Operation Dry Water Highlights Boating Safety Heading Into Holiday Weekend 7/1/2016 9:24:00 AM View Count 4301 DES MOINES – More than 700 vessels containing more than 2,200 boaters were contacted as part of Operation Dry Water during the weekend of June 25-26.
Water Main Broken in City of Callender; Boil Advisory Issued 6/27/2016 3:21:00 PM View Count 3542 CALLENDER – A water main was broken in the city of Callender in Webster City on Monday during work to install storm sewers.
Water Summary Update Notes High Temps, Good Groundwater Levels 6/23/2016 3:11:00 PM View Count 3904 DES MOINES—Groundwater levels remain good across Iowa, while the National Drought Monitor shows an expanding area of dryness in southeast Iowa.
Operation Dry Water Starts June 24 6/21/2016 1:20:00 PM View Count 61392 DES MOINES - A group of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies will partner to focus enforcement of Iowa’s boating while intoxicated law as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence.
Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers 6/21/2016 11:26:00 AM View Count 5366 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.
Water Summary Update Notes Dry Areas in South Central Iowa, Above Normal Streamflows 6/9/2016 1:15:00 PM View Count 3891 DES MOINES—A small patch of Iowa is abnormally dry for this time of year, according to the National Drought Monitor, with the rest of the state in a normal range.
DNR Program Helps Iowa Communities Monitor Drinking Water for Microcystin 5/26/2016 1:34:00 PM View Count 4877 DES MOINES – Iowa public drinking water supplies will have an opportunity to participate in a voluntary microcystin monitoring program.
Boaters Urged to Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers 5/24/2016 1:32:00 PM View Count 6949 The Iowa DNR is encouraging all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.
Bottled Water Advisory Issued in Bristow in Butler County 5/12/2016 12:46:00 PM View Count 3756 BRISTOW – The city of Bristow has issued a bottled water advisory to be in effect until the pump for the city’s main well is replaced next week or until test results show water is safe to drink.
Anamosa Bottled Water Advisory Lifted; Chemical is Not a Risk to Residents 5/10/2016 8:30:00 AM View Count 3099 ANAMOSA – DNR lifted the bottled water advisory for Anamosa at 6 p.m. Monday after Viking Chemical Company’s toxicologist identified an unknown chemical that entered the water on Friday night.
Bottled Water Advisory Issued in Anamosa After Unknown Chemical Entered Water Supply 5/9/2016 1:50:00 PM View Count 3539 ANAMOSA – The city of Anamosa in Jones County is asking residents to use bottled water until they identify an unknown chemical that entered the water supply sometime over the weekend.
Iowa to Celebrate Its First Source Water Protection Week 4/28/2016 8:40:00 AM View Count 3545 DES MOINES — Governor Terry Branstad has declared May 1 to 7 as Source Water Protection Week in Iowa.
Public Meetings to Discuss New Wastewater Permits 4/21/2016 8:07:00 AM View Count 4148 DES MOINES – The DNR will hold two public stakeholder meetings in May to answer questions and collect public comments on two proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater general permits.
Public Meeting to Discuss Lake of the Hills Water Quality Improvement Plan 4/21/2016 8:05:00 AM View Count 4022 DAVENPORT – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Scott County’s Lake of the Hills can attend a meeting Thursday, May 5. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion.
Water Summary Update - Iowa Remains Drought-Free 4/21/2016 8:03:00 AM View Count 3496 DES MOINES - All of Iowa remains drought free, according to the National Drought Monitor, and the average stream flows for the state have returned to near normal levels.
Commission Approves Iowa Migratory Game Bird Seasons 4/19/2016 7:51:00 AM View Count 5003 The 2016-17 migratory game bird seasons were approved Thursday by the Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Renewal of Permit Requirements for Aquatic Pesticide Applicators 4/1/2016 11:07:00 AM View Count 3840 The DNR will hold a public hearing on the renewal of a general permit for people who apply pesticides to Iowa waters April 5th in Des Moines.
Renewal of Permit Requirements for Discharges from Mining and Processing Facilities 4/1/2016 11:06:00 AM View Count 3593 The DNR will hold a public hearing on April 7 on the renewal of a general permit for operators of mining and processing facilities that discharge wastewater.
Flood Loss Avoidance Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management 4/1/2016 11:04:00 AM View Count 3691 This US Environmental Protection Agency modeling study estimates the flood loss avoidance benefits from application of small storm retention practices for new development and redevelopment nationwide. Twenty HUC8 watersheds were modeled in areas where significant growth is expected between 2020 and 2040, using the FEMA Hazus model and national-scale datasets. The area of the watersheds ranges between 500 and 3,000 square miles. The study was conducted in consultation with other federal agencies including the US Arm...
Public Meeting To Discuss Permit Requirements for Mining and Processing Facilities 3/31/2016 6:36:00 AM View Count 4206 DES MOINES—The DNR will hold a public hearing April 7 in Des Moines on renewing a general permit for mining and processing facilities that discharge wastewater.
Meeting to Discuss Windmill Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan 3/24/2016 7:22:00 AM View Count 4494 BEDFORD – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Windmill Lake in Taylor County can attend a meeting April 7. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion.
Storm Caused Evacuation, Wastewater Discharge In Clinton County 3/16/2016 8:03:00 AM View Count 3911 CLINTON – Storm damage in the Royal Pines Village mobile home park on Highway 30 west of Clinton led to evacuation of the park Tuesday night.
Coralville Makes Green Strides for Water Quality 3/11/2016 7:24:00 AM View Count 10437 Generally, Coralville Lake, just upstream from its namesake town, does its job as a flood control reservoir. But the lake was no match for the floods of 1993 and 2008, creating millions of dollars in damages for the eastern Iowa town.
Water Summary Update - Iowa Remains Drought-Free 3/10/2016 7:42:00 AM View Count 3610 DES MOINES—All of Iowa remains drought free, according to the National Drought Monitor, and stream flows remain normal to above normal for about half of the state.
Contracts, Air and Water Quality Dominate Environmental Protection Meeting 3/10/2016 7:40:00 AM View Count 3793 ANKENY – Contracts for solid waste, watershed planning and water monitoring top the agenda for the March 15 meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission in Ankeny.
Wastewater Discharge in Sheldon 3/8/2016 6:44:00 AM View Count 4475 SHELDON – Thanks to an observant angler, the DNR and city of Sheldon wastewater operators were alerted to a wastewater discharge Monday.
Lake Darling Takes the Spotlight Again Following Renovation 3/2/2016 5:43:00 AM View Count 11771 On the same September day 64 years earlier, legendary conservationist and Iowan Jay “Ding” Darling ceremoniously “set the gate” on the then newest and largest artificial lake in Iowa, Lake Darling.
Waterfowl Hunter Input Helps Guide Season Setting Process 3/1/2016 9:24:00 AM View Count 4033 It was a conversation that began last fall with a randomly selected group of duck hunters meeting in Ames. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was looking for their thoughts on the waterfowl seasons and zones before hosting six meetings that would help formulate waterfowl hunting seasons in Iowa from 2017-2021.
Recycled Salt Brine Protects Roads - and Iowa's Streams 3/1/2016 4:29:00 AM View Count 18534 During cold and snowy Iowa winters, salt is a must to keep cars on the road. A new approach protects streams and creates a new product to help drivers make a safe trip.
Iowa State Parks Featured in America's Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots 2/23/2016 6:33:00 AM View Count 4796 The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is searching for the top 100 family fishing and boating spots across the nation, and four Iowa state parks are among those being considered. Iowans participating in the vote can ensure their favorite places to boat and fish are recognized nationally.
A Return to Glory Days at Little Storm 2/17/2016 9:47:00 AM View Count 10810 Longtime Storm Lake Mayor Jon Kruse remembers the glory days of waterfowl hunting in Little Storm Lake during the 1960s and’70s, but by the early ‘80s the ducks were gone. The marsh became a silt-filled carp nursery with little vegetation.
Bottled Water Advisory Lifted In Elliott 2/5/2016 10:14:00 AM View Count 3658 ELLIOTT—Results from two sets of water samples taken in Elliott show the water is safe to drink.
Elliott Residents Advised To Drink Bottled Water 2/2/2016 9:42:00 AM View Count 4076 ELLIOTT—An electrical short in a well house serving the city of Elliott in Montgomery County prevented the well from coming online, and residents in this southwest Iowa town are being advised to drink bottled water only. Although the well is back online, it will take several hours before the tower refills and pressure is restored. Due to high nitrate levels, the bottled water advisory has been issued. Bacteria samples have been collected today, and another set will be collected tomorrow. Until those samples are ...
Proposed Waterfowl Seasons and Zones Available for Public Comment, Topic of March 8 Meeting 2/2/2016 7:07:00 AM View Count 6645 Waterfowl hunters have the opportunity to comment on proposed 2016 Iowa waterfowl seasons that were approved during the Jan. 20 meeting of the Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Iowans Create Water Quality Successes in 2015 1/28/2016 10:45:00 AM View Count 4241 The efforts of Iowans in 2015 to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers and streams have resulted in success stories across the state, and more efforts are underway for 2016. Working with groups statewide, including the Iowa DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program, Iowans are making changes on the land to improve our waters.
Water Testing and Maintenance Resources Available for Private Well Owners 1/14/2016 7:51:00 AM View Count 5851 With about 282,000 Iowans relying on private wells for their drinking water supply, understanding local conditions, keeping up regular maintenance needs and conducting annual water testing is important for private well users. To assist, the DNR offers online resources for Iowans who depend on private wells.
Water Summary Update: 2015 in review 1/14/2016 7:40:00 AM View Count 3995 2015 started as the driest in the state since 1988, but frequent precipitation in April and May gradually eliminated drought worries by the end of the spring. Precipitation was much more evenly spread out during the year, resulting in frequent, but less pronounced flooding than in other wet years.
Wastewater Discharge Occurs in Blairsburg 1/12/2016 10:23:00 AM View Count 4179 BLAIRSBURG – The city of Blairsburg in Hamilton County lost all pumping capability at their lift station about 2 or 3 p.m. Monday.
DNR Investigates Potential Wastewater Entering Stream in Shelby County 1/9/2016 2:33:00 AM View Count 3678 HARLAN – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating reports of land application of process wastewater potentially entering a stream after receiving numerous telephone calls from concerned citizens.
U.S. EPA's Review of Stream Use Designations Available 1/7/2016 8:16:00 AM View Count 5094 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed its review and approval of use changes for a fourth batch of select Iowa rivers and streams on Dec. 14.
River History Series Kicks Off as a Part of Water Trails Regional Planning Effort in Des Moines 1/5/2016 9:36:00 AM View Count 4698 The confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers has attracted humans for at least 7,200 years, from hunter-gatherers living in small houses along the river, to prehistoric mound builders, to soldiers exploring the area, to a growing metropolis.
Waterfowl Refuges Begin Opening to Other Hunting 12/15/2015 7:28:00 AM View Count 6744 As the Iowa waterfowl seasons began closing, Iowa’s waterfowl refuges will begin opening allowing hunters access to hunt non waterfowl species with a current open season, and trapping. The main purpose of the waterfowl refuge is to provide a safe resting and feeding area for waterfowl.
Water Summary Update: Conditions Remain Stable Through Unusually Warm and Wet November 12/10/2015 8:55:00 AM View Count 4404 DES MOINES — Overall conditions continue to be stable across the state through a warm transition into winter and precipitation is running high due to a very wet November.
Bottled Water Advisory Remains in Effect for Sheldahl 11/19/2015 7:08:00 AM View Count 4343 SHELDAHL – Water samples from the city of Sheldahl in Polk County are still testing high for nitrites, keeping a bottled water advisory in effect for infants under six months old.
Bottled Water Advisory Issued for Sheldahl Residents 11/13/2015 10:28:00 AM View Count 4590 SHELDAHL – The city of Sheldahl in Polk County issued a bottled water advisory today after DNR found high nitrite concentrations in lab data they review.