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Protecting treasured trout in Sny Magill Watershed project helps protect one of northeast Iowa’s most popular trout streams |
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Although many were installed more than 15 years ago, the conservation measures intended to improve water quality in one of Iowa’s most popular trout streams are still doing their job today. The measures undertaken by local landowners, called best management practices, were designed to reducesoil erosion and keep sediment from the stream, as well as to keep nutrients from the stream. More than 50 miles of terraces, 60 water and sediment control basins, and 8 grade stabilization structures were installed on land draining into the stream. More than 450 acres of contour buffer strips, a like number of acres of planned grazing systems, 710 acresof improved pasture management, and 750 acres of timber stand improvement teamed with those practices to keep sediment and nutrients away from the stream. The cooperative, interagency watershed project was managed by the Clayton County Soil and Water Conservation District, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation. Nutrient and pest management on more than 3,000acres and more than 1300 feet of streambank stabilization were also helpful to trout. Sny Magill Creek is one of the more widely used streams for recreational trout fishing in Iowa. It’s one of 25 coldwater streams identified by the state of Iowa as a priority concern. The stream is handicap accessible, and is surrounded by more than 1600 acres of public lands. |
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One in a series of summaries of watershed projects in Iowa carried out by local conservation districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation, and other partners. |
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