Bill Ehm, Administrator Environmental Services Division
Iowa’s Top Issue: Water Quality
Raccoon River Watershed 2.3 million acres Across 17 counties River is ~ 186 mi. long 73% of watershed is agricultural
What are the problems? Sediment and Nutrients Loss of habitat for fish and other aquatic species Downstream impacts on the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico
How do we determine what pollutants are in the river? Water Sampling and Monitoring
Where do pollutants come from? Two main categories of pollution sources – Point sources – Nonpoint sources Most of our current water quality problems come from nonpoint sources which are not regulated
“The Cuyahoga will live in infamy as the only river that was ever declared a fire hazard." Infamous Distinction… - Congressman Louis Stokes The Cuyahoga River – Ohio
Limited regulatory authority over non-point sources.
Mississippi River At Pikes Peak State Park Gulf Hypoxia – our actions affect more than Iowa Wisconsin Illinois
Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy North Fork Maquoketa River, NE Iowa Slow the water down Partnerships
Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy Slow the water down Partnerships
Strategies to improve water quality Nutrient Strategy Slow the water down Partnerships
Air Quality Stationary Air MonitorIllegal dumping and burning
Questions? Contact: