Author: Brad Crawford

By Posted on Posted in Organization, Water Sampling

The Iowa Geological and Water Survey is an indispensable partner in the Turkey River Watershed Alliance, allowing those of us in the Turkey River Watershed to implement water quality monitoring and assessment, complete GIS analysis, participate in outreach activities and programs like Project A.W.A.R.E. and IOWATER, and gain a better understanding of the geology and groundwater systems that are critical to how the watershed functions.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Flood Mitigation

The Iowa Flood Center and IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering (IIHR) at the University of Iowa have announced the selection of four watersheds for the initial phase of the Iowa Watershed Projects.

The selected entities and respective watersheds include:

  • Clayton County for the Turkey River.
  • Dallas County for the Middle/South Raccoon River.
  • Davis County for Soap Creek and Chequest Creek.
  • Floyd County for the Upper Cedar River.
… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Fishing, Point of Interest

By Rich Holm, Fayette County Union

Twenty-four miles from West Union is the largest coldwater spring in Iowa. The Big Spring Watershed is one of the most well-known and studied sites in the nation in a limestone-dominated landscape.

Flows from the spring usually range from 20,000-30,000 gallons per minute but can exceed 150,000 GPM after a heavy rainfall.

Scientists marvel at this geology in northeast Iowa, but sportsmen from all over the state have only one thing in mind when they come here – trout!… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Watershed Management Authority

By Keri Bugenhagen
News Editor, Cresco Times Plain Dealer
http://www.crescotimes.com/articles/2012/04/10/news/doc4f8447f5c9772282453276.txt 

POSTVILLE – A meeting regarding the Turkey River Watershed Management Authority (TRWMA) project was held in Postville, Iowa, on Thursday, March 29. The watershed was one of six in the State of Iowa selected to establish a management authority, which entails a formal partnership between various governing entities in the seven-county watershed area.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Flood Mitigation Tagged with ,

During recent flood events, many Iowans have found it difficult to relate flood forecast information to risks within their community. To help translate flood forecasting information into an easy-to-use format, the Iowa Flood Center is developing flood inundation maps for select Iowa communities.

IFC researchers are creating physics-based computer models to predict how a flood wave travels through urban floodplains. These high-resolution models can illustrate the extent of flooding under different conditions allowing Iowans to see how predicted flood levels could affect their property, and in turn helping them make informed decisions.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Fishing, Water Trail

AMES — Many of Iowa’s river towns are again embracing their waterfronts, and with good reason, according to a new statewide river use study by Iowa State University.

The ISU study showed overall economic impact from river recreation along 73 Iowa river and stream segments supported more than 6,350 jobs with $824 million in sales and $130 million of personal income.… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Organization

West Union Green Streets Pilot Project showcases innovative sustainable design strategies including permeable pavements, pedestrian crosswalk treatments, rain gardens, energy efficient lighting, and a district-wide geothermal heating and cooling system. The project includes the complete renovation of 6 downtown blocks and will replace aging water, storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure.

View the Live Web Cam of downtown West Union

Permeable Pavement and Rain Gardens Related Images:… Read more ›

By Posted on Posted in Watershed Management Authority
Thursday March 29th, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Postville YMCA Community Room (Directions) The Turkey River Watershed was one of six watersheds in the state selected to establish a Turkey River Watershed Management Authority! This is a great honor and a useful tool; it also draws statewide attention to our watershed. A Turkey River Watershed Management Authority will be a formal partnership established through a 28E agreement between cities, counties and soil & water conservation districts. Its formation will enable us to do many things, including secure funding for watershed planning and project implementation to improve water quality and reduce flooding in the Turkey River Watershed. The first step in establishing a Turkey River Watershed Management Authority is to bring all the political jurisdictions in the watershed together. Although many County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, County Engineers and other partners have been participating in the TRW Alliance, we have never invited the cities in the Turkey River Watershed to participate in the discussion or planning. We have also never formalized our partnership. On Thursday March 29th, we will have a Turkey River Watershed Alliance meeting from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the RC&D in Postville. This meeting will give us an opportunity to review our water monitoring protocol, funding and data. After a break for lunch we will be moving over to the Postville YMCA community room to have a Turkey River Watershed Management Authority meeting. Seven counties, thirty-seven incorporated cities, and each of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the watershed will be invited to attend this afternoon meeting from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. At this meeting you will find out more about what a Watershed Management Authority is and how you can participate.

By Posted on Posted in Water Trail
By Orlan Love, Cedar Rapids Gazette “Iowans are looking at their rivers in a more positive light, and that’s good for all of us,” said Nate Hoogeveen, river programs manager for the Department of Natural Resources. The heightened status of rivers, he said, has coincided with a nationwide surge in the popularity of paddle sports and with state and local initiatives to make rivers more accessible and attractive to recreationists. More Iowans are spending more time on their rivers, expanding the constituency for clean water and recreational opportunities, said Larry Stone of Elkader, a member of the Clayton County Conservation Board. The magic of moving water is often transformative, said Brian Soenen, founder and coordinator of the DNR’s Project AWARE, which in nine years has coordinated 2,152 volunteers who have removed more than 200 tons of trash from 700 miles of rivers. http://thegazette.com/2012/03/18/interest-in-iowa-rivers-surges/

By Posted on Posted in Water Sampling

By Rick Klann, Upper Iowa University
Submitted to the Fayette SWCD Report, February 2012

Upper Iowa University has completed three years of water quality monitoring on Nutting Creek as part of a Fayette SWCD project to improve the water quality in the watershed. Monitoring occurred from March through October. Samples were collected every other week from three sites along the creek.… Read more ›