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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: waterReturn

Water Summary Update: April cooler, drier than normal

• 5/14/2020 1:24:00 PM
• View Count 2238

DES MOINES — With average rainfall about 2 inches below normal and temperatures about 2 degrees below normal, April was cooler and drier than usual, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Meetings to discuss statewide lake bacteria water quality improvement plan available online

• 4/30/2020 2:09:00 PM
• View Count 2208

DES MOINES – Meetings originally scheduled to discuss results of a DNR study to improve water quality in lake environments for bacteria will move to an online-only presentation due to COVID-19 precautions.

Iowa Environmental Laboratories: keeping Iowans safe during COVID-19

• 4/30/2020 2:08:00 PM
• View Count 2567

DES MOINES — Iowa has 40 municipal and commercial laboratories that test and analyze drinking water samples. Lab results tell regulators if our water is safe to drink.

6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

• 4/20/2020 1:44:00 PM
• View Count 9609

Not that long ago, Iowa consisted of nearly 80 percent prairie with plants and soil that could easily soak up stormwater with little to no runoff after heavy rains. Today, with drastic changes in land use, things have changed. With so many impervious surfaces (surfaces that shed water, such as roofs and concrete), runoff is forced quickly down storm drains and straight into local water bodies. Here are some ways to soak up more water in your yard to help prevent erosion and flooding in your lawn and home, as well a...

Wastewater discharge stopped in Washington County

• 4/15/2020 1:06:00 PM
• View Count 2416

AINSWORTH—The city of Ainsworth in Washington County reported a wastewater discharge to DNR shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Water Summary Update: March sees above-average precipitation in Iowa

• 4/9/2020 1:34:00 PM
• View Count 2824

DES MOINES — Almost all stations across Iowa reported above average precipitation in March, with some locations reporting 2 to 2.5 inches above normal rainfall, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Stay safe and “distance” to start this paddling season

• 4/7/2020 12:38:00 PM
• View Count 4056

With recent warm temperatures, restless paddlers are ready to put canoes and kayaks in the water. Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe.

Upcoming Trainings: The Bottom Line on Industrial Stormwater

• 3/30/2020 10:29:00 AM
• View Count 2316

Mark your calendars and register to attend one of the upcoming sessions of "The Bottom Line on Industrial Stormwater."  This workshop was offered in 2018 and 2019 and has been scheduled again to meet demand for the information and training.

Public drinking water safe to drink; Know what to and what NOT to flush down your toilet

• 3/20/2020 4:28:00 PM
• View Count 12942

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is providing this important information about COVID-19 as it relates to public drinking water to provide clarity to the public.

Water Summary Update: Drier February improves stream levels across Iowa

• 3/5/2020 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 2284

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

Meetings to discuss statewide lake bacteria water quality improvement plan

• 3/5/2020 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 2285

DES MOINES – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in lake environments for bacteria can attend one of three meetings across the state Mar. 18, Mar. 24, and Apr. 1. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lakes to the meeting for discussion.

Industrial wastewater discharge in Storm Lake

• 2/19/2020 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 2707

STORM LAKE—An equipment failure at Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., in Storm Lake caused a discharge of untreated wastewater into the city’s storm sewers early Wednesday morning.

3 ducks you may not know live in Iowa

• 2/11/2020 10:15:00 AM
• View Count 10469

Some ducks in Iowa aren’t as common as mallards, wood ducks or blue-winged teals. Check out these duck species you might not know live here:

Proposed waterfowl rules available for public comment

• 2/9/2020 2:48:00 PM
• View Count 3325

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on proposed waterfowl and coot hunting seasons and bag limits, which includes 2021-22 season dates, and the proposed restructuring of the hunting zones and seasons for 2021-2025.

Water Summary Update: January warmer with more rain and snow than usual

• 2/6/2020 12:06:00 PM
• View Count 2528

DES MOINES — Both statewide precipitation and temperatures were above average in January, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

DNR grant opportunity available to develop a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program

• 1/23/2020 12:11:00 PM
• View Count 2826

DES MOINES - The DNR’s Watershed Improvement Section is accepting applications for a grant to help develop a Statewide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program.

Water Summary Update: Iowa received 6 more inches of rain than usual in 2019

• 1/9/2020 12:37:00 PM
• View Count 2761

DES MOINES — With 41.5 inches of rain falling across Iowa last year, 2019 is now the 12th wettest year on record in the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

DNR to host stakeholder meeting on proposed code changes regarding water quality

• 12/12/2019 1:16:00 PM
• View Count 2915

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a stakeholder meeting Dec. 19 to discuss several proposed changes to the Iowa Administrative Code regarding wastewater, drinking water, sludge, and private sewage disposal systems. 

Water Summary Update: Cooler, wetter autumn than usual in Iowa

• 12/12/2019 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 2585

DES MOINES — Autumn this year in Iowa has been cooler and wetter than normal, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Water quality and solid waste successes on Environmental Protection Commission’s agenda

• 12/12/2019 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 3049

DES MOINES - Highlights from DNR’s six environmental field offices will kick off the Dec. 17 meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission.

DNR investigates wastewater release in Solon

• 12/4/2019 6:32:00 AM
• View Count 2368

SOLON—This morning, staff from the city of Solon in Johnson County reported a release of partially treated wastewater which flowed overland into Mill Creek.

Water Summary Update: Last year had above-normal precipitation in Iowa

• 11/21/2019 1:31:00 PM
• View Count 3216

DES MOINES — In the last year, Iowa averaged 42.58 inches of precipitation, 7.31 inches above the statewide 30-year climatological normal, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

DNR releases draft 2018 impaired waters list, open for public comment

• 11/14/2019 2:06:00 PM
• View Count 4015

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa DNR today shows 27 impairments are recommended to be removed from the 2018 impaired list, once approved by the EPA.

Duck hunters are optimistic with the main season underway

• 10/22/2019 3:37:00 PM
• View Count 3061

The September rain was a game changer for Iowa duck hunters, improving habitat conditions across most of the state by creating a number of shallow water areas where food is available.

Waterfowl hunters reminded of rules for hunting in flooded crop fields

• 10/15/2019 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 2867

Iowa’s unusually wet spring and fall has created a unique situation in certain parts of the state where floodwaters are reaching crop fields and causing issues regarding what waterfowl hunters can and can’t do in these areas.

Water Summary Update: Rainy September removes all drought designations from the state

• 10/10/2019 11:58:00 AM
• View Count 2712

DES MOINES — Last month was the 15th wettest September on record for Iowa, removing all drought designations from the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Earling discharging wastewater in Shelby County

• 10/7/2019 10:45:00 AM
• View Count 2433

EARLING – With one lift station pump out for repair, the city of Earling’s remaining pump failed, sending untreated wastewater from the pumping station into Mosquito Creek.

DNR to host meeting on Meadow Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan

• 9/26/2019 1:30:00 PM
• View Count 2797

GREENFIELD – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Meadow Lake in Adair County can attend a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion.

Meeting in Oelwein to discuss waterfowl season, zone structure moves to Oct. 17

• 9/24/2019 12:54:00 PM
• View Count 2579

The meeting to present the waterfowl season and zone structure of the 2021-2015 season originally scheduled for Oct. 16, has been moved to Oct. 17, due to a scheduling conflict.

Out of sight wetland at Blackhawk Bottoms is in plain view of waterfowl

• 9/24/2019 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 4729

Burlington, Iowa - It’s not often that a trip to the grocery store ends with an unsolicited public endorsement but that’s what Andy Robbins got last year while walking to his vehicle.

Meetings set to discuss waterfowl season, zone structure for 2021-2025

• 9/19/2019 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 3053

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled five meetings across the state in October to present its proposed waterfowl season and zone structure for the 2021-2025 waterfowl hunting seasons.

Water Summary Update: below-normal summer rainfall leading to drought conditions in Iowa

• 9/5/2019 11:58:00 AM
• View Count 2840

DES MOINES — For the first time in a year, there are areas of Iowa where groundwater conditions are beginning to show stress, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

History, habitat and location collide to make Waterman Prairie a true Iowa treasure

• 8/13/2019 4:02:00 PM
• View Count 3801

Sutherland, Iowa - The area that has become Waterman Prairie has been important for people and wildlife for more than 1,000 years. It’s an area that native tribes called home and where Inkpaduta, Wahpekute Dakota Indian chief of the Spirit Lake massacre and Little Big Horn fame, hid from the military on his way west.

Water Summary Update: below normal July rainfall has part of state headed toward drought conditions

• 8/8/2019 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 2676

DES MOINES — A second consecutive month of below normal precipitation has about 36 percent of the state rated as abnormally dry, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

FY 2020 Q2 IUP updates Ready for Public Review

• 8/1/2019 10:36:00 AM
• View Count 2697

The Fiscal Year 2020 Intended Use Plan (IUP) Second Quarter Update for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are now available for public review and comment.

Wastewater discharges in eastern Iowa

• 7/23/2019 7:43:00 AM
• View Count 3166

DAVENPORT – Two ongoing wastewater discharges are occurring in eastern Iowa, both eventually flowing to the Mississippi River.

Water Summary Update: June rainfall an inch below normal

• 7/11/2019 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 2636

DES MOINES — After higher amounts of rainfall in May, June rainfall in Iowa was 3.86 inches, or more than an inch below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update. June is typically the wettest month of the year in Iowa.

DNR Conservation Officers on the lookout for intoxicated boat operators

• 7/2/2019 11:34:00 AM
• View Count 2849

DES MOINES - State, federal and local law enforcement agencies will be focusing on the 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.

Restoring ruffed grouse habitat makes Falcon Springs Wildlife Area unique

• 6/25/2019 12:48:00 PM
• View Count 6783

Decorah - Northeast Iowa’s towering bluffs and cold water streams are like nowhere else in the state. Add in a popular river that is on endless national lists as one of the best places to paddle in the country and it’s easy to see why Winneshiek County is a destination for outdoor recreation.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Workers Week

• 6/13/2019 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 2956

All members of the Iowa Drinking Water and Wastewater industries are invited to be present as Governor Kim Reynolds signs a proclamation declaring August 18 through August 24, 2019, as "Water and Wastewater Treatment Workers of Iowa Week."

Muscatine County town of Stockton on boil advisory

• 6/13/2019 11:00:00 AM
• View Count 2105

STOCKTON – A broken water main caused the city of Stockton to advise residents to boil their drinking water starting this morning.

Water Summary Update: May the sixth wettest on record in Iowa

• 6/13/2019 10:59:00 AM
• View Count 2794

DES MOINES — Since last June, Iowa has seen its wettest 12-month stretch on record, with this May being the sixth wettest on record, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Cherokee County wastewater discharge to end soon

• 6/6/2019 3:09:00 PM
• View Count 2915

QUIMBY -- The city of Quimby contracted with a manure hauler today to transport wastewater from a pump station to the city’s wastewater lagoon.

Heavy rainfall causes multiple wastewater and manure releases

• 5/29/2019 6:43:00 AM
• View Count 2847

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.

Public meeting to discuss wastewater general permit renewal for pesticide discharges

• 5/9/2019 2:45:00 PM
• View Count 2166

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold a public stakeholder meeting to answer questions and collect public comments on the renewal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater general permit for pesticide discharges.

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