Indian Creek Watershed Plan Update

The Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority (WMA) is updating its 2015 Watershed Management Plan with grant support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Since 2015, a significant amount of data and new tools have become available to make the plan more reflective of current watershed conditions and WMA priorities.

Over the next two years, the WMA will offer public outreach opportunities to gather community input and help shape the goals and priorities of the updated plan. Community members can get involved now by completing the Indian Creek Watershed Management Plan survey.

The plan update will also include:

• Ten years of water quality data measuring dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, conductivity, pH, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, dissolved reactive phosphorus, total suspended solids, and E. coli.

• Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) analysis to identify where conservation practices can provide the greatest benefit.

• Oxbow restoration planning to support flood storage capacity, reduce nutrient loads, and provide wildlife habitat.

• Bacteria source testing at ten Indian Creek sites to identify the sources and types of bacteria in recreational hotspots.

Your input matters! Help the board shape the future of Indian Creek by taking the survey and watching for additional opportunities to share your ideas as the planning process continues.