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 ›

Flood Mitigation

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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 ›

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 ›

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 ›
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.
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/
Organization

As an Iowa Great Place, The Turkey River Corridor is unique in its geographic size and potential. It truly is a regional great place. The communities of Clermont, Elgin and Elkader in Fayette and Clayton Counties are linked by the special, scenic beauty of the Turkey River corridor. Visitors relish in the abundance of wooded hills and rich rolling plains, streams and rivers, diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities.… Read more ›