What's the problem with Farmers Creek?
Two fish kills within a three year period - caused by manure-laden runoff - killed more than 137,000 fish. As a result, the quality of water in Farmers Creek fell below standards set by the state for supporting aquatic life and landed on Iowa's impaired waters list.

Excess nutrients and sediment from the watershed, or the area of land that drains into Farmers Creek, are polluting the water and hurting the fish and other aquatic life. Livestock waste contributes to high nutrient and fecal contamination levels. Plus, the area's hilly terrain means that 86 percent of the watershed is classified as highly erodible land, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
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What's being done to help Farmers Creek?
In 2005, restoration work began to correct the problems facing Farmers Creek. Streambank stabilization and grade stabilization structures are just some of the conservation practices being implemented to begin this process. Stabilized streambanks with rocks (rip rap), grass, trees or other cover, work to reduce erosion, filter out nutrients and minimize flood damage. Grade stabilization structures help reduce water flow to Farmers Creek.
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What can I do to help?
Landowners can consider installing conservation practices to control the amount of sediment, nutrients and other pollutants reaching Farmers Creek.

Financial assistance is available, and the benefits extend beyond cleaner water - often conservation practices can produce financial benefits, create recreational opportunities and provide habitat for wildlife. Landowners in the Farmers Creek watershed have already discovered this for themselves, like Carl Selzer, John Deppe, and Bob and Judy Kremer.

Volunteer opportunities, such as monitoring water quality through groups like IOWATER, can provide hands-on experiences while helping the Farmers Creek Watershed Project track the creek's progress.

Some monitors also report on the water's temperature and color, and on biological life in the monitoring area, which is often an indicator of water quality.

Monitors report their data to the IOWATER online database, where the public can view water monitoring results from across the state at IOWATER.

For other ways you can get involved with the Farmers Creek Watershed Project, contact Michelle Turner, watershed coordinator, at (563) 652-2337 or Michelle.Turner@ia.nacdnet.net
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Project partners Iowa DNR Iowa Department of Agriculture - Division of Soil Conservation USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service