Iowa Public Television

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  Program: The Iowa Journal #173
  Broadcast Date: Aug. 29, 2008
  

• Collection: Climate Change

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After a spring and summer of major flooding throughout most of the state, there is no doubt that all Iowans know the impact of water. Two-thirds of the water reaching Iowa's landscape goes directly to rivers, streams and lakes. Prior to settlement and continued development in the state, the landscape was filled with prairies and wetlands that soaked up and filtered the water before its slow release to waterways. How can the state better manage its water?

In northwest Iowa's great lakes region, water management includes requiring new construction to build in a way to deal with the storm water runoff created by the buildings.
"The Iowa Journal" visits Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Arnold's Park to see how new construction incorporates rain gardens and "eco" bricks to help filter runoff.

In the studio to talk about how all Iowans can help control storm water runoff that often causes flooding, are Wayne Peterson, Urban Conservationist with the Department of Iowa Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Tags:

• lakes
• rivers
• streams
• water quality
• tourism
• economy
• energy/environment
• floods
• climate change
• HEAT

Post Date: August 29, 2008