News Flash

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO AN OPEN HOUSE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WATER QUALITY PROTECTION IN THE SOUTH SKUNK RIVER WATERSHED 

Story City, Iowa (October 17, 2022) – Landowners, farmers, and all residents within Story and Hamilton County can learn more about the recently drafted Watershed Management Plan for the Headwaters of the South Skunk River Watershed through two upcoming open house meetings on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022: 

• A lunch open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Story City Community Center, 503 Elm Avenue, Story City, IA 50248
• An evening open house will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Jewell Golf Course, 1225 Main Street, Jewell, IA 50130 

The public is invited to attend either open house; no formal presentation will be made, and attendees may drop in anytime. Light refreshments will be available at each event. Members of the planning team will be available to answer questions, and each open house will feature informational displays and handouts detailing the community-guided watershed plan. The plan’s primary goals address efforts to improve water quality, flood mitigation, nutrient and sediment loss reduction, and restoration and protection of natural resources and habitat. Resources and information will also be available at the meeting for those wishing to participate in conservation practices.

Planning efforts were conducted in collaboration with the Headwaters of the South Skunk Watershed Management Authority (WMA) members, Iowa State (ISU) Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as well as other local officials and agency leaders. WMA board members, the consultant team, and other partners will be available for discussion and questions during the open house. The plan relies on voluntary efforts from farmers, landowners, cities, counties, and other stakeholders and will help to bring in additional grant funds to pay for the efforts.

The Headwaters of the South Skunk River starts near Williams and Blairsburg and flows south, meeting up with the Ioway Creek in Ames. The watershed includes all areas that drain to the river and covers portions of Hamilton and Story Counties. The WMA is a voluntary coalition of representatives from local soil and water conservation districts (SWCD), cities, and counties, as well as other state and nonprofit agencies with similar missions.  Funding for the planning process was provided through the Iowa DNR’s Watershed Improvement Grant. JEO Consulting Group has been retained to develop the watershed management plan. 

For more information, please visit www.jeo.com/headwaters-south-skunk-wma.