DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

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

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: WapsiReturn

Different habitats on the Upper Wapsi Wildlife Area attracts and supports diverse wildlife

• 5/30/2023 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 5601

The Upper Wapsi Wildlife Area is returning to a mix of wetlands, timber, and prairie that traditionally would make up this area, hosting various wildlife from sandhill cranes, Canada geese, red-shouldered hawks, bobolinks, pheasants, to wild turkeys, blandings turtles, smooth green snakes and white-tailed deer.

Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning, Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit

• 3/27/2023 3:51:00 PM
• View Count 2764

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit in Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer and Buchanan counties.

Oxbow restoration project returns unique ecosystem to Cedar Rock Wildlife Area

• 2/13/2023 9:45:00 AM
• View Count 6212

Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit were working to install wetlands on the Cedar Rock Wildlife Area when the opportunity to restore an oxbow on the Wapsipinicon River came along.

The Walter House

• 10/25/2022 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 3311

Quasqueton-native Lowell and Agnes Walter wanted to build a house for their retirement overlooking the Wapsipinicon River, near his hometown. The Des Moines couple owned Iowa Road Building Company in Des Moines and a farm management business in Buchanan County that amassed around 5,000 acres.

Oxbow restoration project returns unique ecosystem to Cedar Rock Wildlife Area

• 10/25/2022 11:32:00 AM
• View Count 2940

Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit were working to install wetlands on the Cedar Rock Wildlife Area when the opportunity to restore an oxbow on the Wapsipinicon River came along.

State record smallmouth buffalo caught in lower Wapsipinicon River

• 4/12/2022 3:31:00 PM
• View Count 1377

John Dirks, from Anamosa, caught a 43 pound smallmouth buffalo on December 1, 2021 in the lower Wapsipinicon River. 

With its prairie established, Wapsi Flats Wildlife Area is starting to attract attention

• 8/3/2021 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 1910

Heading north on the Asherton Avenue just before the Howard-Chickasaw County line, is a mile-long prairie covered with yellow flowers. The prairie replaced the "Swamp Farm," as it was referred to by its former owner due to its almost constant wetness, and is now the Wapsi Flats Wildlife Area.

Intro to Turkey Hunting workshop set for April 10

• 3/30/2021 12:54:00 PM
• View Count 2966

DeWitt - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Woods + Waters Project are holding an Intro to Turkey Hunting Workshop, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wapsi Valley Izaak Walton League, near DeWitt.

Iowa DNR to Conduct Prescribed Fires on State Managed Areas

• 3/25/2021 8:28:00 AM
• View Count 1856

SUMNER, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Cedar-Wapsi Wildlife Unit in Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer and Buchanan counties.

DNR to hold virtual public meeting for timber sale at Wapsipinicon State Park

• 10/20/2020 1:04:00 PM
• View Count 1998

ANAMOSA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, October 22 at 10:00am to discuss a timber sale at Wapsipinicon State Park.

DNR state parks making progress with derecho damage

• 9/1/2020 1:20:00 PM
• View Count 4767

Three weeks after a devastating derecho tore through a large portion of Iowa, and left major damage to residential neighborhoods, farms and cities, state parks across Iowa continue their clean-up efforts.

Four state parks remain closed through August following derecho

• 8/21/2020 1:28:00 PM
• View Count 3608

DES MOINES, Iowa – Four state parks will remain closed until at least August 31, 2020 following the derecho that left major storm damage across much of the state on August 10.

Iowa DNR to conduct prescribed fires on state managed areas

• 3/12/2020 8:41:00 AM
• View Count 2254

SUMNER, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Cedar-Wapsi Wildlife Unit in Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer and Buchanan counties.

5 Hidden Surprises at Wapsipinicon State Park

• 7/3/2019 2:57:00 PM
• View Count 10448

Wapsipinicon State Park is a hole-in-one—and we’re not just talking about its golf course. Often referred to as Wapsi, this park is unlike any other Iowa state park because of its especially unique beginnings and natural history. With the help of Park Manager Dennis Murphy, here’s five hidden surprises waiting to be explored at Wapsipinicon. 

Partnership project leads to diverse wetland

• 6/18/2019 2:04:00 PM
• View Count 3549

FAIRBANK, Iowa - Fans in the stands of the Wapsi Valley Warriors football stadium have taken notice of the large birds with long necks and grinding, raspy calls flying overhead during games in recent years. The once rare sight has become more common as the local sandhill crane population at Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area continues to expand.

Littleton Dam removal on the Wapsipinicon River may create hazardous ice conditions

• 2/6/2019 1:39:00 PM
• View Count 4387

LITTLETON, Iowa -- A construction project on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County to replace the Littleton Dam with a rapids, may create hazardous ice conditions on the river upstream. Work is expected to start on Monday, Feb. 11.

Floodwaters damage Sweet Marsh Wildlife Area

• 7/31/2017 8:35:00 AM
• View Count 5468

TRIPOLI, Iowa - Heavy rainfall last weekend in the Wapsipinicon and Plum Creek watersheds in Chickasaw and Bremer counties has caused a 60 foot by 40 foot section of the dike on Martens Lake on the Sweet Marsh Wildlife Management Area to fail. The breach likely occurred during the night of July 23. 

Meet Wapsipinicon, one of Iowa's most unique state parks

• 11/4/2016 3:31:00 PM
• View Count 49575

Thus endures one of the many stories, myths, legends and even proven historical facts about Horse Thief Cave, a well-known feature of what is now Wapsipinicon State Park, and, though its tale-inspiring caves are definitely a main draw, Wapsipinicon is so much more. 

Still Looking for a Place to Host Your Holiday Gathering?

• 12/1/2015 6:59:00 AM
• View Count 5326

Are you the one responsible for planning your holiday get-together or company party? Still need a place to host it? You might want to check out several state park lodges open year-round.

Foraging Wild Iowa: A Trip on the Wapsi

• 7/23/2015 10:06:00 AM
• View Count 13220

A Vermonter and wild food expert spend a Wapsipinicon weekend living off the land in Grant Wood Country.

7 Iowa Fish With Open State Records: How to Catch a Record Fish

• 6/9/2015 10:51:00 AM
• View Count 12769

Put your name as the first entry in the history books by catching one of these seven fish species we added to the eligible State Record Fish species list in 2013. With no records for these fish currently,you can be the first to set the record! Try these tips to help you catch a record fish.

8 Surprising Memorial Day Camping Getaways

• 5/1/2015 10:22:00 AM
• View Count 20389

Not all hope is lost when it comes to finding a place to camp this Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25. For those who like a little more quiet, don’t mind more primitive camping or are willing to take a chance on a first-come, first-served or “walk-in” campsite, here are some nice possibilities. Try kicking off the summer season with one of these lesser-known state parks: