Conservation Connection
Watershed Matchup #2: Clear Creek VS Clear Creek
This post is part of a series for 2019 Watershed Awareness Month, comparing water quality in a pair of local creeks to learn how land and people influence water. Clear Creek @Hyland on May 18 Clear...
Watershed Matchup #1: Long Dick Creek VS Bear Creek
This post is part of a series for 2019 Watershed Awareness Month, comparing water quality in a pair of local creeks to learn how land and people influence water. Long Dick Creek and Bear Creek both...
Roots and mussels on the South Skunk River
This is a good time of year to enjoy the South Skunk River Water Trail and other local waterways! I joined the Skunk River Paddlers this weekend, paddling my kayak from Anderson Access to West...
3 Lessons from the Iowa Water Conference
Several of our staff attended the Iowa Water Conference on March 12 and 13. The event brings together hundreds of smart, hard-working people that are working to improve water quality, restore...
Watershed Planning Update
An update on our watershed planning efforts is long overdue. Our NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant for the “Keigley” watershed project wrapped up in September of 2018. Here’s some of the...
Counting our blessings: 1,165 acres of grassed waterways
Look down from a plane in any part of the state and you will see Iowa farmers’ commitment to soil and water conservation etched into the landscape. Using aerial photos and Lidar from 2007-2010, the...
Nutrient loading is like… beer
On June 14, Squaw Creek rose to flood stage. On the same day, nitrate concentrations in Squaw Creek dropped from 11.8 mg/L to 2.7 mg/L. Does that mean that June’s storm clouds had a silver lining...
Story County Watershed Signs
Story County roads now have 50 signs marking the boundaries between watersheds. Another 105 signs label creeks at bridges. As you drive around Story County, we hope you will have a...
Upgrade your sewage treatment plant, get a free bioswale!
Does the State Revolving Fund (SRF) do infomercials for its Clean Water Loans? I think they should because SRF Sponsored Projects are a classic case of "buy-one-get-one-free." We usually focus on...