09032-017 Miller Creek Watershed Final Report

Miller Creek is on the 2006 Section 303d Impaired Waters List and has a 19,926 acre watershed. All indicators, as reported in the Miller Creek assessment, show that the impairment is due to sediment and nutrient delivery from upland runoff which contributes to elevated water temperatures, excessive algae, and low dissolved oxygen levels within the stream. In an effort to control these problems, the Miller Creek Water Quality Project will target areas of 5 tons per acre or greater soil loss or with 0.5 tons per acre or greater sediment delivery rates. The assessment revealed these targeted priority lands make up 32% or 6,395 acres of the Miller Creek watershed. Priority lands include cropland, pasture land, timber, and sensitive riparian areas. It is the goal of this project to reduce sediment delivery by 70% on 60% or 3,837 acres of these priority lands. This will be accomplished through installation of strategically placed structural practices, rotational grazing systems, and buffer strips. These practices will reduce soil loss, reduce sediment delivery, improve water quality, and improve wildlife habitat in the watershed. Utilizing partnerships with NRCS and IDALS-DSC will be important in making this project successful. In addition to using matching funds from EQIP, WHIP, and CRP, the Monroe SWCD is committed to prioritizing local cost share funds through IFIP and REAP for use in the Miller Creek Watershed.

1210-007IJ Central Park Lake Final Report

The Central Park Lake Watershed Assessment and Management Plan identified four categories where improvements are needed to remove the 23 acre lake from the impaired waters list. These include the wastewater system, runoff from surrounding lands, in-lake nutrient re-suspension and runoff from hard surfaces within the park. The lake is currently impaired for bacteria, algae and pH. Through outcomes of the Watershed Assessment and Management Plan, this proposal includes for abandonment and reclamation of the single cell wastewater lagoon site, replacement with three conventional septic systems and construction of two wetlands. One of the wetlands is located on the same site as the reclaimed lagoon and the other is located to intercept sediment and trap nutrients transported by tile lines. The prescribed wastewater system improvements are based on assessment by grab samples test by the State Hygienic Lab, development of a Preliminary Engineering Report, soil analysis and communication with IDNR wastewater officials. The two wetland sites were assessed by officials from IDALS and the Jones County SWCD. This project is part of $1.7 million lake restoration effort to reclaim the 47 year old lake. The lake has a positive economic impact of more than $7.6 million annually and supports an average annual visitation of 58,145, according to the Iowa Lakes Valuation Project, conducted by Iowa State University.

1016-010 Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Final Report

Part of a phased approach, an intensive information and education program, construction of erosion control practices, and sediment control on construction sites is proposed. These proposed practices will manage sediment runoff and nutrient runoff on agricultural and urban areas. Sediment control “structures” such as waterways, wetlands, modified terraces, grade stabilization structures, sediment basins, and rain gardens is proposed and will be combined with nutrient and pesticide management and reduced tillage to reduce non-point source pollution. A reduction of 15% of the sediment and phosphorus delivered to a water body from priority areas will be looked at as a success in this short-term project focused primarily at education within the project area which is also, for the most part, the top 25% sediment load producing sub-watersheds. In addition, four urban areas have been identified as part of this project as needing immediate assistance. A combination of urban and agricultural conservation practices, shoreline revegetation, and education of landowners will be used to achieve these results on both the urban and the agricultural arena.

1233-015IJ Miller Creek Watershed Final Report

Miller Creek, a 19,926 acre watershed, is listed on the 2008 Section 303d Impaired Waters List. All indicators, as reported in the Miller Creek assessment, show that the impairment is due to nutrient and sediment delivery from upland runoff which contributes to elevated water temperatures, excessive algae, and low dissolved oxygen levels within the stream. The WIRB board provided implementation grant funds in 2010 for a three year project to treat targeted areas of 5 tons per acre or greater soil loss with an estimated reduction of 2,547 tons. As of December 1, 2012, with 95% of the funds allocated, the final results are estimated to provide a sediment delivery reduction of 4,500 tons and an estimated phosphorus reduction of 5,700 lbs per year. These accomplishments and the completion of the three year Miller Creek WIRB project represent "Phase I" of the SWCD's goals to treat the Miller Creek watershed. This application represents "Phase II" or the final phase of the Miller Creek water quality project. The Monroe SWCD plans to reduce sediment delivery by 70% on an additional 245 acres of priority land. This goal will be accomplished through installation of strategically placed structural practices, BMPs, and grazing systems. These practices will reduce soil loss, nutrient runoff, and sediment delivery as well as improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the watershed. Utilization of partnerships with NRCS and IDALS-DSC will continue to be an important part to the success of the project. Project goals will be achieved by utilizing matching funds from EQIP, and the Monroe SWCD has approved the use of District IFIP cost share funds specifically for use in the Miller Creek Watershed.

1015-009 Indian Creek Watershed Final Report

The focus of this project is "Indian Creek", a tributary to Cedar Creek which eventually empties into the Lower Skunk River. Indian Creek suffers from deteriorated water quality resulting from high volumes of urban stormwater runoff resulting in streambank erosion, combined sewer overflows and chemical and floatable litter pollution from roadways. The "Creative Solution for Indian Creek Water Quality" project will work with a local commercial business to create a model urban project The project will reduce the volume of urban stormwater by 930,000 gallons annually entering Indian Creek as well as reduce the volume of discharge water by 500,000 gallons annually. The local business will develop a system to divert stormwater from l acre of their roof as well as coolant discharge water from their factory into an existing retention pond. In addition, the project will reduce demand on the municipal water supply by 500,000 gallons annually by harvesting water from the retention pond for cooling operations.

09029-015 Otter Creek Watershed Final Report

The City of West Union has been selected by Iowa Department of Economic Development as a Green Pilot Community. A major project within this designation is the reconstruction of the downtown business district public infrastructure in a sustainable, innovative, and replicable way. A key component of this project is replacement of the impermeable street and sidewalk surfacing with a porous paver system. This system, along with bio-retention cells in intersection bumpouts and sidewalk planters, will infiltrate, then cleanse and cool the storm water prior to a very slow discharge rate to Otter Creek. The project area will see a 95% reduction in peak discharge rate for a 100 year storm and a 20% reduction in runoff volume. West Union is located within the Otter Creek watershed, a designated cold water trout stream just below the city. Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District and IDNR consider improvement of the water quality of Otter Creek to be very important. This reconstruction of downtown West Union in a sustainable manner will be the start of an overall Otter Creek watershed improvement project.

Letter health consultation : Prairie Vista Development area, Altoona, Iowa (2009)

This letter has been prepared as a consultation to evaluate human health impacts from runoff from a farm field adjacent to your property in the Prairie Vista Development of Altoona, Iowa. We understand your concern, and want you to know that the Iowa Department of Public Health’s priority is to ensure that you have the best information possible to safeguard your health and the health of your family. That information is included in following paragraphs.

07025-010 College Creek Watershed Final Report

With this application, the College Creek sub-watershed in Ames represents both regional collaboration and locally directed action to improve an Iowa watershed. Already completed watershed assessment identified more than 4000 tons/yr of sediment delivered from within the Ames city limits due to degraded stream conditions. The water quality enhancement goal of this project is reducing sediment delivery specifically from unstable streambanks and degrading stream channels on College Creek, one of 4 Ames tributaries to Squaw Creek. The project will also redirect urban storm water runoff into engineered infiltration systems, intercepting it from storm drains entering College Creek. This application builds on storm water runoff demonstration projects and research already funded in the College Creek sub-watershed by EPA Region 7 and Iowa DNR. Public outreach, one of the key elements of this project, is built into every phase from engineering design feedback to construction. Innovative neighborhood learning circles are utilized to educate residents and share public feedback with project engineers to ensure that project elements are both technically appropriate and socially acceptable. All practices proposed in this project -stream stabilization, storm water infiltration, and neighborhood learning circle techniques-have already been successfully demonstrated in the College Creek sub-watershed by the City of Ames in partnership with Iowa State University.

07042-016 Kettle Creek Watershed Final Report

The urban portion of the Kettle Creek Watershed is experiencing severe bank and bed erosion due to unchecked stormwater runoff and a steep stream slope. The Kettle Creek Urban Watershed Improvement Project will reduce sediment input to the stream by stabilizing the steam bed with rock-riffle stream stabilization structures and stream bank improvements at select locations. Other components of the watershed are being addressed for excess sediment loads including the agricultural portion by constructing sediment detention basins, and the urban stormwater component by separating the existing combined sanitary and stormwater systems. The urban stream erosion factor represents the weak link in the current watershed impairment. The benefits of the all the watershed improvements components will be realized by all the residents of Kettle Creek Watershed as well as the citizens of Ottumwa.

08027-016 Competine Creek Watershed Final Report

Competine Creek is an 8,653 acre subwatershed of Whitebreast Creek which drains directly to Lake Red Rock. The Marion Soil and Water Conservation District has prioritized water quality protection efforts within Competine Creek subwatershed because 1) this watershed has been identified as a significant contributor of sediment, nutrients, and bacteria to Competine Creek and Lake Red Rock, 2) the watershed provides unique outreach opportunities due to its unique rural and urban interface, and 3) by using a targeted approach to address water quality, the likelihood of successfully demonstrating water quality improvements is high due to its manageable size. The specific goals of this proposal to WIRB (Phase I) are to: 1) reduce sediment and nutrient delivery by 1787 tons and 2144 lbs by installing conservation practices on high priority agricultural land; and 2) install urban conservation practices that reduce the volume of peak flow, improve streambank stability, and promote infiltration of stormwater runoff before it enters Competine Creek. The Marion SWCD has assembled a unique group of partners and secured funding from multiple sources to implement this project.

07040-015 Saylor Creek Watershed Final Report

Phase 2 of the Saylor Creek Improvement Project is focused on channel restoration. The existing stream channel is generally incised, running through areas primarily covered with heavy trees, brush and weeds. The ravine ranges from 6 to 20 feet deep through the corridor with very steep slopes in several areas. In two areas storm outlets are undercut or suspended above the channel. Tall undercut, eroded banks exist along several of the outside bends. Sediment deposition on the inside bends limits the cross-section of the channel, increasing flow velocity and forcing this faster flow toward the eroded outside bank. A wide array of practices will need to be implemented to address channel erosion. Improvements will be specifically tailored to address problems observed at each bend. The result will be a channel with a more natural appearance, and reduced use of hard armor and revetment. Some sections will require minimal grading with removal of underbrush for improved maintenance access and more sun exposure, better allowing deep­ rooted plants and flowers to establish to provide further erosion protection. Straight sections with steep banks will require grading to pull back slopes, increasing the creek's capacity to convey storm flows at slower velocities. Sections with sharp bends will require slope pull back and armor protection. A constructed wetland will collect and treat runoff from a small sub-watershed, before being discharged into the main tributary.

06001-001 Norfolk Creek Watershed Final Report

This project would target Norfolk Creek Subwatershed for land treatment practices. The Norfolk Creek Subwatershed is 14,035 acres located southwest of Waukon. The landscape is characterized by rugged karst topography and is marked with hundreds of sinkholes, providing direct drainage into the water table, affecting wells, springs, and community water sources. The surface groundwater runoff from this karst landscape eventually flows into the Yellow River. The potential point and non-point pollution sources are complicated and expensive to resolve. Extensive water quality monitoring has been completed on Norfolk Creek and has tested high in many parameters. We hope that with the upland treatment included in this grant request, terraces, grade stabilization structures, sediment control basins, and livestock manure management systems, these will improve. Continued water quality sampling will monitor this. This application has been reviewed and approved by the Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners.

06017-009 Saylor Creek Watershed Final Report

With the Saylor Creek Watershed Improvement Project, Iowa Heartland RC&D and other area stakeholders have an opportunity to display how "best management practices" (BMPs) can reduce storm water runoff and improve the quality of that runoff in an urban setting. Conservation design is a uew approach to storm water management that addresses the negative impacts of storm water runoff and turns them into a positive. The master plan for the Prairie Trail development surrounding the watershed project will incorporate bioretention cells, bioswales, buffer strips, rain gardens, as well as native plant landscaping to slow storm water runoff and naturally clean sediment out of the water before it reaches Saylor Creek. In addition to conservation design elements, the project will utilize storm water detention ponds and creek bed restoration to develop a complete storm water "treatment train" system within Prairie Trail. The extensive use of conservation storm water management for Prairie Trail is unique for urban development in Iowa.

06003-002 Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Final Report

Upper Catfish Creek is located in a 9,300-acre watershed that flows through two significant natural resources, Swiss Valley Park and Swiss Valley Nature Preserves, one of the largest nature preserves in the Midwest. According to DNR’s 2002 305(d) report, that portion of the creek within the park and preserve is classified as a Class B(CW) cold water stream of which a portion has naturally reproducing trout (one of only 30 in the state of Iowa with this capability). Urban sprawl is a real threat to the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed. Currently, 10% of the watershed is residential, but 27% is zoned residential or commercial. The watershed is near Dubuque city limits but the jurisdiction is in the county. Differing criteria for land development between city and county jurisdictions further entices developers to build in outlying areas. County leaders agree there is more that needs to be done and will work with municipalities on uniformity of regulations and follow-up measures. We propose to set up key urban conservation practice models that will address storm water runoff and water quality which can be learned about and viewed by city and county officials, engineers, developers, etc. This would be part of a larger initiative including an educational campaign, inter-jurisdictional planning, the development of a land use GIS database, and agricultural conservation practices. The successes coming out of and learned about this watershed will serve as a model to spread county-wide.

07003-001 Clear Lake Watershed Final Report

Clear Lake, Iowa's third largest natural lake, is a premier natural resource and popular recreational destination in north central Iowa. Despite the lake's already strong recreational use, water quality concerns have not allowed the lake to reach its full potential. Clear Lake is listed on Iowa's 2004 303(d) Impaired Waters List due to excessive levels of phosphorus, bacteria, and turbidity. Urban storm water runoff from the 8,600 acre watershed is a significant contributor to Clear Lake's impairment. Local communities have been working towards the goal of making improvements at all 30 storm water outlets that have a drainage area of five acres or more and have a cost effective solution. Many improvements have already been made, and now there are only seven storm water outlet sites remaining that still need protection in order to meet the goal. The storm water improvements have been very effective in reducing contaminants in urban runoff, achieving reduction levels in the 50-80% range. The proposed Clear Lake Storm Water Improvement Project will address the remaining seven outlet sites and take place over three years. The first year will consist of performing engineering and design of storm water best management practices (BMPs) at the seven outlet sites to determine if a cost effective solution exists for each. Years two and three will consist of installing two storm water improvements each year to implement the most cost effective BMPs at a minimum of four of the seven sites. The grant request addresses one of the main priorities of the Iowa Watershed Improvement Grant: storm water runoff.