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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: waterReturn

Derelict building grants, water and air quality on July EPC agenda

• 7/13/2017 1:03:00 PM
• View Count 3386

WINDSOR HEIGHTS – Contracts, grants and rule changes are up for approval at the July 18meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission.

DNR completes Operation Dry Water campaign

• 7/11/2017 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 10207

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau participated in the national Operation Dry Water campaign June 30 – July 2.

Rock the Rapids: turning dangerous dams into places for family fun draws crowds to communities

• 7/6/2017 2:57:00 PM
• View Count 18551

The mist burns off of a cozy Sunday morning as I sit, watching a flock of geese trade honks with a train. They’re preening in the calm water above the first drop of the Manchester Whitewater Park, and occasionally a brave one floats down the chute before flapping back up to its friends. Tucked between industrial buildings and Main Street, the park is already humming with cyclists, dog walkers and photographers doing portrait shoots. The structured banks of ochre boulders look amazingly inviting, and upstream, a to...

Iowa DNR law enforcement conducting special boating while intoxicated enforcement project

• 6/29/2017 10:50:00 AM
• View Count 15331

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the Iowa DNR law enforcement officers will be focusing on keeping boaters safe by cracking down on boating under the influence. The DNR will be conducting heightened awareness and enforcement of boating under the influence laws as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign in hopes to decrease the number of crashes and deaths.

Iowans creating connections with creeks with signs

• 6/28/2017 2:39:00 PM
• View Count 11837

Thousands of motorists drive over Iowa’s waterways, big and small, each day. But unless it’s a major river, most people are crossing these streams unaware of what’s below. 

Meeting to discuss Lake Rathbun water quality improvement plan

• 6/22/2017 12:03:00 PM
• View Count 4168

CHARITON – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Lake Rathbun in south-central Iowa can attend a meeting July 6. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion. 

Upper Cedar River cleanup expedition set to launch in July

• 6/8/2017 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 4685

CHARLES CITY – Volunteers will have an opportunity this summer to spend their vacations cleaning up, learning about and exploring 55 miles of the upper Cedar River from the Iowa-Minnesota border to Nashua from July 10 to 14 as part of Project AWARE. Early registration ends June 16.

Air, land and water quality contracts on June EPC agenda

• 6/8/2017 1:49:00 PM
• View Count 3580

WINDSOR HEIGHTS –Contracts for water and land quality monitoring, watershed protection, air quality protection and manure applicator training dominate the June 20 agenda for the Environmental Protection Commission. 

Water Summary Update shows normal conditions continue into June

• 6/8/2017 1:48:00 PM
• View Count 3658

DES MOINES - Average rainfall and streamflow have prevailed across most of Iowa and groundwater conditions rated normal as well, leaving conditions generally good statewide. 

Kerns family deeply rooted in conservation

• 5/19/2017 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 13593

Jim and Jody Kerns’ belief in conservation and education is as deeply rooted as the trees that protect the banks along their Volga River property.

Popular northeast and central Iowa paddling destinations closed

• 5/10/2017 3:12:00 PM
• View Count 3689

This weekend’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers around the state. Water recreationists should avoid three popular destinations this weekend and possibly longer.

Water Summary Update shows no drought in Iowa thanks to cool, wet April

• 5/4/2017 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 3405

DES MOINES— For the first time in almost a year, none of Iowa is shown in any form of drought or dryness in the latest Water Summary Update. 

Clinton goes green for stormwater

• 4/27/2017 4:07:00 PM
• View Count 10444

Move over, gray. Clinton is going green.

Iowa Strategic Goals Program's Workshop: "EPA Compliance Tools & Common Clean Water Act Violations" on May 11

• 4/24/2017 10:59:00 AM
• View Count 3521

Join us at the Iowa Strategic Goals Program (ISGP) 1-day workshop on May 11, 2017 where regulators would provide hints and tips to help you better understand what is required of your business! This workshop will provide the opportunity to meet with regulators and industry experts in a small setting where questions are welcome!

Public comment sought for impaired waters list

• 4/14/2017 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 4114

DES MOINES -- The DNR is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, today, shows 56 impairments will be removed from the 2014 impaired list, once approved by the EPA.

Pine Springs Creek water quality and angler access easement dedication April 28

• 4/11/2017 12:24:00 PM
• View Count 3617

Decorah – The public is invited to celebrate the dedication of the new water quality and angler access easement on Pine Springs Creek, North Canoe Creek and West Canoe Creek, April 28 at 11 a.m. at Seed Savers Exchange, north of Decorah.

Community rallies behind Catfish Creek

• 4/7/2017 11:52:00 AM
• View Count 8232

The urban development surrounding Upper Catfish Creek had taken its toll. 

Water Summary Update notes increased precipitation in March

• 4/6/2017 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 3268

DES MOINES— Increased precipitation in March brought relief from the abnormally dry start to the year and ended moderate drought conditions that had been creeping into southern Iowa. 

Cedar River: the heart of Charles City

• 3/31/2017 10:14:00 AM
• View Count 14121

After Cedar River floodwaters hit hard in 2008 and 2016, even washing away the iconic century-old suspension bridge in 2008, you wouldn’t expect Charles City to embrace the river. 

Watershed efforts have lasting effects at Nine Eagles, Slip Bluff

• 3/28/2017 10:53:00 AM
• View Count 6484

Improving water quality is not an overnight success or a quick fix. It takes time, but it can also be sustained over the long haul – which two southern Iowa lakes have shown over the last decade.

Iowans celebrate water quality successes in annual review

• 3/23/2017 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 3935

DES MOINES — The efforts of Iowans to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers and streams have resulted in success stories across the state, and a new publication is showcasing some of the most impressive efforts over the last decade. 

Northeast Iowa goes wild for trout

• 3/16/2017 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 24945

​Things are getting even wilder in northeast Iowa. Watershed projects on northeast Iowa’s famed trout streams over the last two decades have improved water quality, and in turn, wild trout populations, fishing and tourism. By changing the way water comes into trout streams, watershed projects have kept excess sediment, nutrients and bacteria out of the water. 

Wastewater discharge ended in West Des Moines

• 2/23/2017 11:49:00 AM
• View Count 3741

WEST DES MOINES –The city of West Des Moines discovered untreated wastewater bubbling up from a manhole on the south side of the road in the 5400 block of University Avenue about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.  

Iowa DNR releases new five-year strategy for ambient water monitoring

• 1/19/2017 4:00:00 PM
• View Count 3511

DES MOINES – A new five-year strategy aiming to improve the Iowa DNR’s Ambient Water Monitoring Program is now available on the web. 

Water Summary Update - 2016 in review

• 1/12/2017 2:39:00 PM
• View Count 3894

DES MOINES - Iowa started 2016 with dry conditions but extensive rains in August and September ranked this as the 19th wettest year on record.  

Hunting seasons starting to close

• 1/3/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 4920

Iowa’s pheasant, late muzzleloader and archery deer, and archery fall turkey seasons close on Jan. 10.  Furbearer seasons, squirrel, quail, partridge and grouse remain open until Jan. 31.

Report highlights progress and long-term challenges of Iowa stream nutrient monitoring

• 12/22/2016 1:59:00 PM
• View Count 4778

DES MOINES -- A 2016 report of Iowa’s water monitoring efforts for nutrients highlights both the complexity and long-term value of evaluating nutrient levels in Iowa’s lakes, streams and rivers. 

Wastewater discharge into Storm Lake Monday night

• 12/6/2016 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 3491

STORM LAKE – Officials in the city of Storm Lake reported to DNR this morning that an unknown, but small, amount of untreated wastewater leaked into Storm Lake overnight.

Waterfowl refuges closed to any access until duck seasons end

• 12/2/2016 10:16:00 AM
• View Count 5363

Iowa waterfowl refuges are closed to all access until the day after duck season closes. This year the duck season closes later than previous years and the later season dates may impact some deer hunters who have hunted the areas in the past. 

DNR looking for opinions on current migratory game bird seasons

• 11/16/2016 10:00:00 AM
• View Count 4585

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking Iowa migratory game bird hunters what they liked and disliked about the 2016 migratory game bird seasons, as a first step in developing proposed 2017 migratory game bird season dates. 

Chariton drinking water operator has certification revoked

• 11/10/2016 3:04:00 PM
• View Count 4585

CHARITON— Following a recent hearing, a judge revoked two drinking water certifications for Duane Covington, the former superintendent of the Chariton Water Works.

Stream flows remain high, ground water conditions good heading into Iowa’s driest season

• 11/4/2016 9:47:00 AM
• View Count 7763

DES MOINES— October was the first month since June for below normal rainfall. Despite the drier month, stream flows remain high, and groundwater conditions are predominantly good. Iowa heads now into the driest and most hydrologically stable four months of the year.

Fish kill on Dubuque County's Whitewater Creek still undetermined

• 10/13/2016 2:13:00 PM
• View Count 4172

MANCHESTER – The fish kill count is in, but the responsible party for a pollutant that killed nearly 8,000 fish in Whitewater Creek in mid-September remains undetermined. 

Water Summary Update: 2016 Water Year much wetter than normal

• 10/11/2016 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 7053

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.

7 must-see waterfalls in Iowa State Parks

• 9/29/2016 3:39:00 PM
• View Count 68365

From nature's splendor to man-made spillways, these water features are definitely wonderful. Below, get the full list of Iowa's waterfalls, how to get to each one, and ideas on other things to do in the area while on your waterfall tour.

Meeting to discuss Eldred Sherwood Lake water quality improvement plan

• 9/29/2016 11:23:00 AM
• View Count 4090

KLEMME – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Eldred Sherwood Lake in Hancock County can attend a meeting Oct. 12. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion. 

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

• 9/23/2016 3:19:00 PM
• View Count 4589

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 8004

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.

Iowa’s regular duck hunting seasons to start soon

• 9/20/2016 12:57:00 PM
• View Count 7614

Iowa has had a wet start to summer and now a wet end to summer filling wetlands and marshes across the state and flooding crop fields in certain areas. Adding to the mix that local Iowa ducks had a good hatch this spring and these young ducks are now spread out and using newly flooded areas for food and cover.

DNR seeking source of extensive fish kill in Dubuque and Jones Counties

• 9/20/2016 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 3771

MANCHESTER – DNR staff were in the field Sunday and Monday looking for the source of a fish kill in Whitewater Creek in Dubuque County.

Canada goose season closed during youth duck season

• 9/16/2016 9:45:00 AM
• View Count 3942

The first of Iowa’s two-day youth waterfowl seasons begin Saturday in the north zone and hunters planning to take a young person on this special hunt are reminded that only the youth may participate in the hunt and only ducks, mergansers and coots are legal species.

Meeting Sept. 29 to discuss renewal of stormwater permits

• 9/15/2016 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 3841

DES MOINES — The DNR will hold a stakeholder meeting Sept. 29 in Des Moines to discuss proposed changes to three stormwater discharge permits. 

Missouri River Waterfowl Hunting Zone Remains the Same for 2016

• 9/6/2016 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 5130

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 6381

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 4085

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.

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