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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Des MoinesReturn

Discounted trees available at distribution events this fall

• 9/3/2024 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 5105

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is offering large shade trees, low-growing ornamental and fruit trees, and evergreen tree species at discounted prices.

Summer heat causes fish kill on the lower Des Moines River

• 7/14/2023 8:27:00 AM
• View Count 4264

Video available on YouTube: DNR Fisheries Biologist, Mark Flammang, discusses the investigation and background of shovelnose sturgeon fish kill in the lower Des Moines River. 

Birders of all skill levels are invited to Iowa Ornithologists' Union spring meeting, May 5 – 7, in West Des Moines

• 3/15/2023 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 2721

WEST DES MOINES - The Iowa Ornithologists' Union is celebrating it’s 100-year anniversary as part of its annual spring meeting, May 5-7, at the Stine Barn and grounds, 4000 Turnberry Drive, in West Des Moines.

Land donors honored during reception in Des Moines

• 3/7/2023 12:13:00 PM
• View Count 2213

DES MOINES, Iowa – More than 5,900 acres of Iowa land in 22 counties with an estimated value of more than $21.1 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.

Natural Resource Commission to meet March 9 in Des Moines

• 3/6/2023 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 2343

DES MOINES – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., March 9, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor, north conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.

Big Hartford Marsh offers easy access to unique wetland habitat

• 11/1/2022 1:38:00 PM
• View Count 4462

Big Hartford Marsh has been hosting duck hunters from across central and southern Iowa for 40 years because of the ability to pump water onto its 400 acres, even during years of drought.

Boone Forks Wildlife Area offers rugged outdoor experience in north central Iowa

• 9/27/2022 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 4099

The confluence of the Des Moines and Boone rivers has been attracting visitors since before Iowa was a state. Today, its home to the 4,600-acre Boone Forks Wildlife Area – a popular spot for hunting, hiking, paddling, fishing and birding in Webster and Hamilton counties.

Operation Dry Water starts July 2

• 6/21/2022 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 5002

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.

Project AWARE cleanup to take on the West Fork of the Des Moines River Water Trail

• 3/15/2022 2:32:00 PM
• View Count 2099

Volunteers have the opportunity to spend their summer vacation cleaning up, learning about and exploring 61 miles of the West Fork of the Des Moines River from Petersburg, Minn., to near West Bend, Iowa, from July 10 to 15.

Walnut Woods State Park to offer online reservations for all campsites

• 3/15/2022 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 2023

WEST DES MOINES –Walnut Woods State Park will become Iowa’s second state park to make all of its campsites available for reservation through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) online reservation system, on April 1.

Saylorville Lake to host bald eagle watch Feb. 27

• 2/22/2022 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 2228

JOHNSTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Dallas County Conservation Board and the Des Moines Audubon Society, is hosting a free bald eagle watch Feb. 27, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Cottonwood and Bob Shetler Recreation Areas, at Saylorville Lake. 

Iowa is hosting a large population of bald eagles this winter

• 1/11/2022 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 4126

Iowa is in the middle of its annual bald eagle population survey and although the numbers are still coming in, all indications point to 2022 being a really good year for eagles wintering in Iowa.

DNR urban wood playhouse on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

• 12/14/2021 2:52:00 PM
• View Count 1929

A children’s playhouse constructed almost entirely from urban lumber is on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. 

Des Moines Clay Crushers dominate Iowa’s Scholastic Clay Target Program International Skeet Championship

• 6/1/2021 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 2394

The Des Moines Clay Crushers dominated the Scholastic Clay Target Program’s International Skeet Championship held this past weekend at New Pioneer Gun Club, in Waukee.

Upcoming meeting to focus on solutions for lower Missouri River flood risk management

• 8/20/2020 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 1646

DES MOINES -- An upcoming stakeholder meeting will help identify and prioritize problem areas along the Missouri River as part of a larger multi-state effort to address flooding in the lower Missouri River basin. 

Public hearing to collect comments on wastewater general permit renewal for mining and processing facility discharges

• 8/20/2020 12:24:00 PM
• View Count 1751

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold a public hearing on Sept. 2, to collect public comments on the renewal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater general permit for mining and processing facilities, otherwise known as General Permit No. 5 (GP5).

Public hearing to collect comments on wastewater general permit renewal for pesticide discharges

• 8/20/2020 12:19:00 PM
• View Count 1434

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold a public hearing on Sept. 1 to collect public comments on the renewal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater general permit for pesticide discharges, otherwise known as General Permit No. 7 (GP7). 

DNR investigating petroleum sheen on Raccoon River in Des Moines

• 6/23/2020 7:45:00 PM
• View Count 1873

DES MOINES—The DNR and city of Des Moines are investigating the source of an ongoing petroleum discharge near Principal Ballpark in Des Moines.

Boil Advisory in place for far southwest Polk County

• 5/4/2020 4:05:00 PM
• View Count 2394

WEST DES MOINES—The Southwest Polk Water Service has issued a boil advisory for an area near Walnut Woods State Park in southwest Polk County after a power loss caused a drop in water pressure Saturday night.

DNR checks on dead fish in Des Moines River

• 12/13/2019 6:06:00 PM
• View Count 2845

DES MOINES - DNR staff responded to multiple reports of dead and struggling fish seen along the Des Moines River today.

Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 10 in Des Moines

• 10/7/2019 10:47:00 AM
• View Count 2576

Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 10, in the Wallace State Office Building Conference Room 2 North, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

Neal Smith Trail closed at the I-35/80 bridge over the Des Moines River

• 9/10/2019 2:28:00 PM
• View Count 4121

GRIMES, Iowa – Work to repair and widen the Interstate 35/80 bridge over the Des Moines River will detour trail users of the Neal Smith Trail for their safety on a signed detour until summer 2021, weather permitting, according to the Iowa DOT.

Paddlers urged to use caution on two popular river sections

• 7/30/2019 3:03:00 PM
• View Count 3288

Paddlers need to use caution on the Raccoon River in Des Moines and Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County. Two natural hazards on Iowa rivers are reminders that river users need to stay aware, wear life jackets, and make safe decisions on the water.

Fish kills illustrate stream vulnerability

• 7/25/2019 2:48:00 PM
• View Count 2663

DES MOINES—Three fish kills reported to DNR in two days illustrate the importance of taking extra caution with chemicals and other pollutants when the weather is hot and dry.

DNR investigating fish kill on lower Walnut Creek

• 7/24/2019 10:45:00 AM
• View Count 2168

DES MOINES -- The DNR is investigating a fish kill along a two-mile stretch of lower Walnut Creek after a citizen reported seeing dead fish yesterday. DNR field staff were onsite yesterday and continue to investigate.

Easter Lake Park celebration to highlight lake restoration project and Mark C. Ackelson Trail grand opening

• 6/18/2019 2:06:00 PM
• View Count 3152

DES MOINES, Iowa - A celebration of a decade of restoration efforts at Easter Lake will take place Sunday, June 23rd, from 1-5 pm at the Easter Lake Park Beach, located at 2883 East Watrous Avenue in Des Moines. A grand opening of the Mark C. Ackelson trail will also take place at the event.

SLEIS training rescheduled for next week

• 1/30/2019 9:37:00 AM
• View Count 2724

The SLEIS training sessions scheduled for tomorrow in Cedar Rapids have been rescheduled for next Wednesday. The same training sessions will be offered in Des Moines next Thursday.

South Central field office moving to Des Moines

• 12/24/2018 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 2384

After five years in Windsor Heights, DNR’s Field Office 5, serving 18 counties in south central Iowa, will move to Des Moines.

DNR to eliminate common carp and gizzard shad at Easter Lake

• 11/13/2018 1:01:00 PM
• View Count 3877

Des Moines - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Polk County Conservation Board, City of Des Moines, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation, and other partners started working in 2008 to improve habitat and water quality at Easter Lake on the southeast edge of Des Moines.

1,750 archers compete at state archery tournament

• 3/13/2018 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 4627

1,750 archers from 86 Iowa schools participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament March 10-11, in Des Moines.

Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area opens for public use

• 8/24/2017 2:28:00 PM
• View Count 12542

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The metro’s newest recreational area is open for outdoor enthusiasts. On Thursday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, along with the Des Moines Water Works, the City of West Des Moines and the Friends of Walnut Woods State Park held a grand opening of Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area located off Army Post Road, southwest of Walnut Woods State Park.

DNR checking runoff from fire in Des Moines

• 7/11/2017 8:23:00 AM
• View Count 3724

DES MOINES – DNR environmental specialists checked dark, soot-smelling runoff in Walfley Creek near the Firestone plant on Second Avenue late Sunday and again this morning.

Sulfur Dioxide Data Requirements Rule Report Available for Public Review and Comment

• 5/16/2017 8:48:00 AM
• View Count 3259

The DNR is documenting significant reductions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in Des Moines and Wapello Counties in the first annual report required by the federal SO2 Data Requirements Rule (DRR).  The DRR requires an annual assessment of recent SO2 emissions in any area designated attainment based on air quality modeling of actual emissions.  

Peregrine falcons building on nesting successes

• 5/9/2017 3:01:00 PM
• View Count 7317

DES MOINES - Peregrine falcons have increased their presence in Iowa, with peregrine partners and volunteers now reporting 20 peregrine falcon territories in the state.

Fishing license check nets fugitive

• 4/14/2017 2:26:00 PM
• View Count 4970

FORT DODGE - David Scott Dayton, 30, of Fort Dodge, was booked into Webster County Jail Thursday after assaulting State Conservation Officer Bill Spece who was checking fishing licenses at the little dam in Fort Dodge.

2017 DNR sale set for April 22

• 3/28/2017 12:02:00 PM
• View Count 125163

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold the 2017 spring auction on April 22, at Pioneer Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines.  Doors will open at 7 a.m., and the auction will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Wastewater discharge ended in West Des Moines

• 2/23/2017 11:49:00 AM
• View Count 3739

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.  

Small wastewater discharge ended in Lehigh

• 12/29/2016 5:45:00 PM
• View Count 3693

LEHIGH – Responding to a complaint received by DNR, city officials in Lehigh found a valve on the wastewater lagoon was open on Dec. 28.

Diesel fuel contained after truck accident near Des Moines

• 11/8/2016 8:29:00 AM
• View Count 3793

JOHNSTON – The DNR investigated a leak from a semi-truck after it went off the road into Beaver Creek late Monday morning at the intersection of the I-80 west-bound exit ramp and Merle Hay Road in Johnston.

DNR holding public hearings on updates to surface water quality standards for copper

• 10/13/2016 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 3624

DES MOINES – The DNR is holding public hearings across the state this November to gather input on proposed updates to surface water quality standards for copper.   

Boaters Cautioned to Avoid Dredge Pipe on Des Moines River

• 9/13/2016 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 4057

Boaters using the Des Moines River below the wastewater treatment plant on the southeast side of Des Moines should be aware that due to lower flows coming out of Saylorville Reservoir, two dredge pipes running from a nearby rock quarry to Easter Lake are near the water’s surface.

Wastewater discharge diverted in West Des Moines

• 8/18/2016 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 3574

WEST DES MOINES – City officials are capturing and diverting wastewater from a sewer pipe discharge near Jordan Creek and Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. The creek runs along the north side of E. P. True Parkway before entering Southwoods Park.

DNR investigating fish kill near in Des Moines County

• 8/4/2016 4:58:00 PM
• View Count 3590

YARMOUTH – A fish kill near the headwaters of Big Creek about a mile west of Yarmouth in Des Moines County resulted in less than a quarter of a mile of stream being impacted.

Second fish kill in Des Moines County being investigated near Yarmouth

• 8/3/2016 3:37:00 PM
• View Count 3805

YARMOUTH – Environmental specialists and fisheries biologists from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are on the scene of another fish kill Wednesday in Des Moines County.

DNR Investigates Fish Kill in Southeast Iowa Near Mediapolis

• 8/2/2016 9:19:00 AM
• View Count 4105

Mediapolis – The DNR is investigating a fish kill along approximately five to six miles of Cedar Fork Creek starting about four miles west of Mediapolis in Des Moines County.

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