Frequently asked Questions about Beach Monitoring, 2003

Part of Iowa's Water Ambient monitoring Program, produced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Frequently asked Questions about Beach Monitoring for Environmental Prefessionals, 2003

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Iowa Beach Monitoring, 2002

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Iowa Beach Monitoring, 2002

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Iowa Beach Monitoring, 2004

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Iowa's Beach Monitoring Program, 2005

This monthly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation is about the water quality management of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes.

Iowa Beach Monitoring, 2003

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

The Iowa Beach Study Experience, 2007

This monthly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation is about the water quality management of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes.

Iowa Beach Monitoring Program, 2007

This monthly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation is about the water quality management of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes.

Iowa's Beach Monitoring Program 2007, 2008

This monthly report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is about the water quality management of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes.

08006-003 East Okoboji Beach Final Report

East Okoboji Beach was platted on April 20, 1961 and includes over 90.4 acres with 489 lots. The East Okoboji Beach project includes a complete storm water discharge system, which includes low impact development and reconstruction of the roadways in East Okoboji Beach. The East Okoboji Beach Project is an enormous project that is the first Dickinson County project to retrofit LID practices, lake-friendly storm-water drainage systems and roadway reconstruction throughout an existing sub- division. This cooperative project between DNR, Dickinson County, and EOB landowners includes engineering retention ponds, rain gardens, bio-swales and other LID practices to reduce nutrient and sediment pollutants flowing directly into East Okoboji. The nature of the problem stems back to that original plat where small lots were platted and developed without planning for storm water discharge. There was no consideration of the effects of filling in and developing over the many wetland areas existing in EOB. The scope of the problem covers the entire 90.4 acres in East Okoboji Beach, the DNR owned land and the farmed land to the east. The nature of the problem stems from storm water runoff flowing throughout the watershed and into East Okoboji Beach where it flows down self-made paths and then into East Lake Okoboji. That storm water runoff dumps nutrient and sediment pollutions directly into East Lake Okoboji. The expected result of this project is a new roadway and drainage system constructed with engineering that is intended to protect East Lake Okoboji and the land and homes in East Okoboji Beach. The benefit will be the improvement in the waters and the reduction of the siltation in the East Lake Okoboji.

Iowa's Beach Monitoring Program, 2008

Summary of bacteria monitoring of Iowa's beaches.

Iowa's Beach Monitoring Program, 2009

Summary of bacteria monitoring of Iowa's beaches.

1214-008 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 Draft 2010 303(d) Impaired Waters List for algae, bacteria, and turbidity. Many restoration practices have been implemented to treat the algae and turbidity impairment, but few practices have been installed to treat bacteria. Reducing beach bacteria levels is a priority of the lake restoration partners. Federal, State, and local partners have invested more than $20 million in lake and watershed restoration efforts to improve water clarity and quality. These partners have a strong desire to ensure high bacteria levels at public swim beaches do not undermine the other water quality improvements. Recent bacteria source tracking completed by the State Hygienic Laboratory indicates that Canada Geese are a major contributor of bacteria loading to the Clear Lake swim beaches. Other potential sources include unpermitted septic systems in the watershed. The grant request proposes to reduce bacteria levels at Clear Lake's three public swim beaches by utilizing beach cleaner machines to remove goose waste, installing goose deterrents at the swim beaches, and continuing a septic system update grant program. These practices began to be implemented in 2011 and recent bacteria samples in 2012 are showing they can be effective if the effort is continued.