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What's the problem with Prairie Creek?
Prairie Creek was first listed on Iowa's impaired water list in 2004 due to a low biotic index, meaning low numbers and limited types of fish and insects living in the creek. These problems have been traced back to problems in the watershed, which is the area of land that drains into the creek. These problems include:
- Soil erosion, silt covering the stream bottom and soil particles carrying excess nutrients
- Runoff from open lot livestock facilities may lead to high levels of bacteria and ammonia, which can be lethal to fish and other aquatic life.
- Lack of in-stream habitat to support fish and other aquatic life
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What's being done to help the creek?
The Prairie Creek Watershed Project, which kicked off in June 2008, is working with landowners to improve conservation practices on their property. Plans include:
- Constructing practices in upland areas to trap sediment
- Reducing livestock access to the creek and its tributaries through fences and rotational grazing, which will lead to less soil, waste and bacteria entering the creek
- Installing filter strips and buffers to slow runoff and trap soil and nutrients before they reach the water
- Constructing waste sediment basins on high risk open feedlots
- Creating in-stream habitat for aquatic life
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What can you do to help?
Landowners can partner with the Prairie Creek Watershed Project to improve conservation practices on their land. Leah Sweely, project coordinator, can help landowners decide which projects would work best for their land and the creek. Financial assistance may be available for those looking to begin these projects. Contact Sweely at (563) 659-3456 or Leah.Sweely@ia.nacdnet.net to learn more about how you can help.
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What is the future of Prairie Creek?
By reducing the amount of sediment, nutrients and livestock waste in the water, landowners can help increase the numbers and variety of aquatic life living in the creek. Working together with the Prairie Creek Watershed Project, landowners can help ensure that future generations can enjoy the creek for years to come.
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Meet the project coordinator
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Leah Sweely, who grew up on a family farm in rural Clinton, hopes to involve the public with the Prairie Creek Watershed Project by creating a sense of community and ownership around the creek. Sweely became coordinator for the project in March 2008, and is looking forward to working one-on-one with landowners to help them add and finance new conservation projects.
"By choosing to participate in the watershed project, people can voluntarily improve and protect the future of Prairie Creek," said Sweely.
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Sweely began work for the Clinton Soil and Water Conservation District in 2005, after graduating in 2004 from Iowa State University where she majored in agronomy. Sweely was also appointed project manager for the Elk River Watershed Project in November 2005.
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Project partners
For More Information
Local:
Leah Sweely
Prairie Creek Watershed Project Coordinator
(563) 659-3456
Leah.Sweely@ianacdnet.net
Clinton County NRCS Office
Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Watershed Improvement Program Grants Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
