Iowa Waterways.

In the same book I referenced in the last post called Iowa Waterways, it gives a brief overview of the programs that are in place to help protect this precious resource. The 1985 federal Farm Bill was passed to help deal with agricultural activities that affect clean water. Iowa is the number one user of these bills.

The first part was the Swampbuster Provision. It protects waterways by saving wetlands that filter soil and chemical runoff. It makes it difficult for farmers to drain wetlands. The second part is called the Conservation Reserve Program. It pays farmers not to plant erodible areas to row crops, and instead maintain a cover that reduces bare and exposed soil to wind and water erosion. These also help provide a natural filter for field fertilizers to keep from running directly into waterways. In 1984, the Protected Water Areas program was enacted by the Iowa legislature. It helps protect more scenic waterways in Iowa.

This is a brief overview of the programs in place to help keep our water clean of agricultural runoff. Although it is a beginning, there still is a long way to go.

Iowa Waterways

While I was in Iowa last week, we were in my uncle's living room watching deer one evening who were in the waterway. I had seen these grass strips between the fields of corn and beans before but had never given them a second thought. This time I asked what they were. Apparently, Iowa pays farmers to keep a natural grassy area between fields to help keep down soil erosion and fertilizer run-off. They are highly regulated areas. They intrigued me though so I decided to do some research into them. I am going to spend the next couple of posts sharing what I have found out.

In this post, I would like to share some statistics with you. First, I would like to preface them by saying that I am sure you can quote similar statistics for most other states. The impressive thing is Iowa is realizing what a valuable resource their water system is and doing some things to protect them. These statistics come from a booklet I found on the internet. It is from the Iowa Association of Naturalists and is called Iowa Waterways.

1) By 1870, more than 1000 dams impeded the seasonal migration of fish in Iowa waterways. .
2) Iowa has lost more than 95%  of its original wetland habitats.
3) All of Iowa's larger rivers and streams have undergone some channelization or impoundment.
4) By 1930, more than 1000 miles of Iowa streams had been erased through channelization.
5) Siltation has had a major impact on an estimated 92% of Iowa's waterways.
6) Nutrient (fertilizers) pollution has had an impact on almost all of Iowa's waterways.

I will share some of the clean water programs they have in place to change these statistics for the better in next couple of posts.