Work on Wapsipinicon will reduce flooding, aid wildlife Orlan Love, Gazette correspondent Construction is expected to begin later this year on a project intended to reduce flood impacts and improve water quality in the Wapsipinicon River. “The main focus is flood control, which will help everybody downstream. But the projects also will improve water quality and [...]
Residents and landowners in the Upper Wapsi Watershed are invited to a series of Public Meeting Open Houses. Who might want to come? Anyone who is interested in... Keeping communities and landowners in the Upper Wapsi protected from flooding. Sustaining clean water. Learning about urban conservation practices that can beautify communities and help better manage stormwater [...]
Rain gardens utilize good soil and deep-rooted plants to infiltrate runoff from a smaller area, such as a roof, driveway, or a section of street or parking lot. Often rain gardens are beautifully landscaped with brightly colored flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Properly constructed rain gardens are in the natural path of runoff and [...]
A bioswale can be used in place of a traditional storm sewer. Planted with deep-rooted native grasses, flowers, and shrubs, bioswales beautify while helping water filter and infiltrate. Bioswales work best when they are placed in existing drainage areas. By design, bioswales infiltrate frequent smaller rain events and convey heavy rains in a non-erosive manner. They [...]
Areas of the Upper Wapsi Watershed experienced severe flash flooding in July, prompting a presidential disaster declaration. Check out the video, shared by Bremer County Emergency Management, of flooding in the community of Sumner.
Elaine Hughes prepares to draw samples from Buffalo Creek near Quasqueton. A couple of times a month, volunteers collect water samples from streams, creeks and the Wapsipinicon River. Samples are sent to Coe College, where they are tested for nitrates, phosphorous, chlorine, sulfate and total suspended solids. Monitoring is a critical component of improving [...]
The Plum Creek Bike & Nature Trail was under water on Easter Sunday. Heavy spring rains contributed to sodden fields, washed-out bridges and overflowing creeks in the Upper Wapsipinicon watershed over the weekend. Together the partners in the Upper Wapsi WMA are creating a plan to reduce the risk of flooding in the watershed.
Will be looking at ways to slow water flow By Jack Swanson, Managing Editor of the Oelwein Daily Register POSTVILLE – The Upper Wapsipinicon Watershed Management Authority recently kicked off a process to develop a 20-year plan for increasing resiliency to flooding along the Wapsipinicon River and its tributaries. The planning process, led by Northeast Iowa [...]