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| Wolf Creek
Until
recently, only Iowa waterways categorized as rivers were identified with green
roadside signs, which are installed and maintained by the Iowa Department of
Transportation. However, rivers are fed by streams and creeks, and that water may
end up in lakes which provide drinking water.
In the
fall of 2014, a pilot signage program was initiated through a partnership
between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa DOT to begin identifying
a select group of streams located along DOT-controlled highways. The project
was paid for using Iowa Section 319 funds.
Steve
Hopkins, IDNR Nonpoint Source Coordinator, says Rathbun Lake was selected for the sign project as it is
one of nine watersheds that has creeks that flow under a state or federal
bridge. Rathbun Lake Watershed covers 354,000 acres in six southern Iowa
counties and drains into Rathbun Lake, the drinking water source for 80,000
people in 51 communities.
“This
state wide public information and education program was developed by the IDNR
to create and enhance awareness of where streams are located within a watershed
that provides drinking water,” says Hopkins. The creeks identified with new signage will
only be those that flow under the bridge of a state and federal highway, not
county road bridges.
“We
believe awareness of streams and the names of specific streams is an important
factor in watershed residents’ understanding of how watersheds affect stream
water quality, and of how behaviors by residents within a watershed affect the
water quality of the stream within the watershed,” explains Hopkins.
The creeks identified in the Rathbun Lake
Watershed are Chariton Creek, Hamilton Creek, Dick Creek, South Chariton River,
Wolf Creek, Wildcat Creek, and Jackson Creek.
Other
watersheds in the signage project include Badger Creek in Madison County, Big
Creek Lake in Boone and Polk Counties, Dry Run Creek in Black Hawk County, Duck
Creek in Scott County, Easter Lake in Polk County, Lake Geode in Henry and Des
Moines Counties, Silver Creek in Howard and Winneshiek Counties, and Tete Des
Morts Creek in Jackson County.
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Signs encourage travelers to Protect Rathbun Lake
Travelers are directed to the project website to learn what they can do to help protect Rathbun Lake.
Special Landowner Signage
Signs have been installed on the farms of landowners who who have been selected as Rathbun Lake Protectors to recognize their stewardship actions to protect Rathbun Lake.
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| At right, 2013 Clarke County Rathbun Lake Protector, Jason Boyer, watches as a sign is installed on his farm identifying him as a Rathbun Lake Protector. |
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Randy and Sandy Swartz and Travis and Anne Swartz with son Wyatt, all of Russell, Iowa, stand next to the sign identifying them as Lucas County Rathbun Lake Protectors.
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