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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: waterReturn

Management planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found at Lost Island Lake

• 8/2/2022 12:09:00 PM
• View Count 3319

RUTHVEN – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil is growing at four sites along the west and southwest side of Lost Island Lake, located three miles north of Ruthven in Palo Alto County.

DNR to accept public comment for water quality certification of permit

• 7/14/2022 11:37:00 AM
• View Count 3857

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting public and stakeholder comments regarding the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of the new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Regional Permit 48.

Water Summary Update: Iowa sees below normal rainfall for third month in a row

• 7/7/2022 11:28:00 AM
• View Count 3874

DES MOINES — Iowa’s June precipitation was 3.75 inches, 1.51 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Stay safe paddling this 4th of July holiday weekend

• 6/28/2022 3:13:00 PM
• View Count 2944

Iowa lakes and rivers will be busy with paddlers this long holiday weekend.

Operation Dry Water starts July 2

• 6/21/2022 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 4679

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.

Wastewater overflow in Carroll

• 6/20/2022 4:03:00 PM
• View Count 2581

CARROLL—Untreated wastewater overflowed from a manhole near St. Anthony Regional Hospital on the southeast side of Carroll Monday morning.

Water Summary Update: Some improvement in drought conditions despite below normal May rainfall

• 6/9/2022 2:15:00 PM
• View Count 1849

DES MOINES - Iowa’s precipitation in May was 3.46 inches, 1.38 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Treated, but not disinfected, wastewater being released in Eldora

• 6/1/2022 6:44:00 AM
• View Count 1730

ELDORA—A leak in a pipeline leaving the Eldora wastewater treatment plant caused treated wastewater to flow into the Iowa River recently.

Boaters in Western Iowa urged to use caution due to low water conditions

• 5/24/2022 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 1609

Water levels in oxbow lakes adjacent to the Missouri River are lower than normal going into the summer due to consecutive years of abnormally dry conditions in western Iowa and historic low flows in the Missouri River this past winter. Access to these lakes may be compromised.

Online information available for Lake Anita Water Quality Improvement Plan

• 5/19/2022 11:05:00 AM
• View Count 1176

ANITA – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Lake Anita in Cass County can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.

Iowa DNR County Creek Sign Grant Program announced

• 5/12/2022 11:30:00 AM
• View Count 1741

DES MOINES—Conservation and natural resource groups interested in building awareness of Iowa’s creeks and watersheds can now apply for grants to put up signage. 

Popular central Iowa paddling destination closed

• 5/10/2022 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 2076

This week’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers. Water recreationists should be aware of bridge construction projects across Iowa.

National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27: Three tips to make boating safer this season

• 5/10/2022 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 1218

The nation’s largest recreational boating safety event of the year, National Safe Boating Week, is May 21–27, serves as a reminder to boaters to keep safety front and center all season long. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers three tips for boaters to be safety heroes on the water.

Water Summary Update: Near-average April rains help drought conditions improve

• 5/5/2022 2:57:00 PM
• View Count 1131

DES MOINES — Precipitation for April averaged 3.20 inches, about a half inch below normal. The near-normal rainfall helped to continue improvement of drought conditions in Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Join DNR watershed project groups for Earth Day

• 4/21/2022 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 919

DES MOINES - Earth Day provides many ways to enjoy our natural resources or simply to help. 

DNR to host online public meeting regarding Supreme Beef water allocation permit

• 4/14/2022 2:42:00 PM
• View Count 1397

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host an online virtual public meeting via Zoom April 25 to gather public comment on the Supreme Beef, LLC application to renew its water use and allocation permit.

Ongoing wastewater discharge on west side of Creston

• 4/12/2022 4:45:00 PM
• View Count 772

CRESTON—A collapsed streambank and broken sewer line on Hurley Creek resulted in a wastewater discharge to the creek today.

DNR monitoring for avian influenza in wild birds

• 4/8/2022 9:15:00 AM
• View Count 2927

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and its federal partners are working together to monitor for the presence of avian influenza in Iowa’s wild birds.

Water Summary Update: Drought conditions improve with March rainfall

• 4/7/2022 11:57:00 AM
• View Count 1241

DES MOINES — Precipitation for March averaged 2.67 inches, almost a half inch above normal. This above-normal rainfall helped to improve drought conditions across many areas of the state, especially in the southern and eastern parts of Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

DNR seeking public comment on certification and antidegradation review

• 4/7/2022 11:56:00 AM
• View Count 1047

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is soliciting comments for the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regional Permits 34, 39 and 11-02.

Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

• 3/24/2022 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 1645

LAKE PARK, Iowa - Work is underway on a shoreline stabilization project on the northwest section of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County, that is part of a water quality improvement project for the 1,032-acre natural lake. Due to the nature of the project, the contractor has temporarily closed the northwest access road.

Wastewater discharge south of Sioux Center

• 3/16/2022 2:58:00 PM
• View Count 1125

SIOUX CENTER—An unknown amount of wastewater from a packing plant reached a tributary of the West Branch of the Floyd River south of Sioux Center.

Iowa DNR hiring seasonal water quality monitoring staff for summer

• 3/10/2022 2:12:00 PM
• View Count 1297

DES MOINES - The Iowa DNR’s Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section is currently hiring seasonal natural resource aides for the summer.

Water Summary Update: Extremely dry February leads to drought expansion

• 3/10/2022 2:05:00 PM
• View Count 1065

DES MOINES — Last month was the sixth driest February on record for Iowa, and the lack of precipitation resulted in the expansion of drought conditions across the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

DNR releases latest draft of 303d impaired waters list

• 2/21/2022 4:11:00 PM
• View Count 2478

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa DNR today shows 48 impairments are recommended to be removed from the 2020 303d impairment list, once the removals are approved by the EPA.

Water Summary Update: 2022 starts with a dry and cold January

• 2/10/2022 4:37:00 PM
• View Count 1557

DES MOINES — The new year has started colder and drier than normal, as Iowa ended January with an average of 0.68 inches of moisture, and an average temperature of 14.7 degrees, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Wastewater discharge in city of Storm Lake

• 1/19/2022 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 1503

STORM LAKE—Early this morning, wastewater flowed into the city of Storm Lake’s storm sewers for less than an hour.

Dry year ends on a wet note - 2021 Water Summary Update

• 1/13/2022 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 928

DES MOINES — Last year was the second dry year in a row for Iowa. Over the previous 24 months parts of central and west central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture.

Water Summary Update: Despite dry November, drought conditions improve and stabilize

• 12/9/2021 1:17:00 PM
• View Count 1414

DES MOINES — After a very wet October, November was drier than normal, but conditions improved over the month. As the state enters winter, conditions have stabilized, according to the most recent Water Summary Update.  

Lake Restoration Program draft 2021 Report and 2022 Plan available for public comment

• 12/8/2021 8:46:00 AM
• View Count 2519

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2021 Lake Restoration Report and 2022 Plan.

PFAS monitoring results expected this week

• 11/23/2021 10:40:00 AM
• View Count 1444

DES MOINES - The first of many test results for per- and polyflyouroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals are expected to start coming in soon. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades.

Significant October rainfall improves Iowa drought conditions

• 11/4/2021 12:07:00 PM
• View Count 1559

DES MOINES —This October ranks as one of the top 10 wettest Octobers on record, with rainfall significantly improving drought conditions, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Iowa Finance Authority and DNR announce Hometown Pride Water Tower Contest

• 10/14/2021 4:15:00 PM
• View Count 1770

DES MOINES–The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources today announced a water tower contest that challenges Iowa communities to show off their hometown pride in a short video for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind water tower design by Iowa artist Laura Palmer as well as design installation. The contest is in recognition of the importance of water quality and the State Revolving Fund’s efforts to assist nearly 700 communities in financing water quality improvements.

Water Summary Update: End of the 2021 Water Year sees continued drought conditions

• 10/7/2021 11:50:00 AM
• View Count 1802

DES MOINES — The end of September brought the 2021 Water Year to a close, and drought conditions have not improved significantly as the state moves into fall.

Waterfowl refuge at Hawkeye Wildlife Area closed until mid-December

• 9/28/2021 9:36:00 PM
• View Count 1502

SWISHER, Iowa - The waterfowl refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area is currently closed to hunting all species to allow waterfowl and other birds a place to rest during the fall migration. The refuge closed Sept. 24, and will reopen to hunting mid-December.

Iowa’s youth only waterfowl season starts Sept. 25 in the north zone

• 9/14/2021 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 1388

The first of Iowa’s two-day youth waterfowl seasons begin Sept. 25 in the north zone, allowing the kids to experience the fun of the hunt, without the pressure of keeping up with the adults, or fighting lousy weather. 

Public invited to Sept. 15 open house on current and future recreation projects

• 9/13/2021 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 1241

WEST DES MOINES - An open house to discuss current and future projects in the neighborhood of Walnut Woods State Park, Raccoon River Park and Purple Martin Water Resource Area is set for Sept. 15, from 6-8 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park Lodge, in West Des Moines.

Public comment period for Section 401 Water Quality Certification of Nationwide Permits

• 9/9/2021 12:06:00 PM
• View Count 1407

DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soliciting comments for the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Nationwide Permits.

Meeting to discuss statewide bacteria water quality improvement plan

• 9/2/2021 2:42:00 PM
• View Count 1110

DES MOINES – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in lake environments for bacteria can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel. 

Water Summary Update: August rainfall brings improvement to drought conditions

• 9/2/2021 2:37:00 PM
• View Count 1765

DES MOINES — August was the first of the summer months to bring above-normal precipitation to the state, providing significant relief to the ongoing drought conditions, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Iowa’s drinking water—something you can rely on

• 8/19/2021 11:05:00 AM
• View Count 1762

DES MOINES—Iowa’s public water systems deliver ample clean water, according to the 2020 Annual Drinking water Compliance Report.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for virtual waterfowl Q& A session

• 8/17/2021 11:47:00 AM
• View Count 1459

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a virtual program to that allows participants to ask questions from statewide experts and waterfowl hunting enthusiasts.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for Sept. 11 waterfowl workshop

• 8/10/2021 1:21:00 PM
• View Count 1603

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook waterfowl to youth who have little to no waterfowl hunting experience.

Water Summary Update: Despite average July rainfall, extreme drought returns to Iowa

• 8/5/2021 1:48:00 PM
• View Count 1540

DES MOINES — Iowa received 3.98 inches of rain in July, slightly less than normal, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for youth waterfowl workshop

• 7/28/2021 11:44:00 AM
• View Count 1583

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook waterfowl to youth who have little to no waterfowl hunting experience on Aug. 28, at the Olofson Shooting Range, near Polk City.

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