There also was skepticism private land owners would pay for conservation measures, such as wetlands, buffer strips or cover crops, he said. The DNR determined in the early 2000s soil retention ponds were needed in the Backbone Lake watershed to reduce runoff, but officials did not know whether ponds would hold water because of the porous topography, Sunne said.

The state has been dredging sediment from the lake at Geode State Park, near Danville, this past summer to reduce the potential for harmful algae that generate toxins that can sicken swimmers. An enclosed nature center and butterfly sanctuary showcase diverse wildlife and plant life inhabiting the area. 29 Reviews About State Park Located about an hour’s drive north of Cedar Rapids, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park. The park features beautiful overlooks of the Mississippi River. This was after crews removed 130,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake bed. Eastern Iowa’s Bellevue State Park is rich in archaeological, historical and natural beauty. Nearly a hundred years ago, State Geologist Samuel Calvin wrote these words about 'The Backbone.' Backbone consists of 2,002 acres and is heavily wooded with a variety of tree. The park is named for its narrow and steep ridge of dolomite/limestone the 'Devil's Backbone'. Meet the new members of our family: Tigerflame, Rex, Bruce, and. Kent Park, a Johnson County park, reopened its beach in May after a nearly $3 million lake renovation that included adding new catch basins to filter runoff and new storm sewer intake structures. It is Iowa's first state park and arguably remains Iowa's best state park. Short adventure today at Backbone State Park. Many Iowa lakes have undergone restoration projects in recent years to improve water quality. The DNR still is interested in bacteria tracking, but there does not appear to have been a focus on Backbone Lake in recent years. You will begin to receive our Daily News updates. Add your contacts.įirst, 'what is the issue? And then what can we do about it?” he said. By knowing the source of the bacteria, they could perhaps stem the flow, Kehrli said earlier this week. Iowa DNR environmental specialist Chad Kehrli collected water samples from Backbone Lake in 2003, cultured them and was attempting to figure out whether feces in the water came from livestock, wildlife or humans. In the early 2000s, scientists were interested in finding a way to reduce bacteria flow into the lake. 'An inch of rain and we're going to get a bad water sample,” he said. One of the reasons the lake has poor water quality is because 86,000 acres of farmland drain into a 50-acre lake, Sunne said. Feces can carry parasites or other pathogens that can sicken swimmers.īackbone Lake was created in the 1930s by damming the Maquoketa River. If swimmers don't have open wounds, have strong immune systems and shower immediately after exiting the water, they likely won't get sick, Sunne added. 'To some extent, people are used to it,” he said.

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