What's the problem with Lost Grove Lake?
Lost Grove Lake is threatened by excessive nutrients, sediment and organic runoff in the form of manure residue.

The most common nutrients in Iowa are nitrogen and phosphorus, which are needed for healthy soils and waters. However, there can be too much of a good thing with nutrients. High nutrient levels can lead to poor water quality and cloud the water. Other problems include low oxygen and high ammonia levels, which are harmful to fish and other aquatic life. High nutrient levels can also lead to potentially toxic algae blooms. Excess nutrients can come from a number of rural and urban sources.
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What's being done to help Lost Grove Lake?
The Lost Grove Lake Watershed Project has a number of conservation practices currently being used in Scott County. Landowners in the Lost Grove Lake watershed can improve the lake by partnering with the Lost Grove Lake Watershed Project.

Martin Ahrndt, watershed project coordinator, can work with you to evaluate your property and identify practices that can help both the lake and your property. Ahrndt can also help find financial assistance to install those practices. Landowners participating in the watershed project can generally get improved financial assistance opportunities.

Beginning in November 2006, 3.6 acres of filter strips along Lost Creek, a tributary to Lost Grove Lake, enrolled in a Conservation Reserve Program contract, while an additional nine acres are planned for re-enrollment. Filter strips are strips of grass or other vegetation used to trap sediment and pollutants attached to it from runoff.

Another conservation practice at Lost Grove Lake is grassed waterways. Grassed waterways in the Lost Grove Lake watershed are an effective practice in reducing soil erosion. These natural or constructed channels move surface water across the land without causing soil erosion. The vegetation in the waterway slows the water, protecting the land from rill and gully erosion. In 2005 two acres of grassed waterways were completed for one owner and 3.6 acres, split between two owners, were installed last year.

Since 2005, 13 sediment basins have been completed in the watershed. These sediment basins trap sediment and are constructed across a gullies to form a sediment trap and detention basin.

More than 1,000 acres are enrolled in the EQIP Nutrient Management program and more than 300 acres are enrolled in the EQIP Pest Management program.
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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 Lost Grove 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.
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What is the future of Lost Grove Lake?
Currently, the Lost Grove Lake Watershed Project has only worked with the upper 50 acres of the watershed and the main dam has not been constructed yet, but Lost Grove Lake has a number of conservation practices already in full-swing. With continued efforts from landowners, visitors to Lost Grove Lake will enjoy all that it has to offer. Lost Grove Lake will be a major resource for fishing, boating, hunting and hiking far into the future.
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Project partners

• Iowa DNR
• Iowa Department of Agriculture - Division of Soil Conservation
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

For More Information
Local:
Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District
(563) 391-1403 ext. 3
Scott County NRCS Office

Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov