Blog For Tag "microcystin"

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 In this guest blog, Lyndy Holt shares results from her Master's work with the University of Iowa's Healthy Lakes Initiative. Iowa Water Watch readers were invited to participate in the Iowa Water Recreation Survey in the April 2023 newsletter. The survey yielded 1,638 respondents throughout the state and established the channels that Iowans use to learn about water health and safety.

posted by Angelisa Belden on Thursday, August 3, 2023 A roadtrip to get photos of an ongoing toxic algae bloom reinforced the need to expand water quality advisory signage to protect ALL Iowans.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, May 26, 2023 With the Memorial Day holiday upon us, the start of summer recreation, and weekly beach monitoring, summer has begun! With that comes the start of IEC's Weekly Water Watch series. Read on to learn about new advisory data and activities this summer.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, September 11, 2020 As summer draws to a close, we're looking back at Weekly Water Watch 2020. Even with weeks full of unbelievable news, Iowa's waters still saw toxic algae blooms, E. coli contamination, drought, and high beach visitation across the state this year.

posted by Angelisa Belden on Friday, August 21, 2020 I spent a significant amount of money for a weekend getaway at an Iowa lake. Imagine my disappointment to find the water covered in green algae on day 2. Was it safe to swim? Who knows? Will I go back? That remains to be seen - and that's a danger for the local economy.

posted on Friday, July 31, 2020 Both the DNR and Polk County Conservation Board have reported a tremendous increase in park attendance, including increased beach and water recreation use since COVID-19 hit Iowa. However, before you throw on your swimsuit and goggles, know the risks of swimming prior to hitting the beach.

posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 With their votes in 2010, Iowans made it clear that they support a sales tax increase for a permanent, protected funding source to improve water quality, enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, preserve our natural areas, and support Iowa communities. This year's proposal to fund the Trust is exciting, but we've identified several areas for improvement.

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, September 6, 2019 It's time to put our money where our mouths – and our boats, fishing poles, and splash pads – are. Mandatory conservation practices to reduce pollution at the source, adequate funding for water quality monitoring and enforcement by the DNR, and significant progress with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy are just a few of the measures we are calling for to clean up and preserve Iowa's waters

posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 As a water quality professional, I know all too well the risks that harmful algae blooms carry for those of us just trying to cool off and enjoy ourselves at the lake. For our pets and our children, those risks can be particularly high.