EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023
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WATERSHED<br />
A ‘watershed’ moment<br />
Two small creeks in Eastern Iowa taken off impaired list thanks<br />
to private/public partnerships between landowners and government<br />
BY SARA MILLHOUSE<br />
EASTERN IOWA FARMER<br />
It takes a lot to clean up a stream.<br />
And the success of two watershed<br />
projects in Eastern Iowa shows what<br />
it really takes to improve conservation<br />
practices and water quality:<br />
a quick turnaround, a personal touch, a<br />
stewardship ethic and a lot of money.<br />
The Tete des Morts Creek and Farmers<br />
Creek watershed projects were two intensive,<br />
local and highly effective programs<br />
that focused resources on a single, small<br />
watershed in order to see measurable<br />
improvements in water quality.<br />
These two, small Jackson County<br />
creeks are some of the best examples of<br />
success for the watershed model of conservation<br />
funding.<br />
Tete des Morts Creek<br />
In March, the U.S. Environmental<br />
Protection Agency recognized the Tete des<br />
Morts Creek project for its success in cutting<br />
sediment by more than half, following<br />
intensive efforts from 2008 through 2017.<br />
Landowners are continuing and expanding<br />
conservation measures today.<br />
For those unfamiliar with Tete des<br />
Morts (that’s “tay-duh-more”) Creek,<br />
it runs through southern Dubuque and<br />
northern Jackson counties, draining about<br />
30,000 acres and running through St. Donatus<br />
on its way to the Mississippi.<br />
Landowner John Arenz has known this<br />
country for more than 60 years.<br />
“The land we live on is very hilly,” he<br />
said. “The farmers around here can farm<br />
the cleared ground on the tops of the hills<br />
and the bottoms of the hills, but basically,<br />
we live in hill country.”<br />
The hillsides are covered with hardwood<br />
A loving tribute to your loved ones<br />
Using our custom software, we can<br />
help you design a cherished memorial<br />
set in stone — in one visit.<br />
Stop by to see our indoor show room.<br />
If you can’t make it,<br />
we’ll come to you!<br />
We offer in-home deSign by appointment<br />
We offer a computer generated drawing with every<br />
order and we can do this while you wait!<br />
and monumentS<br />
17672 IA-64, Maquoketa, IA 563-652-2557<br />
eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 87
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