Clean Water
We work to improve water quality in rivers and lakes found in Iowa. We accomplish this work through robust education, monitoring, and by partnering with both private landowners and local government.
Here is what we’re up to now:
Water Monitoring in Story County
Water quality in most creeks and lakes in Story County is not tested by state agencies, so in 2020, we worked with 9 partner organizations to plan for how we could sustain a monitoring program at the local level. We continue to support the effort by collecting samples, organizing volunteer events, and making sense of the data.
Creek Clean Ups
So far, we have helped organize six volunteer events that removed over 12,700 pounds of trash from Ioway Creek, the Skunk River, and other streams in central Iowa. Depending on the weather, we may be walking, wading, or paddling canoes, but it’s always a good time!
Educational Videos
FAQ
What’s a watershed? Confused about water quality? Here’s an FAQ with links to some of our most accessible resources.
Past Projects
Past projects have focused on the Ioway Creek and Skunk River watersheds in Story, Boone, and Hamilton counties.
Conservation Connection Blog
A big part of our work is telling engaging stories to help explain the science and policy behind the environmental issues we work on. Here are three of our latest posts from the Conservation Connect Blog.
Tips for Creating a Native Landscape in Iowa
Interested in creating a native space and supporting our local wildlife but not sure where to start? Here’s some advice to getting started.
Ioway Creek Could Lose Protection
Ioway Creek Could Lose Protection written by Dan Haug, Watershed Coordinator for Story County ConservationEPA’s latest attempt to redefine “Waters of the United States” could strip protections from Ioway Creek in Ames. Who knows how many others are at risk! Please...
Iowa’s E. coli Problem: Tracking the Source with DNA Forensics
It's no secret that Iowa's waters are in rough shape. Nitrate is on the news, beaches are closed, the list goes on. Just take a look at the Iowa DNR Impaired Waters report for 2026. As the graph on the right shows, over half of the assessed river and stream reaches in...