Water Summary Update Notes High Temps, Good Groundwater Levels 6/23/2016 3:11:00 PM View Count 3918 DES MOINES—Groundwater levels remain good across Iowa, while the National Drought Monitor shows an expanding area of dryness in southeast Iowa.
Fuel Cleanup in West Des Moines Ongoing 6/23/2016 2:55:00 PM View Count 3621 Cleanup continues along Highway 5 south of West Des Moines where a westbound tanker overturned last Friday morning, June 17.
Avoid Areas of Heavy Smoke Near Fireworks Displays 6/23/2016 2:53:00 PM View Count 3701 As spectacular as Fourth of July celebrations can be, drifting smoke following the fireworks can cause breathing problems for some. If the air is stagnant, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels.
Status of Elm Lake Focus of July 6 Meeting 6/22/2016 2:54:00 PM View Count 4502 CLARION, Iowa - Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be on hand on July 6, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., at the Wright County Conservation Board shelter on the north end of Lake Cornelia for an informal meeting to talk about the current state of Elm Lake and potential future management plans.
Heavy Rainfall Closes Shooting Range At Hawkeye Wildlife Area 6/22/2016 1:55:00 PM View Count 4729 IOWA CITY - The Tim Dorr rifle and handgun range at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area is closed after a nearly six inch rainfall Tuesday night damaged the recently completed renovation on the popular shooting range.
Operation Dry Water Starts June 24 6/21/2016 1:20:00 PM View Count 61410 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.
Caution Advised as Peak Boating Season Approaches 6/21/2016 1:15:00 PM View Count 3558 Heading toward the peak of Iowa's boating season; boaters and other on the water recreationists are urged to observe safety first, on or near their favorite lake or stream.
Temporary Trail Closure at Big Creek State Park 6/21/2016 11:35:00 AM View Count 3909 Des Moines – The Neal Smith Trail will be closed temporarily near mile marker 24 for repairs beginning Wednesday, June 22. The section of the trail is located near the Gannet Shelter and east boat ramp in Big Creek State Park. Repairs are expected to be completed June 24, weather permitting.
Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers 6/21/2016 11:26:00 AM View Count 5383 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.
Lake Macbride State Park Named to Take Me Fishing 2016 Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the U.S. List 6/21/2016 11:25:00 AM View Count 12324 Lake Macbride State Park, west of Solon, has been recognized among the 2016 Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the U.S., according to Take Me Fishing™, whose Top 100 list was released recently.
Iowa DNR: 30 Years, 30 Natural Resource Successes 6/21/2016 11:23:00 AM View Count 5336 DES MOINES — July 1 marks the 30th anniversary of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, established by the State Legislature when several state agencies consolidated in 1986. To help commemorate the 30th anniversary, the DNR is highlighting 30 success stories for Iowa’s natural resources during the last three decades.
Repairs Wednesday in Moravia Lead to Water Shut Down, Boil Advisory 6/21/2016 11:22:00 AM View Count 3613 MORAVIA – The Appanoose County city of Moravia is advising residents to boil their drinking water following repairs to a water main Wednesday morning.
Gov. Branstad to Attend Missouri River Meeting 6/17/2016 3:26:00 PM View Count 3750 ONAWA – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will be a special attendee of the next State Interagency Missouri River Authority (SIMRA) meeting on Wednesday, June 22nd.
Leaking Manure Storage Reaches Creek in Osceola 6/16/2016 2:35:00 PM View Count 3270 ASHTON – Thursday morning a complaint about a manure discharge led DNR investigators to a leaking aboveground storage tank about 1.5 miles northeast of Ashton in Osceola County.
Holstein Teacher Recognized for Outstanding Fishing Program 6/14/2016 1:18:00 PM View Count 4273 Justin Kinney, physical education and health instructor at Ridge View High School in Holstein, is the 2016 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.
Take Dad Fishing for Father's Day 6/14/2016 1:17:00 PM View Count 4630 As we honor dad this weekend, give dad something he will always treasure – quality time together. Take dad fishing and create memories that you can relive every time you’re together.
First Iowa Exceedance of New Ozone Standard 6/14/2016 12:06:00 PM View Count 4102 WINDSOR HEIGHTS - An ozone monitoring site in Scott County Park north of Davenport recorded an eight-hour average ozone level of 71 parts per billion yesterday, June 13. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s eight-hour average health threshold is 70 parts per billion.
DNR Enforcement Actions 6/9/2016 1:18:00 PM View Count 5707 DES MOINES – The DNR has taken the following enforcement actions. The following are only briefs; copies of enforcement action, including the full, original order and contact information are available on the DNR’s website
Lower Des Moines River Expedition Set to Launch in July 6/9/2016 1:16:00 PM View Count 4161 KEOSAUQUA – Volunteers will have an opportunity this summer to spend their vacations cleaning up, learning about and exploring 53 miles of the lower Des Moines River between Eldon and Farmington, from July 11 to 15 with Project AWARE. Early registration ends June 17.
Water Summary Update Notes Dry Areas in South Central Iowa, Above Normal Streamflows 6/9/2016 1:15:00 PM View Count 3897 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.
June Is Invasive Species Awareness Month 6/9/2016 9:30:00 AM View Count 4734 In an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and the impact they have on Iowa’s ecosystems and economy, Governor Branstad recently proclaimed June as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.
4 Quick Ways to Tell A Wolf from a Coyote 6/8/2016 10:55:00 AM View Count 72145 Iowa hasn’t been a consistent home for many large predators since the early 1900s, but healthy wolf populations from the Great Lakes Region are expanding their ranges. Look for the tell-tale traits below to know just what canine you’ve spotted.
Iowa Pheasant Harvest Highest Since 2009, Quail Highest Since 2007 6/8/2016 9:58:00 AM View Count 22533 Iowa’s estimated pheasant harvest continues its climb and for the fifth year in a row has been higher than the previous year. In 2015, more than 56,000 hunters harvested nearly 270,000 rooster pheasants in Iowa, which is an increased harvest of 24 percent over 2014 and the highest pheasant harvest since 2009.
Railroad Cleaning Up Tracks From Leaking Tanker 6/7/2016 4:26:00 PM View Count 4139 DES MOINES – A railroad tanker carrying 25,000 gallons of animal fat leaked along tracks Monday from Missouri Valley in Harrison County to Fairfax in Linn County, a distance of approximately 200 miles.
DNR Seeks Public Comment on Increased Nursery Stock Prices 6/7/2016 2:02:00 PM View Count 3931 The DNR is seeking public comment on a proposal to adjust the price of tree and shrub seedlings sold from the State Forest Nursery to bring nursery operations into compliance with Iowa Code. Code requires the state forest nursery to cover all expenses related to the growing of the plants.
Grant Applications Available Now for School and Community Tree Planting 6/7/2016 2:01:00 PM View Count 4233 Trees For Kids grant applications are now available for the fall 2016 grant cycle. The Trees For Kids grant program is designed to provide hands-on educational opportunities for Iowa youth by planting trees on school grounds and other public places.
It's Not Too Late to Reserve a State Park Cabin 6/7/2016 1:59:00 PM View Count 4472 Not interested in sleeping in a tent? Don’t have an RV? How about trying an overnight stay in a state park cabin this summer?
Iowa Raptors Take Center Stage 6/7/2016 1:33:00 PM View Count 4358 Iowa’s 24 active osprey nests will be a bustling with activity this week and next as young ospreys are beginning to hatch. The osprey nest at the Wells Fargo campus in West Des Moines has two young hatching today and can be viewed live online.
June is Great Outdoors Month 6/7/2016 1:32:00 PM View Count 3730 The 2016 summer recreation season is just getting started and there are plenty of days ahead to enjoy the outdoors.
Natural Resource Commission to Meet June 9 in Webster County 6/6/2016 10:04:00 AM View Count 3649 OTHO, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 8:30 a.m., on June 9, at Center Lodge, in Dolliver Memorial state Park, 2757 Dolliver Park Ave., Otho.
Boil Advisory Still in Place for New Market 6/2/2016 4:23:00 PM View Count 3469 NEW MARKET – Even though water pressure has been restored, a boil advisory will remain in place for the city of New Market in Taylor County until bacteria samples can be collected to ensure the water is safe.
7 Cool Things You Should Know About Hummingbirds 6/2/2016 2:46:00 PM View Count 56825 Hummingbirds are some of the most distinctive birds to see in Iowa – if your eyes can keep up. Known for their extremely speedy flight and abrupt stops, these winged gems are fun to spot and easy to attract to your yard or apartment windowsill with a feeder. Look for them over the summer and you might even see a rare species!
Entrance Roads at Lost Grove Lake Closing June 6 6/2/2016 2:44:00 PM View Count 4872 Road paving construction will begin next week at Lost Grove Lake located east of Eldridge. The south entrance road leading to Backcast Bay Shoreline Access Area (located near the corner of 250th Street and 230th Avenue) will close on June 6 and the entrance road leading to the Old Red Barn Boat Ramp (formerly the middle boat ramp; also located near the corner of 250th Street and 230th Avenue) will close on June 8.
Contracts Abound on Environmental Commission's Meeting in Moravia 6/2/2016 11:12:00 AM View Count 4463 MORAVIA – Contracts for air, land and water quality dominate the June 21 agenda for the Environmental Protection Commission’s meeting at Honey Creek State Park Resort, 12633 Resort Drive in Moravia.
Manure Spill to Small Creek in Union County 6/1/2016 12:59:00 PM View Count 3461 THAYER – Tuesday afternoon, Union County maintenance staff accidentally nicked a hose used to transport manure while mowing a right-of-way about one mile north of Thayer.
2016 Spring Turkey Harvest Tops 12,000 5/31/2016 1:04:00 PM View Count 4899 Turkey hunters reported harvesting nearly 12,200 Iowa birds this spring, which is highest harvest total since hunters were required to report their harvest in 2007.
Iowan Selected as National Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year 5/31/2016 1:03:00 PM View Count 6670 Rick Cerwick flashes back to the days when he started hunting, rolling down the Webster County gravel roads in the ‘63 Ford Galaxy 500 with mom and dad up front and he and his brothers and sisters in back competing to see who could spot the most rooster pheasants and who could retrieve them when dad shot one.
Boil Advisory Issued for One Block in Mason City 5/31/2016 11:35:00 AM View Count 3757 MASON CITY – The city of Mason City has issued a boil advisory for one block along Highway 122 after a water main break earlier today.
Iowa's 2016 Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Public Review and Comment 5/31/2016 8:46:00 AM View Count 3954 The air monitoring network plan will assist the Iowa DNR in its efforts to monitor the quality of Iowa’s air and to keep the public aware of air quality problems.
Fishing the Graveyard Shift 5/26/2016 4:11:00 PM View Count 17853 Ultimately, I think the lure of the riverbank and flathead fishing is that life slows down so much. It is so very simple, so basic and elemental, almost like a form of asceticism. Life is reduced to its simplest terms.
DNR Derelict Building Grant Program Awards Grants to 15 Rural Communities 5/26/2016 1:36:00 PM View Count 4818 DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 15 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.
DNR Program Helps Iowa Communities Monitor Drinking Water for Microcystin 5/26/2016 1:34:00 PM View Count 4886 DES MOINES – Iowa public drinking water supplies will have an opportunity to participate in a voluntary microcystin monitoring program.
Know Your Catch: How to ID Northern Pike and Muskies 5/25/2016 11:47:00 AM View Count 53222 Pikes and muskellunge are both predatory prize fish any angler would love to catch, but knowing the difference between the two makes a big difference in your fishing story… especially if you need to tell it to a conservation officer, because the rules for these species are different. Check out the easy tips below for identifying what’s on your line and what to do about it.
Iowa Residents Enjoy Free Fishing Days June 3-5 5/24/2016 1:36:00 PM View Count 16571 Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 3, 4 and 5 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources free fishing weekend.
Iowa DNR and Iowa Tourism Office Launch Campaign to Promote Family Fishing in the State 5/24/2016 1:34:00 PM View Count 4867 Des Moines — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa Tourism Office are calling on families to put down the screens and make lasting memories fishing in a new joint marketing campaign launched today.