Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division
 
1.      Floodwaters affect beaches across state
2.      Livestock feedlots discharge following rains, floods
 
For Immediate Release                                                                
June 6, 2008
 
FLOODWATERS AFFECT BEACHES ACROSS STATE
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Eric O’Brien at (319) 560-6128 (cell) or [log in to unmask] 
 
DES MOINES — Following intense rains and flooding, the DNR is urging Iowans to use caution when choosing to swim at public beaches in coming days.
 
“High water levels are always a risk for swimmers, and floodwaters can carry dangerous debris and wash in bacteria from the surrounding area,” said Eric O’Brien, who leads the DNR’s beach monitoring efforts. “We encourage Iowans to avoid beaches in flooded areas or in areas that have received a large amount of rain recently. Once we have a few dry, sunny days and floodwaters subside, we expect beach areas to rebound quickly.”
 
Current beach monitoring results are available by clicking on “beach monitoring” on the DNR’s Web site at www.iowadnr.gov. The DNR monitors bacteria levels at each of its state park beaches two or more times per week, as well as a number of county and city parks that volunteer to be a part of the program by sampling once per week.
 
“There are still many beaches at city, county and state parks where people can enjoy swimming this weekend,” O’Brien said. “But we want people to be safe and check before they go to make informed decisions.” 
 
In the last nine years of the beach monitoring program, Iowa beaches have been safe for swimming more than 90 percent of the time. Last summer’s results showed the lowest bacteria levels in the history of the program.
 
“We’re now conducting more frequent testing at all beaches for exactly these types of scenarios,” O’Brien said. “Since we monitor more often, we can inform the public as soon as conditions improve rather than waiting a week for the news.”
 
Floodwaters have closed three state parks entirely, and portions of others. Park closings are listed at www.iowadnr.gov/parks/.
 
The DNR recommends that people swimming in natural bodies of water always:
·        Avoid any flooded areas or areas with high water levels, including beaches
·        Avoid ingesting the water while swimming
·        Shower after swimming in a natural body of water and wash their hands before eating
 
# # #
 
LIVESTOCK FEEDLOTS DISCHARGE FOLLOWING RAINS, FLOODS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Ken Hessenius at (712) 262-4177 (office) or (712) 260-0926 (cell) or [log in to unmask] 
 
DES MOINES — Recent floodwaters and heavy rains have led to manure discharges at a number of livestock feedlots in the state.
 
Corey Feedlot in Calhoun County, Dekker Feedlot in Sioux County, Jansma Feedlot in Lyon County, Phelps Feedlot in Montgomery County, Gregory Feedlot in Fremont County and JDH Feedlot in Cass County have all reported authorized discharges to the DNR.
 
All six lots have National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which allow them to discharge in certain situations. That includes a 25-year rain event, which ranges from 4.8 inches of rain in 24 hours in northwest Iowa to 5.8 inches of rain in 24 hours in southern Iowa. 
 
Some feedlots discharged to protect the structural integrity of their manure storage facilities, while other facilities were overflowing due to excess storm waters. Not all of the discharges reached a water of the state. Other feedlots may be discharging but have not reported discharges to the DNR.
 
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