DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: WapelloReturn

Wapello Bottoms Wildlife Area adding to southeast Iowa’s recreation options

• 8/25/2021 8:17:00 AM
• View Count 3015

Sometimes, it seems when the stars are aligned, big things can happen. In this case, repeated flood events on the Iowa River in the early 2000s culminating with the flood of 2008 was the thing that allowed farmers who were tired of battling wet farmland to unload that headache and create a 2,800-acre public area.

DNR investigating black water entering Wapello County creek

• 7/19/2021 8:44:00 AM
• View Count 1518

CHILLICOTHE - Responding to a complaint received just before noon today, DNR staff found black water entering South Avery Creek about one mile southwest of Chillicothe in Wapello County.

Air Quality permits under review

• 5/13/2021 1:10:00 PM
• View Count 1528

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements

Iowa DNR adds four conservation officers

• 1/12/2021 12:36:00 PM
• View Count 5189

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources swore in four new state conservation officers on Jan. 8, who will undergo several months of training before reporting to their assigned territories later this year.

Public Meeting scheduled for timber sale at Lake Wapello State Park

• 10/13/2020 12:49:00 PM
• View Count 2086

DRAKESVILLE, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting on October 28, 2020 at 5:00pm at the Lake Wapello State Park Lodge, next to the beach area.  

DNR officials help rescue man in Lake Wapello

• 2/25/2020 7:40:00 AM
• View Count 3456

DRAKESVILLE, Iowa – Iowa DNR officials helped rescue a man that had fallen through the ice at Lake Wapello in Davis County Monday night around 5:30.

Odessa hunters should plan ahead for lower water levels this fall

• 9/3/2019 12:17:00 PM
• View Count 2655

Wapello, Iowa - The water at Lake Odessa will not be raised to normal levels for the 2019 Iowa waterfowl season to allow the area’s diverse forest resource to recover after prolonged major flooding by the Mississippi River.

Woman injured by shot allegedly fired by felon

• 1/8/2019 12:41:00 PM
• View Count 3392

WAPELLO COUNTY, Iowa -- The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office was called to Ottumwa Regional Hospital on January 4, 2019, around 7:45 p.m. for a female with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. 

Public meeting to discuss bird conservation area near Ottumwa

• 11/21/2017 11:43:00 AM
• View Count 3975

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Soap Creek, Fox Hills and Eldon Wildlife areas, Stephens State Forest, Lake Wapello State Park and Pioneer Ridge Nature Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) during a public meeting on Dec. 7. 

Sulfur Dioxide Data Requirements Rule Report Available for Public Review and Comment

• 5/16/2017 8:48:00 AM
• View Count 3288

The DNR is documenting significant reductions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in Des Moines and Wapello Counties in the first annual report required by the federal SO2 Data Requirements Rule (DRR).  The DRR requires an annual assessment of recent SO2 emissions in any area designated attainment based on air quality modeling of actual emissions.  

Wapello campground reopens

• 9/20/2016 1:28:00 PM
• View Count 6339

Wapello State Park, in southeast Iowa’s Davis County, will open its newly renovated campground on Sept. 30, just in time for the fall camping season.

11 Great Winter Cabin Getaways in Iowa State Parks

• 12/30/2015 8:26:00 AM
• View Count 88759

The quiet solitude that makes a perfect winter getaway is waiting for you in beautiful, comfortable year-round cabins at several Iowa state parks. It’s a great time to take advantage of hiking trails (many allow cross-country skiing and snowmobiling), wildlife watching (deer and birds galore), fishing and more.

Top Iowa Cabin Fall Getaways

• 11/6/2015 9:53:00 AM
• View Count 86137

Enjoy an overnight stay and the beautiful changing seasons in Iowa’s state parks.

6 Great Iowa State Parks for Spring Fishing

• 5/12/2015 11:41:00 AM
• View Count 19636

Spring is a great time to head out fishing, so grab a buddy, call up Dad or Mom, or load the kids into the car and get out there. Plan a day trip or spend the entire weekend at one of Iowa’s great state parks. Enjoy the beautiful weather and “hook” some memories that will last a lifetime.

Eight Historical CCC Parks in Iowa

• 3/31/2015 11:26:00 AM
• View Count 53842

From the iconic boathouse at Backbone, to the spillway at Beeds Lake, to the varied and beautiful stone lodges and shelters within so many of our parks, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Celebrate the CCC’s anniversary, March 31, by learning about these stand-out examples of CCC projects in Iowa.

Take a Winter Getaway in an Iowa State Park Cabin

• 12/5/2014 9:11:00 AM
• View Count 7119

From November through April, you can rent cabins at state parks for two-day minimums (instead of the week-long requirement during peak season). And you’ll still get to take advantage of hiking trails (many allow cross-country skiing and snowmobiling), wildlife watching (deer and birds aplenty!), ice fishing and more.

Take a Winter Getaway in an Iowa State Park Cabin

• 12/5/2014 5:16:00 AM
• View Count 11604

From November through April, you can rent cabins at state parks for two-day minimums (instead of the week-long requirement during peak season). And you’ll still get to take advantage of hiking trails (many allow cross-country skiing and snowmobiling), wildlife watching (deer and birds aplenty!), ice fishing and more.