Woodbury County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 21st, at the Salix Community Center. The meeting is the second held as part of the Browns Lake Watershed Study. The study was initiated by the SWCD to evaluate Browns Lake watershed following designation of the lake as Impaired. An IDNR study of Browns Lake Between 2000 and 2006 defined Browns Lake as impaired, meaning that the lake was unsuitable for all of its recreational uses because of water quality decline. The study is designed to look at the watershed and identify activities and practices that are impacting water quality, and make recommendations that will improve water quality in Browns Lake.
Ed Weiner, coordinator for the study, has been meeting with a local committee to identify ways of improving water quality in the lake. A survey sent to landowners and residents was helpful in assessing public attitudes regarding water quality, and in defining land use in the watershed. Survey results have been useful in identifying solutions and land treatments that will improve the quality of water entering Browns Lake.
Information provided at the February 21st meeting will define the watershed, present survey results and committee recommendations to improve water quality. Public input is welcome, and will be included as part of a grant application to seek funding to carry out recommendations defined by the study.
The committee and all agencies involved invite all who have an interest in Browns Lake to attend the meeting. Bring your ideas and be ready to share them, or attend the meeting to learn watershed management and how the study will benefit the lake. Your support and input is important in improving and preserving the recreational future of Browns Lake.