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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Des Moines RiverReturn

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. 

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.

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 2098

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.

Iowa is hosting a large population of bald eagles this winter

• 1/11/2022 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 4125

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Volunteers muscle 40 tons of trash from the lower Des Moines River

• 7/26/2016 2:11:00 PM
• View Count 4745

DES MOINES RIVER – Southeastern Iowa’s Des Moines River is now 40 tons of trash lighter, thanks to the efforts of 329 volunteers.

Lower Des Moines River Expedition Set to Launch in July

• 6/9/2016 1:16:00 PM
• View Count 4271

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.

Project AWARE Cleanup to Take On Lower Des Moines River

• 3/29/2016 7:37:00 AM
• View Count 5208

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.

Project AWARE Cleanup to Take on Lower Des Moines River

• 3/24/2016 7:11:00 AM
• View Count 5015

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.

Paddlers Urged to Avoid Portion of Des Moines River Near Boone

• 3/11/2016 2:21:00 AM
• View Count 4413

BOONE – Kayakers and canoeists are warned to avoid a popular stretch of the Des Moines River in Boone County following the partial collapse of an historic bridge Thursday afternoon.

Four Water Trails to Explore This Summer

• 7/17/2015 7:01:00 AM
• View Count 12294

If you’re looking to blaze a new trail this summer, consider hitting the water for something different. Iowa boasts a number of water trails, which offer a unique perspective on Iowa in summer.

Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

• 6/19/2015 11:02:00 AM
• View Count 57770

The self-reliant can take advantage of several remote paddle-in primitive campsites, get surrounded by nature and leave other humans behind. The locations make for a Boundary Waters-like experience in Iowa.

7 Iowa Fish With Open State Records: How to Catch a Record Fish

• 6/9/2015 10:51:00 AM
• View Count 12630

Put your name as the first entry in the history books by catching one of these seven fish species we added to the eligible State Record Fish species list in 2013. With no records for these fish currently,you can be the first to set the record! Try these tips to help you catch a record fish.

Five water trails to explore this fall

• 9/4/2014 10:11:00 AM
• View Count 8201

If you’re looking to blaze a new trail this fall, consider hitting the water for something different. Iowa boasts a number of water trails, which offer a unique perspective on Iowa in autumn, from changing fall colors to wildlife.