Progress is being made in the Upper Iowa River Watershed

Reducing flooding and improving water quality in the Upper Iowa River Watershed was the focus of an open house Monday night at the Decorah City Council Chamber.

Northeast Iowa RC&D Watershed outreach coordinator Megan Buckingham says, "The Upper Iowa River Watershed is already a model for what landowners and public and private partners can do when they work together to prioritize conservation."  She points to the work done to improve water quality in the 152 miles of cold water trout streams in the watershed.

But Buckingham also says, "the flooding last year was a forceful reminder that there's quite a bit more we can be doing."  That would take the form of projects that would hold rainwater and slow down the rate of rain runoff in the watershed.

Members of the public got a chance Monday night to hear about the plans involving the watershed--but also a chance to offer their own opinions and suggestions.

For more information visit www.upperiowariver.org or contact Megan Buckingham at Northeast Iowa RC&D at megan@northeastiowarcd.org or 563-864-7112.