
  • Education leads to action
  • Return to glory days at Little Storm
  • A homegrown conservation ethic
  • Recycled water protects streams, roads
  • Water Rocks! inspires the next generation
  • Women work to protect the land

2014

Features:

  • Iowa Great Lakes wetlands project sinks hole-in-one
  • Viking Lake work has lasting effect
  • Prairie strips help farmers, land, water
  • Cooperation builds lasting results at North Bear
  • Landowners protect trout streams
  • Rice Lake returns
  • Soaking up the benefits in Monona
  • Central Park Lake poised for return

2013

Features:

  • Green Valley Lake shines again
  • Turkey River brings region together
  • Clear Lake anchors community
  • Ventura Marsh springs back
  • Fish structures protect Iowa's waters
  • Couple preserves Iowa legacy
  • Planning gives Big Wall Lake new life
  • Saving Little River Lake

2012

Features:

  • Dubuque builds a sustainable future
  • The rebirth of Iowa's oxbows
  • Cleaner water brings back trout
  • Conservation is a family affair
  • Giving Iowa streams some mussel
  • Celebrating Don Williams Lake
  • Planning gives Lake Hendricks new life
  • Lake Binder continues to shine

2011

Features:

  • Charles City reconnects with river
  • Farmers help namesake creek
  • Locals take pride in Lake Macbride
  • Master plan to guide Raccoon River’s future
  • Conservation ethic grows on Cedar Rapids roof
  • Small town of Diagonal embraces park, lake
  • Making a commitment to Spring Branch Creek

2010

Features:

  • It takes a village for Dry Run Creek
  • Kiowa Marsh makes a historic comeback
  • Protecting Rathbun Lake a six-county effort
  • Sustainability starts on Main Street for West Union
  • Clayton County couple’s conservation roots run deep
  • Ponds continue to protect Nine Eagles, Slip Bluff lakes
  • Lake Anita anchors community
  • Monitoring makes the difference

2009 

Features:

  • Bringing a shallow lake to life
  • Locals enjoy Briggs Woods' park, lake makeover
  • Carter Lake plans for clean water
  • Viking Lake battles algae, sediment
  • Decorah family champions conservation
  • Solution saves money, Clear Creek
  • Trout Run a lasting effort

2008 

Features:

  • Riparian areas defend our waters
  • Anglers drive for Twelve Mile catch
  • Coming together for Catfish Creek
  • Three Fires becomes hidden gem
  • Lovells create a Clear Lake legacy
  • Three Mile continues to shine
  • Effort brings Storm Lake together
  • Improvement with laser accuracy

2007 

Features:

  • Lake Darling makes a comeback
  • Locals defend Iowa’s Great Lakes
  • Trout streams revitalize Iowa towns
  • Bigalk Creek continues to flourish
  • Kerns family builds a conservation legacy
  • Partnerships protect Brushy Creek
  • Work protects Icaria investment
  • New tools make improvement easier
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Other Watershed Success Stories

For more information, see the Contact Watershed Staff Page

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