(Des Moines)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has submitted a list of 188 impaired lakes, streams and rivers to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The list is the first to be developed under a state law passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2000. The law requires scientifically valid tests and data be used to determine if a body of water will go on the list.
Dickinson county waterways on the list are Little Spirit, Lower Gar and Silver Lakes, and portions of Milford Creek.
Other waterways and lakes in the area on the list are Ingham in Emmet county; Lost Island in Palo Alto county; Silver Lake in Palo Alto county; Storm Lake in Buena Vista county; Trumbull in Clay county; the Des Moines River from Buffalo Creek to Soldier Creek in Emmet county; portions of the Floyd River in Sioux county; a portion of Prairie Creek in Palo Alto county; and a portion of Six Mile Creek in Sioux county. Portions of the Big Sioux River are also on the list.
Impairments to the various bodies of water include nitrates, bacteria, algae, low oxygen levels and sediment.
The D-N-R submitted the list to the E-P-A for review on December 18th. The E-P-A has 30 days to approve it.
