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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: waterReturn

Late summer underwater aquatic plant control for ponds

• 8/1/2023 12:15:00 PM
• View Count 2976

A healthy pond needs aquatic plants, but too many can upset a fishing pond’s balance and become a nuisance. Many pond owners struggle with how to control the amount of aquatic plants, without completely removing all of them, so they can enjoy their pond.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for women-only waterfowl workshop

• 8/1/2023 12:06:00 PM
• View Count 3034

Polk City, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook waterfowl to women who have little to no waterfowl hunting experience.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for youth waterfowl workshop

• 7/25/2023 11:55:00 AM
• View Count 2850

Polk City, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook waterfowl to youth who have little to no waterfowl hunting experience on Aug. 26, at the Olofson Shooting Range, near Polk City.

Lake Keomah State Park restoration being planned

• 7/25/2023 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 3378

OSKALOOSA – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other project partners are planning a lake restoration project at Lake Keomah State Park to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.

DNR requests public comment on statewide lake bacteria water quality improvement plan

• 7/24/2023 7:27:00 AM
• View Count 2652

DES MOINES – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in lake environments for bacteria can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.

DNR offers public comment period on Chariton River Water Quality Improvement Plan

• 7/24/2023 7:17:00 AM
• View Count 2349

CENTERVILLE – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in the Chariton River can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.

Water Summary Update for June 2023: Drought Conditions Intensify after another dry month

• 7/6/2023 2:30:00 PM
• View Count 3473

DES MOINES - The state of Iowa experienced another dry month, with June providing 2.90 inches of rain, only 55 percent of normal. This continues the drier-than-normal trend seen in March, April, and May. The US Drought Monitor shows that nearly all Iowa faces some dryness or drought.

New electronic fee payment option for Wastewater Construction permit applications and NPDES permits

• 6/29/2023 3:16:00 PM
• View Count 2738

The Wastewater Engineering and NPDES Sections now accept electronic payments for Wastewater Construction Permit applications and NPDES permit fees on the Iowa DNR Payment System.

Cedar River Water Trail in Mitchell County dedicated June 29

• 6/27/2023 4:39:00 PM
• View Count 2558

The Cedar River Water Trail, in Mitchell County, will be officially dedicated as Iowa’s newest water trail during a public ceremony at 10 a.m., June 29, at Bennett Access along the Cedar River, near Osage.

Stay safe paddling this 4th of July holiday weekend

• 6/27/2023 4:34:00 PM
• View Count 2541

Iowa lakes and rivers will be busy with paddlers this long holiday weekend.

Major restoration effort to improve Black Hawk Lake nearing completion

• 6/20/2023 2:38:00 PM
• View Count 3098

LAKE VIEW – A second and final season of dredging on Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, is scheduled to end the week of June 18th. An additional two to three weeks of site clean-up and contractor demobilization will follow the dredging work.

Operation Dry Water starts July 1

• 6/20/2023 2:33:00 PM
• View Count 4246

DES MOINES - A group of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies will partner to focus enforcement of Iowa’s boating while intoxicated law as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence.

Aggressive treatment planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found in Lost Grove Lake

• 6/13/2023 1:16:00 PM
• View Count 3501

DAVENPORT - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start treating Lost Grove Lake at the end of June with the approved aquatic herbicide Sonar A.S. to eliminate Eurasian watermilfoil.

Collision on Black Hawk Lake Sunday sends two teens to the hospital

• 6/13/2023 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 3435

A collision between a personal watercraft (PWC) and a pontoon Sunday afternoon at Black Hawk Lake sent two Harlan teenagers to the hospital.

Drought watch in place with below normal rainfall in May

• 6/8/2023 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 3255

DES MOINES - The state of Iowa faced a dry May with only 2.54 inches of rainfall, which is just over half of its normal rainfall for the month. This lack of rainfall has led to deteriorating conditions in soil moisture and stream flows across the state. Southwest Iowa has been hit the hardest with less than two inches of rain, which is only 35 percent of expected May precipitation. As a result, Iowa's Drought Regions have been rated as "Drought Watch", indicating that at least three indicators in the ...

Drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake in Lewis and Clark State Park

• 6/6/2023 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 3162

ONAWA – Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. Launching boats is not recommended with the current low water levels.

Don’t be fooled by summer heat: Iowa’s waters are still dangerously cold

• 6/1/2023 3:56:00 PM
• View Count 3228

Summer heat entices many to plunge into local lakes to cool off. Air temperatures may soar into the 90s this weekend but water temperatures are much cooler, especially below the surface.

Water conservation alert declared for portions of northern Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County

• 5/26/2023 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 3551

AVOCA, Iowa - A mandatory nonessential water usage restriction is in effect immediately for the customers of the Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System. Regional Water Rural Water District has declared “Level Yellow,” the second of a system of progressive levels within its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

Boil order for portions of Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County

• 5/25/2023 3:51:00 PM
• View Count 2518

AVOCA, Iowa - Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Cass County residents and businesses served by Regional Water Rural Water Association, PWS # 8300184, are being advised to boil their water before using it due to a problem in the distribution system resulting in a loss of pressure.

Maquoketa & North Fork Maquoketa Water Trail dedicated May 31

• 5/16/2023 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 7324

The Maquoketa & North Fork Maquoketa Water Trail, in Jackson County, will be officially dedicated as Iowa’s newest water trail during a public ceremony at 10 a.m., May 31, at Canton County Park along the Maquoketa River, in western Jackson County.

River Users Should Avoid Area Near Adel Wastewater Facility

• 5/16/2023 12:24:00 PM
• View Count 2218

ADEL--Persons recreating on the North Racoon River should avoid an area immediately below the Adel Wastewater Treatment Facility where a pool of partially treated waste has collected after a release on Monday.

Environmental Protection Commission to meet in Emmetsburg

• 5/11/2023 6:58:00 AM
• View Count 1999

DES MOINES— The Environmental Protection Commission will meet in Emmetsburg, Iowa to tour the Iowa Lakes Regional Water, Osgood Water Treatment Plant and Lost Island Lake on Monday, May 15.

Water Summary Update: April 2023 - Another dry month

• 5/4/2023 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 2344

DES MOINES — Rainfall in April was just over two inches but 1.5 inches below normal for the month. This comes after a drier than normal March. As a result, streamflows are down across much of the state, and conditions are generally deteriorating in the eastern two-thirds of Iowa. While all of the Drought Regions of Iowa are rated as “normal, " downward trends are shown in the state's central, northeastern, and southeastern parts. The US Drought Monitor introduced a small area of moderate drought in so...

Water Summary Update: March 2023 - First below normal precipitation month of 2023.

• 4/6/2023 2:07:00 PM
• View Count 3399

After four months in a row of above normal precipitation, totals for March came in lower than normal. 

Major restoration effort to improve Black Hawk Lake water quality

• 4/5/2023 9:13:00 AM
• View Count 3840

DES MOINES – A second and final season of dredging on Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, will start this week and is scheduled to end in early June. An additional two to three weeks of site clean-up and contractor demobilization will follow the dredging work.

EPA recognizes project to restore Tete des Morts Creek in Jackson County

• 3/30/2023 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 3221

The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the Tete des Morts Watershed Project in Jackson County as a success story.

DNR investigating water release from livestock trailer wash

• 3/29/2023 10:43:00 AM
• View Count 2609

Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Field Office 4 were notified Tuesday afternoon of wash water release from an Iowa Select livestock trailer wash facility in Union County. 

State Revolving Fund Program announces loan forgiveness award recipients

• 3/23/2023 2:36:00 PM
• View Count 2381

The State Revolving Fund Program has chosen eight projects to receive loan forgiveness from the 2022 Clean Water SRF (CWSRF) Base Program and 2022 CWSRF Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental Funds.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources releases summary of PFAS sampling

• 3/23/2023 2:34:00 PM
• View Count 3488

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released a summary of PFAS testing of public water supplies from October 2021 to December 2022.

EPC to review solid waste rules, Air Quality draft budget and new participant in Solid Waste Environmental Management System Program

• 3/16/2023 12:31:00 PM
• View Count 2261

The Environmental Protection Commission will review adopted and filed rules related to solid waste, the Air Quality bureau’s draft budget for fiscal year 2024 and will be asked to approve designating the city of Muscatine as a participant in the Solid Waste Environmental Management System Program at its March 22 meeting.

Water Summary Update: February 2023 - New Iowa Drought Plan, continued wet conditions

• 3/9/2023 12:49:00 PM
• View Count 2677

This month’s Water Summary Update introduces the use of the 2023 Iowa Drought Plan (IDP). 

DNR releases Iowa Drought Plan

• 3/9/2023 12:47:00 PM
• View Count 3658

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has finalized a drought plan for use by local, county, state agencies and governments in the event of droughts in the state.

Applications open for DNR Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer subawards

• 3/2/2023 12:41:00 PM
• View Count 2397

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is ready to accept applications for Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer subawards, funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico division.

Hit to private sewer line causes wastewater spill in Bedford

• 2/28/2023 4:27:00 PM
• View Count 2992

A contractor for the city of Bedford accidentally hit a private sewer line while doing work on a water line Tuesday, causing wastewater to spill between 405 North and 102 Central Street. 

EPC to consider several contracts, rulemaking related to solid waste at Feb. 21 meeting

• 2/16/2023 12:52:00 PM
• View Count 5281

The Environmental Protection Commission will review adopted and final rules to consolidate regulations related to solid waste and consider contract amendments at its Feb. 21 meeting. 

New groundwater hazard statement rule now in effect

• 2/16/2023 12:50:00 PM
• View Count 7307

Changes to the groundwater hazard statement are now in effect. 

January Water Summary Update: Wetter than normal month, drought remains.

• 2/9/2023 12:39:00 PM
• View Count 5602

The start of 2023 was encouraging for water resources in Iowa. 

Black Hawk County receives funding for dozens of signs promoting creeks, watersheds

• 1/26/2023 12:04:00 PM
• View Count 9817

Black Hawk County will be implementing a few dozen new tools to promote conservation and awareness when staff install signs introducing Iowa’s creeks and watersheds later this year.

Groundwater Hazard Documentation rule changes effective Feb. 15

• 1/19/2023 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 9807

If you are in an industry using the groundwater hazard statement, circle Feb. 15 on your calendar. The statement will be changing on that date.

Water summary update for 2022 - Third year in a row of drought

• 1/5/2023 2:02:00 PM
• View Count 8563

2022 ended on a good note, with December’s precipitation above normal.

DNR issues Emergency Order to C6-Zero after explosion

• 12/16/2022 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 10946

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Friday issued an Emergency Order to C6-Zero Iowa LLC following an explosion and fire on December 8, 2022. 

Iowa’s native brook trout thrive in northeast Iowa streams thanks to restoration efforts

• 12/13/2022 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 7790

Years of work to protect and enhance the South Pine Creek watershed in Winneshiek County has allowed Iowa’s only native trout to thrive and continue to naturally reproduce in that stream.

Water Summary Update: Normal November rainfall, drought conditions remain

• 12/9/2022 1:34:00 PM
• View Count 5816

DES MOINES — The month of November ended with much of northwestern Iowa receiving below normal precipitation and southeastern Iowa observing above average totals.

Lake Restoration Program draft 2022 Report and 2023 Plan available for public comment

• 12/7/2022 1:10:00 PM
• View Count 6696

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2022 Lake Restoration Report and 2023 Plan, through December 21.

Black Hawk Lake restoration efforts receive national recognition

• 12/6/2022 8:56:00 PM
• View Count 5385

DES MOINES – Project partners behind a major restoration effort to improve water quality in Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, received national recognition for their achievements.

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