Black Hawk Lake restoration efforts receive national recognition

DES MOINES – Project partners behind a major restoration effort to improve water quality in Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, received national recognition for their achievements.

The Black Hawk Lake Watershed Project, The City of Lake View, and the Black Hawk Lake Protective Association (BHLPA) received the 2022 North American Lake Management Society’s Appreciation Award for a Lake Management Success Story. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sac County Soil and Water Conservation District, and other agencies partnered with the award recipients on the project.

“Black Hawk Lake has a long history of water quality challenges,” said Michelle Balmer, with the DNR’s Lake Restoration Program. “But the collective efforts of the watershed project, the City of Lake View, and the LPA have helped to improve water quality in the lake and promote awareness throughout the watershed of what can be achieved when everyone works together.”

Partners began working together in 2008 to develop a long-term restoration plan for Black Hawk Lake, starting with a Diagnostic and Feasibility Study and culminating with a watershed and restoration action plan. The Black Hawk Lake Watershed Project, funded by a US EPA Section 319 grant administered by the DNR, began in 2012. Since the project’s inception, over 211 practices have been installed in the watershed, resulting in a 4,369 ton reduction in the annual amount of sediment and a 9,390 pound reduction in the amount of phosphorus that entered the lake. Additionally, the City of Lake View has worked to reduce stormwater runoff to the lake by investing in numerous urban practices including bioswales, a wet detention pond, and rain gardens.

This reduction in nutrients represents over 56 percent of the phosphorus reduction goals outlined in the watershed plan. Phosphorus is the key nutrient fueling algae blooms in lakes.

Ethan Thies, Project Coordinator for the Black Hawk Lake Watershed Project said, “The success of the Black Hawk Lake Watershed Project has been through building long term partnerships. Project support has come from federal, state, and local agencies, however, none of this would be possible without the participation of the LPA, the City of Lake View, and of course watershed residents. This watershed project is a fantastic example of groups coming together to improve a public resource.”

The City of Lake View and the Black Hawk Lake Protective Association also invested in an ADA fishing pier and fish cleaning station to improve recreational opportunities at the lake in 2012. Since the project began, vegetation has returned to the lake, water clarity has improved, and fewer algae blooms have been observed. The sport fishery has also improved, with large communities of walleye, panfish, and muskellunge available for anglers. The lake is also drawing an average of 20,000 more visitors annually today than in 2014 (CARD study for 2014 and 2019), which bolsters the local economy.

As the lake has changed from a turbid water system dominated by cyanobacteria to one with an abundance of vegetation, the City and the BHLPA have been amazing partners to address excessive vegetation within the lake. The City operates and maintains a vegetation harvester as needed, and the BHLPA works with the local fisheries biologist to develop and fund a vegetation management plan for the lake that works for both recreational boaters and provides habitat for aquatic life. Together, these two partners have invested over $50k in vegetation management efforts at Black Hawk Lake.

On Dec 8th, the City and the BHLPA continue to work with the DNR to implement additional restoration practices in the lake. Dredging in the main body of the lake, which began in the summer of 2022, will remove 750,000 CY of sediment, reducing internal loading significantly.  The BHLPA raised significant funds to assist with dredging efforts and has led the way to support long term vegetation management at the lake.  “It is great to be recognized,” said City of Lake View Mayor John Westergaard, “but the recognition really goes to the great partners and all who support Black Hawk Lake.” He went on to say, “When we met for the first time thirteen years ago, the DNR said that successful projects are locally driven, and our community really took that to heart. The Black Hawk Lake Project is now held as an example of how strong public support can make a large project happen.”

The North American Lake Management Society, whose mission is to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs, presents the Lake Management Success Story Appreciation Award annually to a project or group nominated by its membership.

EPC to consider review Beverage Container rule, contract with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

DES MOINES — The Environmental Protection Commission will review an adopted rule amending Iowa Code related to Beverage Container Deposits, a contract with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship regarding the Easter Lake Watershed Project and determine whether to approve the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans Third Quarter Updates at its Dec. 13 meeting.

The meeting starts at 10 a.m. in DNR’s second floor north conference room, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines. The public can also attend via video conference or by phone. To join by video, connect with https://meet.google.com/rzo-uidn-tvg. To join by phone, call 631-618-4607, and enter the PIN code of 484 733 354 followed by the pound (#) sign. The meeting is open to the public. Written comments may be submitted up to one day before the meeting to Alicia Plathe at [email protected] or to Alicia Plathe at DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319. 

Commissioners will be asked to approve a rule amending 567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 107 related to Beverage Container Deposits. Proposed amendments clarify existing rules and include allowing for mobile redemption technologies, a longer time period to pay the refund value to customers and increasing the handling fees paid by distributors to redemption centers from one cent to three cents.

In addition, commissioners will determine whether to approve the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans Third Quarter Update. Federal regulations require that the State prepare a plan identifying the intended uses of funds and how those uses support the fund’s goal. 

Commissioners will be asked to approve one contract:

• Contract with IDALS to fund and support the Easter Lake Watershed Project, which is one of the largest active restoration projects in the state.

Find the complete agenda and more information under the Environmental Protection Commission section of the DNR’s website.

Commissioners include: Harold Hommes, chair, Windsor Heights; Stephanie Dykshorn, vice chair, Ireton;  Amy Echard, secretary, Farmersburg; Brad Bleam, Rockwell City; Rebecca Dostal, Traer; Patricia Foley, Huxley; Lisa Gochenour, Logan; Ralph Lents, Menlo; and Mark Stutsman, Hills. Kayla Lyon is the DNR director. 

Any person participating in the public meeting who has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or [email protected], and advise of specific needs.

Water Summary Update: Normal November rainfall, drought conditions remain

DES MOINES — The month of November ended with much of northwestern Iowa receiving below normal precipitation and southeastern Iowa observing above average totals. Statewide precipitation was just under two inches, which is slightly above normal for the month. Some improvement in drought conditions occurred in November, but significant drought remains in the state, especially in northwest Iowa. Streamflow, soil moisture, and shallow groundwater conditions are showing some improvement, but more rainfall is needed.

“Although November rainfall was near normal, we did not receive enough rain to make a significant improvement to drought conditions in Iowa,” said Tim Hall, Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ coordinator of hydrology resources. “The winter months are typically the driest months of the year, so it will be harder to see widespread improvement in drought conditions until spring.  Rainfall and snow over the next few weeks will certainly help,  especially in northwest Iowa, where moisture is most needed.”

For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.

Air Quality permits under review

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements. We encourage public comments on draft permits, providing help on how to make effective comments. Submit written comments to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. DNR considers public comments before finalizing the permits.

Title V Operating Permits

Title V Operating permits are reviewed and re-issued every five years. Facilities with a Title V permit have the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants compared to other facilities. The five-year reviews are a federal requirement and ensure adequate monitoring is included in the permit. The DNR plans to issue Title V Operating Permits for the following facilities.  Find permit details at www.iowadnr.gov/titlev-draft.

Cerro Gordo County
Golden Grain Energy, LLC, 1822 43^rd St. SW, Mason City.
The application was submitted to operate their existing fuel grade ethanol production facility. The public comment period ends January 7. 

DNR enforcement actions

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions. 

Consent Orders

A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.

Mitchell County
Arlen Near
Comply with all open burning regulations and pay a $5,000 administrative penalty.

Tama County
Jeff Hoeg
Comply with all solid waste disposal regulations; remove and properly dispose of all burned material at the Tama County Landfill and provide receipts of disposal; and pay a $1,300 administrative penalty.