What's being done to help Casey Lake?
The Hickory Hills Water Quality Project has a number of conservation practices for farms
and country living. Landowners in the Hickory Hills area can improve the lake by partnering
with the Hickory Hills Water Quality Project.
Larry Jones, watershed project coordinator, can work with you to evaluate your property and identify
practices that can help both the lake and your property. Jones can also help find financial assistance
to install those practices. Landowners participating in the watershed project can generally get improved
financial assistance opportunities.
Since the improvement program began in 2005, the Hickory Hills Water Quality Project has installed two water and sediment control
basins in the watershed. Water and sediment control basins are an effective conservation practice used
against sediment as they can reduce sediment by nearly half. These structures are built across gullies and are effective in trapping sediment.
These structures must be installed and maintained properly to see a reduction in sediment.
The Hickory Hills Water Quality Project has also installed two wetlands in the watershed with the goal of trapping sediment, preventing
soil particles and attached pollutants from reaching the lake. This removal can be important because dissolved nutrients
often have the greatest impact on water quality during the summer. Wetlands can also reduce peak water flow, which can help to
prevent streambank erosion and flooding.
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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 Casey Lake.
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.
The Hickory Hills Water Quality Project is also taking an educational approach to improving the watershed. The project is working
together with students at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo by
encouraging students to take part in workshops and events held throughout the year.
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What is the future of Casey Lake?
In 2008 the Hickory Hills Water Quality Project slated to wrap up and with continued involvement from landowners
and citizens in Tama County, the future of the watershed is only going to get better.
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