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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: floodingReturn

Heavy rains lead to wastewater bypasses in central and southern Iowa

• 8/1/2024 3:30:00 PM
• View Count 4836

STATEWIDE -- Following heavy rainfall throughout central and southeast Iowa, the DNR encourages Iowans to stay out of streams until the waters recede. Heavy rain has inundated several areas and led to multiple wastewater discharges.

Flooding continues across Iowa: safety and cleanup reminders to help with recovery

• 6/27/2024 11:28:00 AM
• View Count 6008

While some parts of Iowa continue to experience high and rising flood waters, other communities are in recovery and clean-up mode.

Heavy rainfall in northwest Iowa leads to multiple wastewater treatment bypasses near the Okoboji Lakes area, public advised to avoid floodwaters

• 6/17/2024 2:56:00 PM
• View Count 6312

Heavy rainfall and power outages in northwest Iowa lead to multiple wastewater discharges in the Iowa Great Lakes area

Storm damage and flooding impact some Iowa state parks for Memorial Day weekend

• 5/23/2024 10:41:00 AM
• View Count 3722

Several Iowa state parks have been impacted by recent heavy rains and storms, causing closures in some areas. Visitors are urged to plan in advance heading into the holiday weekend in case a park activity or location is affected.

Heavy rainfall leads to multiple wastewater treatment bypasses, public advised to avoid floodwaters

• 5/22/2024 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 2833

Following days of heavy rainfall, flash flooding and Tuesday’s severe storms, multiple Iowa wastewater treatment plants have reported discharging untreated or partially treated wastewater. 

Flash flooding causing closures at Yellow River State Forest

• 7/1/2021 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 2204

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, Iowa – Recent heavy rainfall has caused some significant road damage at Yellow River State Forest.

Feedback requested on information gathered for lower Missouri River flood risk management project

• 9/10/2020 11:55:00 AM
• View Count 2276

DES MOINES -- The Iowa DNR and partner agencies are requesting Iowans’ review of information gathered from a series of public meetings held this summer to identify areas prone to flooding along the Missouri River in Iowa.

Meetings announced regarding lower Missouri River flood risk management

• 7/9/2020 1:39:00 PM
• View Count 3830

DES MOINES -- Three upcoming stakeholder meetings will help identify and prioritize problem areas along the Missouri River as part of a larger multi-state effort to address flooding in the lower Missouri River basin. 

Iowa DNR partnering on solutions for lower Missouri River flood risk management

• 6/25/2020 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 2691

DES MOINES -- The Iowa DNR is working with stakeholders and agencies from across the Missouri River basin to identify problem areas and potential solutions for flood impacts along the lower Missouri River. 

Heavy rainfall closes George Wyth State Park

• 6/25/2020 9:00:00 AM
• View Count 2816

WATERLOO, Iowa – Heavy rainfall the past several days has caused flooding issues forcing the closure of George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County.

Water Summary Update: Drier February improves stream levels across Iowa

• 3/5/2020 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 2283

DES MOINES — With a drier February, stream levels have improved across much of the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Strong storms in northeast Iowa cause flooding, closures at Yellow River State Forest

• 9/16/2019 8:12:00 AM
• View Count 2622

HARPERS FERRY, Iowa – Flash flooding has forced closures at Yellow River State Forest campgrounds and trails.

Heavy rainfall causes multiple wastewater and manure releases

• 5/29/2019 6:43:00 AM
• View Count 2846

SPENCER -- Following heavy rainfall and flash flooding throughout much of Iowa, the DNR encourages Iowans to stay out of Iowa streams until after the waters recede.

Heavy rains, flooding causing park closures across Iowa

• 5/26/2019 6:15:00 PM
• View Count 3895

DES MOINES, Iowa – Rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall lately is forcing some state parks to be closed this Memorial Day weekend.

Water Summary update

• 5/9/2019 2:44:00 PM
• View Count 3063

DES MOINES – While most stream flows continue to drop and April had below-average rainfall, the past 12 months set records for the wettest May to April period in Iowa’s history. Surrounding states have also experienced record wet years.

Asbestos regulations streamlined in flooded areas

• 5/2/2019 11:23:00 AM
• View Count 3939

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is providing flexibility on some asbestos requirements while still protecting public health in flood damaged areas. Working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the DNR is reducing some asbestos reporting deadlines and providing options for asbestos inspections for renovation projects.

DNR provides critical assistance during historic Iowa flooding

• 3/25/2019 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 5432

WESTERN IOWA -- DNR conservation officers and park rangers have responded in droves providing crucial equipment and fulfilling extraordinary public safety rescue missions.

Glenwood, Pacific Junction, Hamburg residents urged to conserve water following impacts from flooding

• 3/18/2019 12:44:00 PM
• View Count 2587

SOUTHWEST Iowa – The major flooding events in southwestern Iowa are impacting some water plants and wells, surrounding them by floodwaters or inundating them.

Flooding causing closures at state parks

• 3/14/2019 2:34:00 PM
• View Count 5092

The current flooding impacting parts of Iowa is also causing some closures at state parks and recreational areas throughout the state.

Snow melt, rainfall and flooding cause wastewater discharges in parts of the state

• 3/14/2019 8:32:00 AM
• View Count 3101

DES MOINES - Heavy rainfall, fast snow melt, ice jams and flooding starting in northwest Iowa caused several wastewater discharges from city treatment plants.

DNR cautions Iowans to stay safe and avoid flood waters

• 10/11/2018 3:29:00 PM
• View Count 2685

WINDSOR HEIGHTS - Heavy rainfall and extensive flooding throughout most of the state makes many Iowa streams unsafe for recreation.

Moderate flooding at the Manchester Fish Hatchery

• 10/3/2018 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 3629

MANCHESTER – Saturated soils and heavy rain on Oct. 1 caused moderate flooding at the Manchester Fish Hatchery. Water was about three feet above the tops of the lower raceways and ½ inch from entering the office building.  

Severe flooding in northwest Iowa causes multiple wastewater and manure discharges

• 9/20/2018 5:27:00 PM
• View Count 2840

SPENCER - Following heavy rains and extensive flooding in northwest Iowa, the DNR encourages Iowans to stay out of floodwaters until after the waters recede.

Several state parks impacted by recent heavy rains, flash flooding

• 9/4/2018 1:14:00 PM
• View Count 6073

Several state parks are experiencing impacts from the recent heavy rainfall forcing closures of the parks and many trails

Flooding causes more closures of state parks, trails and campgrounds

• 6/21/2018 4:12:00 PM
• View Count 8309

The recent heavy rainfall has caused major flooding concerns in northern and northwestern Iowa, which has led to closures of some state parks.

Storms cause park flooding, closures

• 5/4/2018 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 3436

Heavy rains overnight have forced the closure of George Wyth State Park and portions of Dolliver State Park.

Water Summary Update shows expanding dry areas in Iowa

• 7/13/2017 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 4333

DES MOINES – Despite some rainfall across the state and local flooding in northeast Iowa, there is a growing area of dry conditions now covering almost half the state.

Water Summary Update: 2016 Water Year much wetter than normal

• 10/11/2016 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 7085

DES MOINES— The 2016 Water Year (ending September 30, 2016) brought a statewide average precipitation of almost 45 inches, 9.6 inches more than normal. This ranks as the third wettest water year among 144 years of record.

Lake Odessa in Louisa County impacted by flood

• 9/30/2016 2:45:00 PM
• View Count 4930

WAPELLO - The Lake Odessa Complex in Louisa County is currently being impacted by major flooding on the Mississippi and Iowa Rivers.

Flooding in northern Iowa impacts some public areas and raises baiting questions

• 9/23/2016 3:19:00 PM
• View Count 4625

DES MOINES - It will not be a run-of-the-mill type of opener for many waterfowl hunters in northern portions of the state on Saturday. Extensive flooding has impacted some of the more popular public areas and also raises questions on when hunting flooded fields might be considered baiting.

Intense rainfall in northern Iowa creating a number of environmental issues, park closures

• 9/22/2016 4:15:00 PM
• View Count 8035

DES MOINES – People with private drinking wells in flooded areas are being urged by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to use caution before using water from those sources.

Flooding Impacts Aldo Leopold Wildlife Area Ahead of Dove Hunting Season

• 8/30/2016 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 4638

The 1,350-acre Aldo Leopold Wildlife Area in southeast Bremer County has experienced significant flooding from storms that rolled through northeast Iowa last week. The area is popular with dove hunters and with the season opening on Thursday, hunters who were planning to hunt the area are advised to scout it again before heading out.

George Wyth State Park Closed due to Flooding

• 8/27/2016 5:25:00 PM
• View Count 4230

WATERLOO – George Wyth State Park in Waterloo has been closed due to flooding.

Big Spring Hatchery Evacuates Trout Due to Flood Threat

• 8/26/2016 10:39:00 AM
• View Count 6046

You know the flooding is bad when even fish have to be evacuated.

Heavy Rains Close Campgrounds at Yellow River Forest Heading into the Weekend

• 8/25/2016 3:23:00 PM
• View Count 4821

DES MOINES - Recent rains in northeast Iowa led to flooding in the Yellow River State Forest area and all four forest campgrounds are closed for the weekend. 

State Parks Impacted by Recent Rains

• 7/19/2016 12:45:00 PM
• View Count 9087

People planning park visits in the near future are reminded to check on current conditions before heading out. Several Iowa state parks have been impacted by recent heavy rainfalls.