Completed Projects

Like much of Iowa, conversion of land from prairie to agricultural use over the past 200 years has caused major stream degradation—negatively impacting water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and putting infrastructure at risk.  In recent years, this urban portion of Bear Creek experienced flooding, elevated agricultural nutrients, increased erosion and sediment, declining ecological habitat with multiplying invasive species, and reduced recreational use. By removing rip rap, introducing and reintroducing vegetation, cross vanes, benches, j-hooks, oxbows, rock riffles, and cut-off sills, and lowering the downstream culvert, the team at Impact7G and Origin Design were able to improve water quality in this portion of Bear Creek and restore the creek to a more natural, dynamic stable state through natural channel design. 

These practices aided in stabilizing streambanks, aerating the water, effectively moving sediment, reducing water temperature, and removing pollutants. Streambank stabilization helps protect City utilities and infrastructure, as well as prevents adjacent property owners from losing land due to channel migration. This area now serves as a natural space functioning as a stream and wetland complex, offering a way for residents to interact with and enjoy nature. New stone crossings and a nearby trail system allow for different types of recreational use and access to the stream while maintaining a healthy natural state for the stream and surrounding ecosystem, further connecting the community back to the streams and natural habitats.

  Project Timeline

• Stream Assessment & Project Design: 2018 - 2019
• Construction: 2020
• Planting: 2020 - 2021
• Monitoring: 2021 - current

Location

• Segment of Bear Creek located adjacent to Westside Park in the western portion of Dyersville, IA

Assessment Metrics

• 1,600 of the total 2,500 Linear Feet (LF) of Bear creek were restored to improve water quality
• Ongoing (2x/year during each growing season) assessment (structures, plantings, invasive species, erosion control) and maintenance of the project area

Funding Partners

• State Revolving Fund
• CleanWater Iowa
• Urban Conservation Program 

Unprecedented flooding of the North Fork of the Maquoketa River in 1999, 2010, and 2018 has called attention to the need for improvements to stormwater infrastructure in Dyersville. This stormwater wetland is one of many natural solutions he City has implemented to reduce flash flooding while also improving water quality of local water resources. The Field of Dreams stormwater wetland is strategically located next to a bend in the North Fork of the Maquoketa River in order to obtain maximum flood reduction and water quality benefits to the larger watershed.

A vital component of constructing this wetland was an intensive investigation of the underlying soils to determine how quickly water could infiltrate into the ground. Pairing studies of the site’s soil attributes and sources of stormwater (hydrology) allows for this wetland to be a source of stormwater storage and treatment during rain events. This manmade feature was created in order to provide natural treatment of polluted stormwater runoff and remove pollutants before they reach waterways such as the North Fork Maquoketa River. This project was made possible with a WQI grant through IDALS and CleanWater Iowa.

Timeline

• Spring 2021 – Fall 2025

Location

• Four acres within the City of Dyersville along the east side of the North Fork of the Maquoketa River and on the north and south of Beltline Road.

Assessment Metrics

• Ongoing quarterly reports to IDALs and annual monitoring and management to ensure the site meets performance standards as designated in the design standards for IDALS (monitoring forms, hydrology monitoring, identification and management of invasive species, plant identification, animals observed, vegetation management, maintenance items)

Funding Partners

• State of Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative
• Urban Conservation Program
• CleanWater Iowa