River Restoration Resources
- Iowa Stream Restoration Leadership Toolkit - This toolkit provides a summary for elected officials and city staff on how streams become degraded in populated areas and natural design methods used in Iowa for streambank stabilization and stream restoration. It can also be used by local leaders to educate residents. In addition, it includes questions that local leaders can ask design professionals if they are presented with project proposals that include streambank stabilization and restoration. Examples of commonly used practices for stabilization and restoration are included and case studies of stream projects in Iowa communities. This resource was developed by Iowa Rivers Revival, ICON Water Trails, Great Outdoors Foundation, and Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership.
- Farmer Understanding of Natural River Restoration in Des Moines and Nishnabotna River Watersheds -Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR) teamed with the Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) to better understand farmers’ relationship to rivers and river restoration. Iowa Rivers Revival has a goal of improving their outreach to farmers and increasing natural river restoration in the state. In order to accomplish this, Iowa Rivers Revival contracted with Iowa Learning Farms to conduct two listening sessions with farmers/landowners to assess their knowledge and opinions about natural river restoration benefits and practices. This report describes the results of these listening sessions. The purpose is to let their voices be heard and explore how these voices can help IRR better serve their mission and increase natural river restoration in Iowa.
- Stream Restoration in Iowa - Presentation by John Thomas, Hungry Canyons Alliance.
- River Basics & River Restoration - Summary of what rivers are, how they work and basic information about stream restoration.
- Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes Design Manual & Pocket Guide - The purpose of this design manual is to provide restoration practitioners with guidelines for implementing a subset of low-tech tools—namely beaver dam analogues (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALS)—for initiating process-based restoration in structurally-starved riverscapes. While the concept of process-based restoration in riverscapes has been advocated for at least two decades, details and specific examples on how to implement it remain sparse.
2015 River Restoration Trainings
In 2015, Golden Hills worked with Iowa Rivers Revival to host workshops and educational meetings about river restoration. For more information about river restoration, visit IRR's website.
November 13 Workshop Presentations
River Restoration Policy and Outreach - Roz Lehman, Executive Director of Iowa Rivers Revival
River Basics
River Restoration Assessment and Design – Nate Hoogeveen, Rivers Program Coordinator, Iowa DNR
River Restoration in Other States – Marty Melchior, Regional Director, Interfluve
Successful Permits for River Restoration projects – Al Frohlich, Army Corps of Engineers
Geomorphic History of Western Iowa’s Rivers – John Thomas, Project Director, Hungry Canyons Alliance
November 13 Workshop
Click here for the event flier and full agenda (pdf).
River Restoration Workshop
Friday, November 13, 2015
930am-330pm
Oakland Community Building
614 Van Zee Road Oakland, IA 51560
Regional and state experts will present compelling, science-based information about natural river restoration practices for professionals assisting landowners and/or designing bank stabilization projects, such as IDALS, NRCS, and SWCD field and engineering staff, county conservation board staff, county engineers, and consultants. However, the workshop is open to anyone interested in participating.
Natural river restoration practices can be an affordable and practical solution for addressing streambank erosion issues across Iowa. Eroding streambanks can mean the loss of crop buffer areas, productive farmland, and local infrastructure, as well as a major contributor of sediment and nutrients to our water.
Standard engineering practices for keeping streambanks in place often call for extensive armoring using riprap revetments or other expensive materials. However, understanding river dynamics can lead to much more cost-effective, fish and wildlife friendly redirective techniques, which will also look more natural.
Registration: Cost is $25 to participate (lunch is included and provided by the Iowa Corn Growers Association). Please RSVP to Jenn Dreier, [email protected]. There is limited space for this workshop, so advanced registration is recommended.
Free River Restoration Webinar
Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa Rivers Revival, Iowa DNR Rivers Program staff hosted a webinar on October 21. You can watch the archived version for free here.
August Meetings
Official press release
Please join us on Thursday, August 6th for one of two river restoration meetings. These meetings will be a follow-up to the June meetings (listed below) and include more in-depth information about river restoration.
-The afternoon meeting will be from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Emerson Community Building, 711 Morton Avenue, Emerson, Iowa 51533
-The evening meeting will be from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Walnut Welcome Center, 607 Highland Street Walnut, Iowa 51577
These meetings will build on the river restoration meetings held throughout Southwest Iowa in June, but will also include technical experts who can answer questions about implementing river restoration practices. Speakers will include:
• John Thomas, Project Director with the Hungry Canyons Alliance, will discuss the history of Western Iowa stream stability and local river restoration projects;
• Roz Lehman, Executive Director of Iowa Rivers Revival, will discuss Iowa Rivers Revival’s programs and policy efforts;
• Claire Rhuby with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss river restoration projects in Iowa;
• Karen Smith with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss the permitting process for streambank stabilization and river restoration projects.
Local county chapters of the Iowa Corngrowers Association are co-sponsoring the meetings. A light meal will be provided, so RSVP’s are requested by Friday, July 31. To RSVP, contact Lance Brisbois at 712-482-3029 or [email protected].
June Meetings
Official Press Release
The public is invited to a free, informational presentation about natural river restoration and streambank stabilization hosted by Iowa Rivers Revival and Golden Hills RC&D. John Thomas, Project Director of the Hungry Canyons Alliance, will lead the presentations. The meetings and Q&A will last approximately one hour. Meeting dates are listed below.
Natural river restoration provides multiple benefits to the landowner and surrounding community, it:
- Offers affordable and sustainable options to reduce streambank erosion.
- Improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient loading into the stream.
- Reduces flooding and flood effects.
- Protects local infrastructure such as bridges and roads from erosion and flooding, reducing taxpayer expense to repair, replace, and maintain
- Enhances aquatic and riparian wildlife habitat and ecosystem.
- Improves river recreation, fishing, and hunting – boosting local economies and providing public health and quality of life.
Iowa lacks the resources and expertise to offer natural river restoration opportunities to landowners and communities across Iowa. An Iowa River Restoration Program (similar to the Iowa Lakes Restoration Program) would provide guidelines, criteria, funding, training, and the expertise necessary to offer cost-share opportunities for protecting Iowa’s landscape, streambanks and riverways. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn and discuss how natural river restoration approaches can be helpful to you. More information about the meetings can be found at westnishwatertrail.weebly.com/river-restoration.
Iowa Rivers Revival is a non-profit organization dedicated to river education and advocacy. They are committed to protecting some of our most precious natural resources – our rivers and streams. IRR is working to engage Iowans in river awareness, responsibility, and enjoyment in an effort to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa waterways.
Golden Hills RC&D is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainable use and protection of natural resources for the economic and social betterment of the people of western Iowa. By collaborating for these presentations, IRR and Golden Hills hope to build awareness and support for natural river restoration activities in Southwest Iowa by protecting our valuable Loess soils and river resources.
The times and locations of the meetings are:
- Monday, June 8th, 10:30am – Exira Public Library - 114 W Washington St., Exira
- Wednesday, June 10th, 1pm – Hamburg City Hall – 1005 Bluff St., Hamburg
- Thursday, June 11th, 10:30am – Shenandoah Public Library - 201 S Elm St., Shenandoah
- Monday, June 15th, 2pm – IWCC Cass County Campus - 705 Walnut St, Atlantic
- Tuesday, June 16th, 10:30am –ISU Extension Office – 400 Bridge St., Red Oak
- Wednesday, June 17th, 2pm – Harlan Public Library - 718 Court St. Harlan
- Thursday, June 18th, 3pm – Council Bluffs Public Library (Meeting Room A) - 400 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs
- Wednesday, June 24th, 2pm – Malvern Public Library - 502 Main St., Malvern
- Thursday, June 25th, 5pm– Oakland Community Center - 614 Dr. Van Zee Rd., Oakland
For questions, please contact Lance Brisbois at Golden Hills RC&D, 712-482-3029 or [email protected]
November 13 Workshop Presentations
River Restoration Policy and Outreach - Roz Lehman, Executive Director of Iowa Rivers Revival
River Basics
River Restoration Assessment and Design – Nate Hoogeveen, Rivers Program Coordinator, Iowa DNR
River Restoration in Other States – Marty Melchior, Regional Director, Interfluve
Successful Permits for River Restoration projects – Al Frohlich, Army Corps of Engineers
Geomorphic History of Western Iowa’s Rivers – John Thomas, Project Director, Hungry Canyons Alliance
November 13 Workshop
Click here for the event flier and full agenda (pdf).
River Restoration Workshop
Friday, November 13, 2015
930am-330pm
Oakland Community Building
614 Van Zee Road Oakland, IA 51560
Regional and state experts will present compelling, science-based information about natural river restoration practices for professionals assisting landowners and/or designing bank stabilization projects, such as IDALS, NRCS, and SWCD field and engineering staff, county conservation board staff, county engineers, and consultants. However, the workshop is open to anyone interested in participating.
Natural river restoration practices can be an affordable and practical solution for addressing streambank erosion issues across Iowa. Eroding streambanks can mean the loss of crop buffer areas, productive farmland, and local infrastructure, as well as a major contributor of sediment and nutrients to our water.
Standard engineering practices for keeping streambanks in place often call for extensive armoring using riprap revetments or other expensive materials. However, understanding river dynamics can lead to much more cost-effective, fish and wildlife friendly redirective techniques, which will also look more natural.
Registration: Cost is $25 to participate (lunch is included and provided by the Iowa Corn Growers Association). Please RSVP to Jenn Dreier, [email protected]. There is limited space for this workshop, so advanced registration is recommended.
Free River Restoration Webinar
Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa Rivers Revival, Iowa DNR Rivers Program staff hosted a webinar on October 21. You can watch the archived version for free here.
August Meetings
Official press release
Please join us on Thursday, August 6th for one of two river restoration meetings. These meetings will be a follow-up to the June meetings (listed below) and include more in-depth information about river restoration.
-The afternoon meeting will be from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Emerson Community Building, 711 Morton Avenue, Emerson, Iowa 51533
-The evening meeting will be from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Walnut Welcome Center, 607 Highland Street Walnut, Iowa 51577
These meetings will build on the river restoration meetings held throughout Southwest Iowa in June, but will also include technical experts who can answer questions about implementing river restoration practices. Speakers will include:
• John Thomas, Project Director with the Hungry Canyons Alliance, will discuss the history of Western Iowa stream stability and local river restoration projects;
• Roz Lehman, Executive Director of Iowa Rivers Revival, will discuss Iowa Rivers Revival’s programs and policy efforts;
• Claire Rhuby with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss river restoration projects in Iowa;
• Karen Smith with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss the permitting process for streambank stabilization and river restoration projects.
Local county chapters of the Iowa Corngrowers Association are co-sponsoring the meetings. A light meal will be provided, so RSVP’s are requested by Friday, July 31. To RSVP, contact Lance Brisbois at 712-482-3029 or [email protected].
June Meetings
Official Press Release
The public is invited to a free, informational presentation about natural river restoration and streambank stabilization hosted by Iowa Rivers Revival and Golden Hills RC&D. John Thomas, Project Director of the Hungry Canyons Alliance, will lead the presentations. The meetings and Q&A will last approximately one hour. Meeting dates are listed below.
Natural river restoration provides multiple benefits to the landowner and surrounding community, it:
- Offers affordable and sustainable options to reduce streambank erosion.
- Improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient loading into the stream.
- Reduces flooding and flood effects.
- Protects local infrastructure such as bridges and roads from erosion and flooding, reducing taxpayer expense to repair, replace, and maintain
- Enhances aquatic and riparian wildlife habitat and ecosystem.
- Improves river recreation, fishing, and hunting – boosting local economies and providing public health and quality of life.
Iowa lacks the resources and expertise to offer natural river restoration opportunities to landowners and communities across Iowa. An Iowa River Restoration Program (similar to the Iowa Lakes Restoration Program) would provide guidelines, criteria, funding, training, and the expertise necessary to offer cost-share opportunities for protecting Iowa’s landscape, streambanks and riverways. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn and discuss how natural river restoration approaches can be helpful to you. More information about the meetings can be found at westnishwatertrail.weebly.com/river-restoration.
Iowa Rivers Revival is a non-profit organization dedicated to river education and advocacy. They are committed to protecting some of our most precious natural resources – our rivers and streams. IRR is working to engage Iowans in river awareness, responsibility, and enjoyment in an effort to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa waterways.
Golden Hills RC&D is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainable use and protection of natural resources for the economic and social betterment of the people of western Iowa. By collaborating for these presentations, IRR and Golden Hills hope to build awareness and support for natural river restoration activities in Southwest Iowa by protecting our valuable Loess soils and river resources.
The times and locations of the meetings are:
- Monday, June 8th, 10:30am – Exira Public Library - 114 W Washington St., Exira
- Wednesday, June 10th, 1pm – Hamburg City Hall – 1005 Bluff St., Hamburg
- Thursday, June 11th, 10:30am – Shenandoah Public Library - 201 S Elm St., Shenandoah
- Monday, June 15th, 2pm – IWCC Cass County Campus - 705 Walnut St, Atlantic
- Tuesday, June 16th, 10:30am –ISU Extension Office – 400 Bridge St., Red Oak
- Wednesday, June 17th, 2pm – Harlan Public Library - 718 Court St. Harlan
- Thursday, June 18th, 3pm – Council Bluffs Public Library (Meeting Room A) - 400 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs
- Wednesday, June 24th, 2pm – Malvern Public Library - 502 Main St., Malvern
- Thursday, June 25th, 5pm– Oakland Community Center - 614 Dr. Van Zee Rd., Oakland
For questions, please contact Lance Brisbois at Golden Hills RC&D, 712-482-3029 or [email protected]