IOWANS ASKED TO ATTEND INFORMATIONAL MEETING REGARDING LOWER DES MOINES 
RIVER

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 or [log in to unmask] 
or Bill Graham at (515) 281-5917 or [log in to unmask]

DES MOINES - Iowans interested in learning about the water quality 
improvement plan scheduled to be completed for the lower Des Moines River 
can attend a meeting to be held in three locations the week of Sept. 15.

A segment of the Des Moines River, known as the lower Des Moines River, is 
on the state's impaired waters list because of excess E. coli bacteria in 
the water. This type of bacteria may indicate the presence of 
disease-causing human pathogens.

The lower Des Moines segment runs from downtown Des Moines where the Raccoon 
River enters to the uppermost part of Red Rock Reservoir.  This segment 
collects water from many important Iowa rivers and streams including Raccoon 
River, Saylorville Lake, Beaver Creek, Four Mile Creek, North River, Middle 
River and South River.

The study, or DNR water quality improvement plan, will look at the problems 
and potential solutions for the river. The document can be used as a guide 
to improve recreation, wildlife and fishing on the river for local resource 
agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents interested in making a 
difference.

"We would like to work with people interested in learning more about water 
quality and how they can affect positive change in their watershed," said 
Jeff Berckes with the DNR's Watershed Improvement program. "These meetings 
are the first chance for the public to express their ideas on what can be 
done to improve the lower Des Moines River."

The DNR will ask Iowans for public input at the following meetings:

Des Moines area: Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m., Meeting Room B, Urbandale Public 
Library, 3520 86th St., Urbandale.

Winterset: Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m., Community Center Room at the Farmers and 
Merchants State Bank, 101 West Jefferson St.

Indianola:  Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m., Carver Hall Room 215 at Simpson College, 
West Clinton Ave.

Staff from the DNR's Watershed Improvement Program will be on hand to answer 
questions.

Those not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at 
www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/tmdl/publicnotice.html Or, they can contact 
Jeff Berckes, water quality improvement program coordinator,  by emailing 
[log in to unmask], calling (515) 281-4791 or mailing him care of the 
DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319

After gathering Iowans' comments, the DNR will complete a draft plan.  When 
the document is completed, it will be presented to the public for comments 
and then submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval. 
Local groups interested in improving water quality in the lower Des Moines 
River can then use the plan to assist their improvement efforts.
 

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