IA DNR: Clean Water Starts With You: Upper Catfish Creek Watershed

Upper Catfish Creek Watershed to host low impact development (LID) workshop
The Upper Catfish Creek Watershed will host a workshop on low impact development, an innovative stormwater management approach with a basic principle to use design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate and detain runoff close to its source. The workshop is March 13 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque.
LID workshop flyer (*.pdf)
LID workshop brochure (*.pdf)

Upper Catfish Creek Watershed to host septic system workshop
The Upper Catfish Creek Watershed has received funding to provide up to 21, worth $100 each, good towards the pumping of septic tanks within the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed boundaries. The workshop will be held at the Swiss Valley Nature Center on Wednesday, August 22, from 1-3 p.m.

The District also will be providing 50 percent cost share (up to $3,500) for the replacement of one septic tank within the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project.

Dan Olson, an environmental specialist from the Iowa DNR, will be speaking at the workshop covering three main topics: Understanding how your septic system works; how to care for your septic system; and signs of a faulty system.

Paul Buss, the Dubuque County Sanitarian, will also be present at the workshop to address concerns, issues and questions anyone might have regarding their septic system.

To be eligible for the $100 vouchers, and/or the septic system replacement cost share, residents must be present at the workshop.

DNR awards grant funding to Swiss Valley Nature Center
A grant recently awarded by the DNR will help the Dubuque County Conservation Board control storm water at the Swiss Valley Nature Center near Peosta.

The $7,500 grant will help install a pervious parking area and a permeable grass paver walkway to reduce storm water runoff entering Catfish Creek. Permeable pavement, unlike traditional pavement, allows water to soak into the ground, rather than running off into streams or lakes.

"Runoff from urban sources is a large source of pollution in Iowa," said Bill Ehm, the DNR's water policy coordinator. "We're excited to work with the Dubuque County Conservation Board and Swiss Valley Nature Preserve through this grant to improve water quality in Catfish Creek, and hope that Iowans will visit the nature center to see how this practice works."

Joe Sanfilippo, supervisor of the DNR's Manchester field office, awarded the grant to Brian Preston, executive director of the Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, on June 19.

Eric Schmechel, coordinator of the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project, was also on hand. The watershed project is a partner with the county conservation board in the storm water project.

"The Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project is extremely excited to have this pervious pavement implemented in our watershed," Schmechel said. "By infiltrating most of the storm water onsite, the amount of water and pollution flowing into storm sewers and directly into Catfish Creek is greatly reduced. This project will serve as an excellent demonstration site."

Conservation practices, such as bioswales, rain gardens and permeable pavement, help slow and filter rain water as it runs off urban surfaces. As it runs across lawns and pavement, storm water can pick up pollutants like soil, fertilizers, pet waste and oil. That storm water washes into storm sewers, which dump the water into a local stream or lake without any treatment. Most urban conservation practices help storm water soak directly into the ground rather than runoff into storm sewers.

The DNR is awarding similar grants to organizations across the state, and selected grant applications based on innovative conservation practices and education efforts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided funding for the DNR grants.
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Eric Schmechel, Upper Catfish Creek watershed project coordinator, can help landowners
Eric Schmechel, Upper Catfish Creek watershed project coordinator, can help landowners install conservation practices to help preserve the creek for future generations.
More about Schmechel
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For More Information
Local:
Eric Schmechel
Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project Coordinator
(563) 876-3418 ext. 3
Eric.Schmechel@ia.nacdnet.net
Dubuque SWCD Office

Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Watershed Improvement Program Grants Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov

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