Missouri River Waterfowl Hunting Zone Remains the Same for 2016 9/6/2016 1:32:00 PM View Count 5161 Waterfowl hunters who plan to hunt in southwest Iowa are reminded that the Missouri River zone has not changed for the 2016-17 hunting season
Water Summary Update: July and August wettest months so far in 2016 9/1/2016 1:26:00 PM View Count 6408 July and August have easily been the two wettest months of 2016, and have continued to improve the overall hydrologic condition of the state. The National Drought Monitor has removed areas of moderate drought from Iowa, and less than 6 percent of the state is shown as “abnormally dry” – continuing the improvement that been occurring over the last several weeks.
Let's Talk Teal: Season Opens Sept 3 8/26/2016 1:02:00 PM View Count 4120 Early teal hunting season looks promising for Iowa hunters since a wet summer has kept Iowa's wetland areas filled with water. Now, according to DNR waterfowl biologists, it's up to weather and migration.
Flood Waters Hit Wastewater Plants and Two Drinking Water Sources in Northeast Iowa 8/25/2016 3:39:00 PM View Count 4360 MANCHESTER – DNR has received reports from six cities and a power plant in northeast Iowa that wastewater treatment plants are completely or partially covered with flood waters. Two more cities expect treatment plants to flood.
Water Level to Drop at Three Mile Lake Ahead of September Renovation 8/23/2016 1:40:00 PM View Count 4115 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to begin de-watering Three-Mile Lake in Union County starting August 29, 2016, in preparation for the fish renovation planned for the third week in September.
Water Summary Update: Heavy August rains increase streamflow, continue to reduce areas of drought 8/18/2016 1:17:00 PM View Count 3782 DES MOINES— Continued rains in early August have kept conditions favorable for most of the state, but a small pocket of moderate drought in and around Wayne County remains.
Water Summary Update: Iowa Rainfall About Normal for this Time of Year 8/11/2016 2:13:00 PM View Count 4050 DES MOINES— The most recent two-week period in Iowa has been slightly warmer than normal, including a five-day stretch of hot and humid weather, but receiving about the average amount of rain.
Late Summer Underwater Weed Control for Ponds 8/9/2016 1:15:00 PM View Count 4506 Pond plants are essential for healthy fish populations and good water quality, but can become a nuisance. Finding ways to reduce plant abundance to make pond access easier, without getting rid of them altogether, is a challenge for many pond owners.
Ongoing wastewater discharge in Mount Pleasant 7/27/2016 4:34:00 PM View Count 4216 MOUNT PLEASANT -- The city of Mount Pleasant in Henry County reported an ongoing wastewater discharge to DNR Wednesday afternoon.
Water Summary Update: Statewide Average Rainfall Almost Twice the Normal Average 7/26/2016 9:45:00 AM View Count 6918 DES MOINES—Recent rains have improved groundwater levels across Iowa, while the National Drought Monitor shows about a third of the state still rated as abnormally dry. Heavy rains that fell on July 19 will be reflected in the next update.
State Parks Impacted by Recent Rains 7/19/2016 12:45:00 PM View Count 9088 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.
West Okoboji: One of Only 3 Blue Water Lakes in the World? 7/12/2016 1:36:00 PM View Count 140128 For nearly a century, word has circulated that West Okoboji is one of only three blue water lakes in the world, the others being Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Lake Louise in Canada.
Floating the river is an Iowa summertime tradition 7/12/2016 12:37:00 PM View Count 16053 Swimming, canoeing and floating the river on tubes is a summertime tradition in Iowa. But as relaxing and enjoyable as a river float is, it does come with an element of risk.
Sewer Line Blockage Causes Wastewater Overflow to Big Spirit Lake 7/11/2016 11:05:00 AM View Count 3849 SPIRIT LAKE – A blockage in a sewer main caused an estimated 4,000 gallons of wastewater to overflow into Big Spirit Lake late Sunday morning.
DNR Officers are Looking for the Operator of a PWC at Lake Manawa Involved in a Personal Injury Incident 7/11/2016 8:15:00 AM View Count 4288 COUNCIL BLUFFS – An Omaha, Neb. woman was injured Saturday evening after being thrown off a personal watercraft on Lake Manawa and law enforcement officers are seeking assistance from the public in locating the operator of the vessel who left the scene.
Two injured in personal watercraft explosion on Black Hawk Lake 7/6/2016 3:55:00 PM View Count 5254 LAKE VIEW – A personal water craft exploded Tue on Black Hawk Lake in Sac County sending two people to the hospital.
Operation Dry Water Highlights Boating Safety Heading Into Holiday Weekend 7/1/2016 9:24:00 AM View Count 4456 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 3723 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 4097 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 61698 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 5647 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 4003 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 5035 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 7204 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 3892 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 3230 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 3681 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 3749 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 4289 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 4225 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 3606 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 5151 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 3980 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 3727 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 3880 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 4360 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 4682 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 4046 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 10980 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 3734 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 3950 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 4627 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 12457 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 4220 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 19536 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.