State Preserves Advisory Board Meets July 7 6/28/2016 3:24:00 PM View Count 14198 The State Preserves Advisory Board of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 10 a.m., July 7, at the Decorah City Hall, 400 Claiborne Drive, in Decorah. Prior to the business meeting, field trips are scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 6 at the Crossman and Hayden Prairie state preserves (start at Crossman Prairie) and 8 a.m. on July 7 at the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve.
DNR Hosts Public Meeting to Share Final Blood Run Master Plan 6/28/2016 3:23:00 PM View Count 5909 The DNR will hold a public meeting Friday, July 15 to tour the Iowa Blood Run site and present the final Iowa Blood Run cultural landscape master plan.
Public Meeting Scheduled for July 20 to Discuss Permit for Trail in Wahpeton 6/28/2016 3:22:00 PM View Count 3929 The public is invited to provide comments on a permit needed by the Dickinson County Trails Board to cross publicly-owned land and water under jurisdiction of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Thank the Trail Crew, Hike a Trail 6/28/2016 1:50:00 PM View Count 5497 It might be the kind of work you find featured on the reality show Dirty Jobs. The days are long and filled with physical labor -- hauling heavy timbers, large rocks and loads of gravel, clearing brush and digging dirt. At the end of the day, your clothes are sweat-soaked, and your skin is blistered, scratched and mosquito-bit.
Fourth of July Weekend Looks Great for State Park Visitors 6/28/2016 1:49:00 PM View Count 12042 Iowa state parks are ready to welcome thousands of visitors for the Fourth of July weekend.
Water Main Broken in City of Callender; Boil Advisory Issued 6/27/2016 3:21:00 PM View Count 3694 CALLENDER – A water main was broken in the city of Callender in Webster City on Monday during work to install storm sewers.
Black Bear Killed on Allamakee County Highway 6/27/2016 11:11:00 AM View Count 7131 DES MOINES – A young black bear was struck and killed by a truck Friday evening on Highway 76 near the Yellow River Forest in southeast Allamakee County.
A Day’s Worth of Dynamite Dutch Oven Dining 6/27/2016 11:01:00 AM View Count 29309 Enjoy a day’s menu of good food and camaraderie of the campfire ring with these meal-time suggestions. While the recipes may seem extensive, it’s mostly toss in the ingredients, heat and eat.
Boil Advisory Lifted for City of Moravia 6/24/2016 3:45:00 PM View Count 3859 MORAVIA – A boil advisory for the city of Moravia in Appanoose County has been lifted. Water samples collected from the system show the water is safe to drink.
DNR Investigates Red Dye in Stream Near Clarinda 6/24/2016 12:56:00 PM View Count 4327 CLARINDA – Red dye poured into a storm sewer in Clarinda has reached a tributary of the West Nodaway River in Page County.
Water Summary Update Notes High Temps, Good Groundwater Levels 6/23/2016 3:11:00 PM View Count 4053 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 3814 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 3815 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 4613 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 4883 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 61649 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 3682 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 4023 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 5600 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 12461 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 5524 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 3765 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 3877 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 3364 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 4429 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 4741 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 4227 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 5822 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 4274 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 3982 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 4869 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 74987 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 22829 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 4247 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 4031 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 4352 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 4580 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 4473 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 3847 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 3745 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 3612 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 58170 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 5026 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 4571 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 3621 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.