2022 Spring Snapshot Review and Ioway Creek Cleanup on PRI's Conservation Connection Blog at Volunteers in the Creek all Week.
11 March 2022: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Releases Story County Water Quality Monitoring Annual Report
26 Octber 2021: Our October 2021 volunteer monitoring event is a little different
* 16 February 2021: SQUAW CREEK RENAMED TO IOWAY CREEK!. It's been in the works for more than a year, but the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) has approved a name change to "Ioway Creek". We acknowledge the change and will be considering organizational changes that reflect our support of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and their work in the larger watershed of the South Skunk River.
PRI's WEEKLY UPDATE - Water Quality in Story County
Story County Develops First of Its Kind Water Monitorng and Interpretation Plan For 2021-2030!
If you have an interest in volunteer water quality monitoring, please check out the Isaac Walton League's Clean Waters and Stream Monitoring pages. Join us for the next Snapshot Event and/or contact Story County Conservation about your interest in monthly monitoring.
2021 Spring Water Quality Snapshot: Results have been shared here on the Watershed Maps & Data Page and in a blog post about the event on PRI's Conservation Connection Blog at 2021 Spring Water Quality Snpshot.
October 2020: Volunteers braved the cold for another fall snapshot! You'll find the data here on the Watershed Maps & Data Page and a blog post about the event on PRI's Conservation Connection Blog at Fall 2020 Water Quality Snapshot finds sensitive critters. We're very fortunate to have Dan Haug (PRI's Watershed Educator) leading these efforts and providing explanations for both volunteer and professionally collected data.
20 July 2019: Iowa Water Summit - "a meeting of the minds regarding volunteer water quality monitoring." Hosted by the Izaak Walton League of America.
13 July 2019: IWLA and Polk County Conservation offer 1-day Save Our Streams volunteer water monitoring workshop.
23 June 2019: WETLAND CONSERVATION FIELD DAY - WETLANDS, WET TIMES CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS (PRI).
23 June 2019: Iowa Water Festival (11:00 AM-5:00 PM; Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, Des Moines IA)
19 June 2019: Iowa won't follow stricter federal standard for beach water quality (Gazette)
19 June 2019: Community Forum - Water Quality (5:00-6:30 PM, Mt. Vernon, IA; the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences want to hear from local communities about water quality)
19 June 2019: Iowa Clean Water Social (5:30-7:30 PM; hosted by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Des Moines IA)
15, 16 June 2019: Linn County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League offers 1-day Save Our Streams volunteer water monitoring workshop.
14 June 2019: Study Estimates Thousands Of Cancer Cases Are Linked To Nitrates In Drinking Water (IPR)
13 June 2019: Pro H2O - a gathering to celebrate the value and importance of clean water in Iowa (6:30-9:00 PM; hosted by the Iowa Environmental Council at the River Center, Des Moines IA) <><>7 June 2019: Watershed Matchup #2: Clear Creek VS Clear Creek (PRI)
31 May 2019: EPA Recommends New Water Quality Standard for Microcystin (IEC).
29 May 2019: PRI Watershed Educator Dan Haug was a guest on KHOI Community Radio's "Local Talk" program, discussing water quality and soil health conservation practices. Dan's segment appears at about the 26 minute mark: KHOI Local Talk, 7am 29 May 2019
27 May 2019: ISU study: Prairie strips can yield big benefits for soil & water
23 May 2019: Squaw Creek Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Snapshot Prairie Rivers of Iowa (PRI) coordinated a Water Monitoring Snapshot of the Squaw Creek Watershed, the first since October 2017. Ames High students and other local community members joined PRI and the usual Coalition members. Results are on the Watershed Data page.
18 May 2019: Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring - Squaw Creek Watershed "Snapshot" (9 AM - 1 PM; start with training session at Brookside Park, Ames IA)
7 May 2019: Learn About Volunteer Stream Monitoring (7:15-8:15 PM; Ames Public Library Rotary Room, Ames IA)
30 April 2019: Learn about volunteer stream monitoring (PRI)
29 April 2019: Researchers Find Disease-Causing Parasite, Bacteria In Northeast Iowa Waters
20 April 2019: Squaw Creek Water Coalition - Educational Display at the City of Ames Eco Fair (9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Community Center Gymnasium, Ames IA)
1 April 2019: Story Co Conservation awarded Stormwater Watershed Development of the Year
27 March 2019: 3 Lessons from the Iowa Water Conference (PRI)
04 March 2019: Prairie Rivers awarded National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant
04 March 2019: Prairie Rivers of Iowa will use grant to improve water quality and wildlife habitat
13 February 2019: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Watershed Planning Update
25 January 2019: Flooding, E. coli, and cohesive management at the center of the Squaw Creek watershed
02 November 2018: Story City approves $244K wastewater treatment plant improvement
29 October 2018: Delivering Technical Assistance to Under-served Small Landowners (PRI)
11 October 2018: Cover Crop Week: October 14-20, 2018 (PRI)
26 September 2018: Counting our blessings: 1,165 acres of grassed waterways (PRI)
26 June 2018: Nutrient loading is like… beer (PRI)
15 June 2018: Soil as Sponges (PRI)
31 May 2018: Squaw Creek cleanup aims to promote statewide styrofoam ban
7 March 2018: Public input opportunity Monday for conservation, watershed planning
7 February 2018: Community invited to provide input at Keigley Watershed meeting
7 February 2018: Storm water erosion control project begins along South Skunk River
24 January 2018: Squaw Creek, county waterways could get cut of water quality funding
15 November 2017: Watershed meeting held in Story City
13 July 2017: Erosion control project being considered to protect sanitary sewer
22 June 2017: Work on environmentally friendly City Hall parking lot nears midway point
08 June 2017: Story County watersheds to be monitored for changes in quality over several years
01 June 2017: Water quality monitors installed in the South Skunk River watershed
May 2017 SNAPSHOT RESULTS are here. As always, many thanks to our many dedicated volunteers!
23 March 2017: Mitigating the dangers of low-head dams
29 November 2016: City Council OKs Squaw Creek flood prevention strategies
02 November 2016: South Fork Watershed Alliance Tile Inlet Field Day (Iowa River WAtershed near Alden)
29 October 2016: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Field Day to the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge
7 November 2015: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Field Day & Conservation Celebration
November 2015: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Nutrients in November Workshop Series to be held November 2, 9, and 17.
27 October 2015: Informational Meeting about the East Indian Creek Watershed, 7-9 PM at the Oriole Ridge Lodge, Hickory Grove Park. Story County Conservation and Prairie Rivers will share information with landowners and farmers concerning water quality within the East Indian Creek Watershed. Conversation will center on water quality, current improvement efforts, and future technical and financial support for conservation practices. They will also be looking for volunteers for water quality monitoring.
29 June 2015: Presentation of the Squaw Creek Watershed Management Plan - The Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition will be holding an informational meeting and an open discussion of the the Squaw Creek Watershed Management Plan. The meeting will also include a report from the Coalition on water quality monitoring.
6:30 - 8:30 in the Rotary Room at the Ames Public Library
Squaw Creek Watershed Management Board Receives Grant from IDALS (March 2015)
Three Watershed Demonstration Projects Selected to Receive Water Quality Initiative Funding (IDALS 3/15/2015)
Squaw Creek Watershed Management Plan Released (Ames Tribune, 1/3/2015)
Squaw Creek Watershed Board Approves Clean-Up Plan (Ames Tribune, 12/20/2014)
Spatially and Temporally Optimized Landscapes for Bioenergy, Food, and Ecosystem Services - Request for Letter of Supprt from the ISU Bioeconomy Institute (Ames City Councul Action Form, 12/16/2014)
Squaw Creek Watershed Management Plan Adopted - also at Prairie Rivers of Iowa (December 2014)
Squaw Creek Watershed Management Authority Adopts Mission and Goals (October 2014)
State grant sought to improve Squaw Creek (Ames Tribue 8/21/2014)
Board reviews new Squaw Creek watershed findings (Ames Tribune 5/15/2014)
April 28 & 29 - Prairie Rivers has scheduled two more Squaw Creek Watershed Management Authority listening sessions. Both sessions are open to the general public: Monday, April 28, 4:30-6:00 pm in City Hall Council Chambers, and Tuesday, April 29, 4:30-6:00 pm, Oak Room, ISU Memorial Union.
Squaw Creek Watershed Management Authority - View presentations by Pat Conrad, Water Resources Specialist at Emmons and Olivier Resources (EOR).
Squaw Creek Watershed listening session set (Messenger News 3/9/2014)
Squaw Creek targeted for cleaner water (Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy) (Larry Kershner, kersh@farm-news.com, Messenger News 2/23/2014)
Watershed management authority reviews preliminary Squaw Creek findings (Ames Tribune 2/6/2014)
Squaw Creek WMA Meeting (presentation, Pat Conrad, EOR 2/6/2014)
Minnesota engineering company devising plan for Squaw Creek watershed improvements (Ames Tribune 1/7/2014)
City Council hears flood mitigation options (Ames Tribune 10/29/13 - The staff report to council is here)
ISU researchers to use Squaw Creek for water study (Ames Tribune, 6/28/13)
ISU Reserach Team to focus on Squaw Creek Water Plan (7/1/2013)
Story County awarded Squaw Creek Watershed management funds (Ames Tribune 12/1/2011)
Six Watershed Management Authorities Funded to Mitigate Future Flooding (IDNR 11/17/2011)
Rebuild Iowa Office: $10 Million in Watershed and Flood Mitigation Projects to Benefit Iowa (Iowa Flood Center 11/1/2010)
August 15 - Members of the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition held a water sampling demonstration at Brookside Park. Food and discussion followed. Initial plans were for a community float jointly sponsored with Iowa Rivers Revival, JAX Outdoor Gear and a local resident, but in sharp contrast to August 2010, Squaw Creek was too low.
DNR investigates fish kill in Squaw Creek (Ames Tribune 8/25/2011)
Approach to environment shifts under Branstad (Des Moines Register 8/20/2011)
Activist group to file complaint against Branstad appointee (Laura Millsaps, Ames Tribune 8/16/2011)
Suit threatened against EPA over farm pollution (Laura Millsaps, Ames Tribune 8/19/2011)
May - Volunteers tested 34 sites in the Squaw Creek Watershed on the date of the Spring IOWATER Snapshot. The results are posted at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html. The Fall Snapshot has been scheduled for October 15.
April 29 - IRR RIVER CURRENTS: A forum on revitalizing rivers was held at Chichaqua Bottoms, Polk County.
April 13 - Comments from Mark Ackelson, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, about the film Losing Ground. The videos on the Aftermath Of The Storm page were recorded over Marshall County (east of Ames) following a couple of typical rain events in May of 2010. Data from the EWG report suggest that the total average erosion (summed over the nine years 2002 to 2010) exceeded 20 tons per acre on agricultural land in 730 townships (16.8 million acres), exceeded 50 tons per acre in 257 townships (5.9 million acres) and exceeded 100 tons per acre in 61 townships (1.4 million acres). These numbers are much higher than what has been considered to be an acceptable, or sustainable, loss. (More at www.iaenvironment.org)
April 8 - Wastewater Discharge to Ditch Near Ames (DNR Press Release, 4/8/2011)
Gelb: Weakening water protections (By Marian Riggs Gelb, Ames Tribune 3/30/2011)
Overseeing Iowa's water - Proposed legislation removes programs from the DNR (Ames Tribune 3/18/2011); Q&A: Iowa water legislation (Ames Tribune 3/18/2011)
Beauty and the beast: Squaw Creek a destructive force in worst of times, a beautiful resource in best of times
By Erv Klaas, Special to The Tribune (12/24/2010)
Local watershed projects improve and protect our streams - Streambank restoration, filter strips, buffer strips, rain gardens, bioretention cells, porous asphalt and more, on the City of Ames Smart Watersheds Stormwater Programs page.
"Long-term Monitoring proves crucial in identifying problems in Story County" - in the Fall 2010 IOWATER Newsletter at www.iowater.net.
Conservation wins! What's next? - Iowa's new Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
SQUAW CREEK retains Primary Contact Recreational Use (A1) Designation: New changes to Iowa's Water Quality Standards were approved at the October meeting of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission. A portion of Squaw Creek (from it's confluence with Onion Creek to near the Boone/Hamilton County line) had been proposed for reclassification based on initial field assessments, but public comments submitted to the DNR supported the fact that primary contact recreational uses do exist. Portions of Indian Creek that had been targeted for reclassification will also retain the A1 Classification. Rule making documents from the 3rd round (Batch 3) of stream assessments are on the IDNR's Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis page.
October 17 - The Squaw Creek/IOWATER Fall Snapshot - A dozen dedicated volunteers sampled 32 sites in the Squaw Creek Watershed for the Fall IOWATER Snapshot. The results are back and are posted www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html.
October 2 - Another successful Skunk River Navy season ends. There are interesting stories behind these stories: Costs for oil leakage in Ames mounts (Iowa State Daily 9/30/2010) and Squaw Creek leak contained, estimate of damage still unknown (Ames News Online 10/7/2010)
June 2010 - Cedar River named one of America's Most Endangered Rivers for 2010 - #5 Cedar River, Iowa Threat: Outdated flood management
IOWATER ReDesign announced in the Spring 2010 Newsletter. One of the changes is that the Level 1 Training has been split into two workshops, an eight-hour "Introductory" Workshop and an optional eight-hour Biological Monitoring Workshop. The new Biological Workshop features an improved biological identification key and the use of an Index of Biological Integrity. Erv, Lloyd and I attended the new workshop at Briggs Woods. Also announced in the Spring Newsletter: our own Erv Klass has recieved the 2009 IOWATER Volunteer of the Year Award!
May 20 - The Iowa Learning Farm's new Conservation Station had it's opening debut at Ada Hayden Park in Ames.
May 15 - Thanks again to the Squaw Creek/IOWATER Snapshot Volunteers - Our results are back - see www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html.
A little Moore education Ames High students are environmental experts at local park (Ames Tribune 5/15/2010)
April 2010 - Cedar Falls named Iowa Rivers Revival's River Town of the Year! - We had an opportunity to see some of the BMPs in place on Dry Run Creek as part of the IRR's 5th Annual Conference. They're doing GREAT WORK in Cedar Falls!
April 28, 7pm - Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition Annual Meeting - in the Community Room at the Ames Public Library
April 24 - Thank you to JAX Outdoor Gear for another successful Wild and Scenic Film Festival!
Check out IOWATER.NET! You'll find a lot of new information and interesting links including new IOWATER Lakes, Bacteria, and Biological reports and a new Aquatic Macroinvertebrates website from the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab (UHL) Limnology Department.
The Fall 2009 IOWATER Newsletter contains a summary of reports by IOWATER staff including biological and bacteria assessments. Thanks to our many dedicated volunteers the Squaw Creek Watershed is well represented. There's also an article by Mike Todd about monitoring the impact of the the high school area on the water quality of Squaw Creek.
Become a River Citizen at www.1mississippi.net. The December 2009 River Citizens Newsletter includes an article about high chloride levels found in some urban streams.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a network of over 15,000 volunteer observers who check precipitation amounts on a daily basis across the U.S. You too can participate - no experience required!
Ames City Council agrees on UV wastewater disinfection (Ames Tribune 11/18/09)
October 10 - The IOWATER Squaw Creek Snapshot! Many thanks to the 15 volunteers that braved the low temps and snowy forecast. We were able to sample 50 sites within the Squaw Creek Watershed. Results are back - see www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html.
August 13 - The SCWC, together with JAX Outdoor Gear and the ISU Outdoor Rec program, sponsored a public float on Squaw Creek. There were about 35 participants and all seemed to enjoy the evening despite the extremely low flow - about 11 cfs at the USGS gauge! Thanks to all...
Balance sought between water quality and South Duff development - Storm water management concerns near municipal wells. (Ames Tribune 8/14/09)
July 6 - The Coalition was presented with a check from the proceeds of the JAX Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival and Enviro Fair, held April 25th at the ISU Memorial Union.
Another big THANK YOU to the Squaw Creek Snapshot volunteers... The Spring Snapshot results can be found on the WATERSHED MAPS & DATA page. The next Squaw Creek Snapshot will be held on Saturday October 10, though we'll be meeting to discuss the possibilty of more frequent snapshots of 10-12 select sites across the watershed.
Ecology and economy dovetail in the Boone River Watershed Project - in the May/June 2009 issue of The Iowan magazine.
Public comment period on proposed recreational use designations extended to May 20. There are 119 stream segments being recommended for a lower recreational use standard in this second round of assessments. It is important that you participate in the process if you have knowledge of recreational uses of these segments, and please remember to record any recreational uses that you witness or see evidence of while sampling. A third round of assessments is expected to include stream segments in this area.
STATE WATER TRAILS SURVEY Mimi Wagner is working with the DNR's Rivers Program to develop a Statewide Water Trails Plan. Your thoughts and experiences are an important part of the process - it takes just 10-15 minutes to complete.
Middle school students learn about creek restoration in joint ISU, city project By Teresa Kay Albertson, Special to The Tribune 4/12/09
INHF 30 Minutes For Conservation Challenge
March 25 - The Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition Annual Meeting featured guests Cassie Herringshaw (Graduate Research Assistant in Environmental Sciences) who spoke about "Linkages among land cover, water and habitat quality, and invertebrates in local urban and agricultural streams" and Jan Thompson (Natural Resource Ecology and Management) who presented on "Local participation in stormwater management: The Daley Park riparian buffer." Mike Lazere was elected to chair the coalition. Thank you to Cassie, Jan, Mike, and to John Pohlman for his past service.
IOWATER Spring 2009 Newsletter now available online!
DNR-funded conservation practices reduce water pollution in 2008 - DNR News February 19, 2009
The film Flow, a documentary about The World Water Crisis, is now available from the Ames Public Library. http://flowthefilm.com/takeaction
Defending Favorite Places - Stopping the Spread of Invasive Species. This documentary video is part of a campaign to bring all outdoors enthusiasts into the battle against both terrestrial and aquatic Invasive Species.
College Creek Water Quality Monitoring- 2008 Sampling Season Samples were taken monthly from June through October at four sites near the headwaters of College Creek. The samples were analyzed for phosphorus, nitrogen, and bacteria. Groundwater monitoring being conducted in this area has consistently shown high levels of Phosphorous, and Nitrogen levels above the federal drinking water standard.
THANKS ONCE AGAIN to the Squaw Creek Snapshot volunteers! The Fall Snapshot results are back and have been posted to the WATERSHED MAPS & DATA page at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html.
Experts: Ada Hayden Park lake could be healthier - Laura Millsaps (Ames Tribune 09/17/2008).
Sept 14 - (College Creek) Clean Water Festival shares research - Laura Millsaps (Ames Tribune 09/16/2008)
Sept 13 - Jan Thompson of Iowa State's Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management department led a tour of storm water management practices along College Creek and on the ISU campus. An Inside Iowa State article, Recycling the rain, also highlights storm water management on the ISU campus.
Sept 3 - ISU chapter of Sigma Xi 'Science Café' explores extremes of Iowa flooding and rainfall.
Erv Klaas receives statewide conservation award
August 13 Exec Board minutes
Emerson Drive neighbors help College Creek By: Laura Millsaps, Ames Tribune 07/18/2008
Governor Culver, Director Leopold Announce Funding For Water Quality Projects - DNR Press Release Posted July 17, 2008
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT from the NRDC Stormwater Strategies
July 16 - Storm Drain Labeling. Meet at 6:30 pm to label storm drains in Southwest Ames.
THANKS AGAIN, to the 24+ volunteers that participated in the May 10 Squaw Creek Snapshot! View the snapshot data on the WATERSHED MAPS & DATA page at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html.
College Creek topic of May 19 Open House (Laura Millsaps 05/18/2008) Tracy Warner and Mimi Wagner reported on the College Creek project at our annual meeting, and the open house at Daley Park is intended to provide area residents with information about planned improvements to the upper reaches of College Creek. The $600,000 project is a cooperative effort between the City of Ames and Iowa State University. The ISU Landscape Architecture department has created a website to provide information about specific projects and opportunities for community involvement. See http://creekcommunities.design.iastate.edu/.
May 15 at 8:30pm - The IPTV "Iowa Journal" program focuses on Iowa's aging and inadequate wastewater treatment facilities. Guests Susan Heathcote, Water Program Director with the Iowa Environmental Council, and Wayne Gieselman, Division Administrator of the Environmental Services Division of the IDNR.
Who speaks for the rivers? - Dave Kraemer writes about the Iowa Rivers Revival Conference (Ames Tribune 04/10/2008) and about keynote speaker Kenny Salwey (04/11/2008)
Remedies to Protect Water Quality at Ada Hayden Heritage Park By: Erv Klaas, Story County Soil and Water Conservation District (04/09/2008)
April 3 - Governor Culver signs legislation requiring septic tank inspections at the time of sale or transfer of property
March 27 - The SQUAW CREEK WATERSHED COALITION'S 2008 ANNUAL MEETING featured 4 speakers, with topics ranging from conservation practices on a watershed scale, to Rapid Watershed Assessments and an application for EPA 319 funding, to funded improvements planned for College Creek. Cathy Kling, Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, shared findings from the study "Conservation Practices in Iowa: Historical Investments, Water Quality, and Gaps." Tom Isenhart, ISU Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, spoke about Rapid Watershed Assessments of the upper Iowa, South Skunk and Boone Watersheds - and the nearly complete EPA 319 Grant application for Onion Creek. And finally, Tracy Warner, City of Ames Public Works and Mimi Wagner, ISU Department of Landscape Architecture, told of the Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) funded projects on College Creek. A short business meeting and recap of 2007 activities followed.
THANK YOU to the 27 volunteers that participated in the IOWATER Squaw Creek Snapshot! We sampled 52 sites in the watershed, and in a steady drizzle. The results are in and the E coli readings were significantly higher than those of previous snapshots. See OCTOBER 2007 SNAPSHOT RESULTS or contact rick(~AT~)squawcreekwatershed.org for more information.
SRN - "The main product isn't the trash, it's the people who participate"
DNR seeks citizen input to help determine proper stream designations. There are currently 279 streams proposed to be downgraded to A2. See the "Stream Uses Outreach Project" at http://iowa.sierraclub.org/ for state and county maps of all proposed changes. For the streams that you've paddled or otherwise recreated on, have you seen people swim, fish, canoe or tube? Have you seen children playing, or observed ANY evidence of human use? There's a short survey form at the Sierra Club website and the DNR has a similar online survey form at www.iowadnr.com/water/standards/index.html. Please provide as much detail as possible (it's also important to note when nothing has been seen) - the DNR would like to have all available information for a stream be brought forward and considered in this process. The deadline for public comment on these changes HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 2nd. (See the IOWATER Informational email for background information and additional links).
River fans fear Iowa will make waters less safe By Perry Beeman • Register Staff Writer • December 24, 2007
State panel suggests waterway cleaning plans A state panel unveiled a plan Wednesday to clean Iowa's waterways by offering an elaborate round of watershed assessments and creating a state council to address water issues. Des Moines Register, Thursday, November 29, 2007
DNR News - DNR Adds Watershed Projects to Note Soil and Water Conservation Week The DNR is recommending that the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) approve grants for ongoing efforts and six new watershed projects that will improve Iowa's streams, rivers and lakes. Posted: November 20, 2007
New Life in East Chicago - East Chicago wastewater treatment plant switches from chlorine to UV disinfection, chicagowildernessmag.org
Broken pipe results in manure release near Stratford Ames Tribune 10/17/2007
Rivers soak up pollution from Iowa's aging sewers By Perry Beeman, Register Staff Writer 8/26/2007
Ames draft wastewater permit approved by council By: Luke Jennett 08/15/2007
A fishable, swimmable, river Ames Tribune Editorial 06/28/2007
Groups get funding to install rain gardens By: Heidi Marttila-Losure 06/27/2007
Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) Grant awarded for water quality improvement projects on College Creek. The City of Ames and ISU Landscape Architecture students will design and install stream stabilization and stormwater infiltration strctures to help reduce streambank and channel erosion.
Numbers Grow, So Does Trash on Project AWARE by Joe Wilkinson June 26, 2007
DNR Asks for help in determining how Iowa's streams are used A short online survey requests documentation of existing recreational uses including swimmimng, wading, fishing, canoeing/kayaking and tubing. The DNR will consider these survey results when determining the appropriate level of protection for each stream. Please take a few moments to fill out a form for each of the streams and stream segments you are familiar with!
Your help needed to protect our streams - From the Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter: The timing is right for a public outreach campaign in support of the recreational uses made of Iowa's rivers and streams. The Use Attainability Assessment process can be heavily influenced by public input describing specific personal uses of the water resources and these survey results will help determine the level of pollution protection that streams and rivers will receive. The first round of 200 stream assessments and recommended designations will be acted upon during the spring and summer of 2007. (The DNR has posted a status list of current UAA's at www.iowadnr.com/water/files/uaa_log.pdf.) Download the survey here.
Iowa's impaired waterways list adds 135 By: Charlotte Eby, Capitol News Service 05/02/2007 (Iowa Section 303(d) Impaired Waters Listings)
MAY 12 SQUAW CREEK SNAPSHOT - Over thirty volunteers participated in the IOWATER snapshot, sampling fifty-three locations in the Squaw Creek Watershed. Results from the snapshot will be posted here when they become available. Thanks to all of the volunteers that helped make this year’s spring snapshot a huge success!
Iowa River on "American Rivers" endangered list Charlotte Eby, Capitol News Service 04/17/2007
DNR Announces New Grant and Loan Programs to Help Iowans Install Urban Storm Water Practices (Deadline for Proposals: Friday, May 11, 2007, 4:30 PM)
Rattlesnake Master and other natives coming to Ames Rain Gardens By Jeff Raasch, Ames Tribune Staff Writer 03/31/2007
Ames pool draft study released By Jeff Raasch, Ames Tribune Staff Writer 03/31/2007
29 March Meeting Summary
The SCWC ANNUAL MEETING was held March 5th at the Ames Public Library. The meeting featured presentations by Ashley Wendt on the Squaw Creek Watershed Assessment, Erv Klaas on Bacterial Monitoring in Squaw Creek, and by David Rowe on Fish Monitoring in Squaw Creek and several tributaries. Chair-Elect John Pohlman succeeded Jim as Chair and Rick Dietz replaced Gaylan Crim as Secretary/Treasurer. No nominations were made for the Chair-Elect position so it remains open.
Matt Neznanski: Vacation on the river Ames Tribune 02/22/2007
WAKING UP IOWA to the gift of it's rivers - Many are catching on to the idea By David Kraemer, Ames Tribune 02/09/2007
Water Magic, My First Paddle, Project AWARE 2007, and Liquid Highways to Adventure! Read about them all in the IOWATER Newsletter.
11 January Meeting Summary
16 November Meeting Summary - Cameron Pines Access, storm drain labeling, 2006 SRN season, October snapshot, 2007 annual meeting.
IOWATER_News_Nov_2006.pdf - Informational E-mail from Brian Soenen
See the October 2006 Squaw Creek Snapshot data at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/watershed.html
E. coli levels in Skunk River unsafe in 2000 By: Jeff Raasch, Ames Tribune 10/20/2006
Water woes? By: By Jeff Raasch, The Tribune 10/21/2006
October 14th Squaw Creek Snapshot - Over 30 volunteers participated in the first ever Squaw Creek IOWATER Snapshot! We sampled 45 sites in the watershed, from Hwy 175 near Stratford to South Duff Ave in Ames. Photos of the event are at www.squawcreekwatershed.org/Oct06Snapshot.
16 August Meeting Summary - Fishin' Funday, storm drain labeling, Oct 14th Snapshot.
29 June Meeting Summary
Project AWARE Paddlers Haul Tons of Trash from Iowa, English Rivers (6/27/06) - See www.iowaprojectaware.com
Boone SWCD receives $15,000 stewardship grant, Boone News Republican (6/19/06)
City urges water conservation in Ames, Ames Tribune 6/14/06
USDA Rapid Watershed Assessment Grant awarded to Prairie Rivers RC&D (5/25/06)
Skunk River Navy receives the 2005 Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Award
April 2006 monthly meeting
Public Float on Squaw Creek We had 20 boats (26 paddlers) on Squaw Creek April 9th. Thanks to ISU Rec Services and JAX Outdoor Gear for the boats, and to everyone that helped and participated.
Annual Meeting Highlights
Iowa Water Quality in the Des Moines Register
Minutes from the January 12, 2006 Monthly Meeting
Funded Projects of the The Watershed Improvement Review Board (2005) There were 45 applications totaling $12,000,000 and the review board opted to fund only implementation projects rather than planning/assessment projects. Additional information about the Clear Creek Watershed can be found at www.iaenvironment.org/LocalWtrshedProjsFunded.htm
Squaw Creek Monitoring, a powerpoint presentation of fish population assessments conducted by the ISU Student Subunit of the American Fisheries Society (October 2005)
CREP Wetlands in Boone and Story County
Down home on the prairie: Iowa State, Ames community help restore land to greener state (Elwood Prairie)
Elwood Prairie Restoration (from Ecological Restoration at Iowa State University)
Hallett's Quarry Watershed Project
Finding the links among cows, creeks and conservation