Latest news with #IowaDNR
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iowa DNR shares river safety tips
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has important safety tips for Iowans looking to spend time on Iowa's waterways. Todd Robertson, a river programs water trails coordinator for the Iowa DNR, said that the number one thing Iowans need when on the river is a life jacket. 'It goes down to the very basic number one, which is wearing the life jacket, the life jacket's made for a reason. It does a certain thing for you, and that is it keeps your head above water. It keeps you buoyant, because if you dump your boat in a river with all the current and you don't have your life jacket on, it is so easy to get pulled down underneath the water,' Robertson said. Republican Senators who forced pipeline vote say fight for landowner rights is not over The DNR also recommends that Iowans avoid going on the river after heavy rain. 'You just can't go start paddling on a river the day after a super heavy rain. And the reason for that is because all the debris washes in from the banks and you get wood piled on top of wood. And we call those strainers and those are really deadly,' Robertson said. Robertson said that strainers can flip boats and trap paddlers. 'So you just have a big mess of wood. The only problem with that is it's like a spaghetti strainer. The water is going through the strainer and it's sucking the water through. But if you get your boat and your body up against that, you can slip and you can actually get sucked underneath that. And if that happens, that's real bad news,' Robertson said. To learn more about river safety, visit the Iowa DNR's website. Iowa News: Iowa DNR shares river safety tips Republican Senators who forced pipeline vote say fight for landowner rights is not over Body of missing fisherman recovered from Three Mile Lake in Union County WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, June 18th Small town, big heart, big canvas: Iowa community to unveil new mural Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gray skies perfect for Iowa DNR free fishing weekend
DES MOINES, Iowa — Gray skies proved to be the perfect weather for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources free fishing weekend. From June 6th to 8th, the Iowa DNR hosted its free fishing weekend meant to encourage newcomers to the pastime. Normally, anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a valid fishing license to fish on Iowa waters. Isaiah 117 House holds community-wide kickoff, goal to open house With the rules suspended, several people spend some time at Gray's Lake. 'It was a little rough during the rain, but other than that, catching the bluegill was something,' said Armando. 'The water has been clear, has been nice, not too harsh.' 'I mean, you've got something to learn from everybody, and someone's out here always fishing. Everyone is pretty friendly when it comes to fishing, and they're willing to help,' said Zeke. 'Yeah, I think the weekend is a good motivation if you haven't really fished before, you try to learn how to do it, a great time to test it out and see if it's something you like,' said Fred. Those ready to test out the waters can visit the Iowa DNR Fishing Atlas for access to lake or river details, fishing reports, and survey data. Find information about fishing license renewal on the Iowa DNR page under the 'Things to Do' tab. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Eddie Andrews announces run for Iowa Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa — On late Wednesday morning on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol building, another Iowa Republican threw his hat in to the ring to seek the state's highest office. State Representative Eddie Andrews (R) from District 43 had a crowd of supporters there for his announcement. Rep. Andrews said in his speech that he is focused on expanding accessible mental health care and youth transition programs. Iowa DNR looking for volunteers for second year of Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas He also said that he wants to bring the state back to the top in education, referencing private, public, charter and home schools. He commented on the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines, stating that he sides with the landowner, as he has voted on in the Iowa House. He used issues to discuss money involved in state politics and how he wants to get rid of the dollar influence when running for office. In a statement he said: 'Iowa deserves a Governor who listens and delivers. My experience as a tech entrepreneur, minister, and legislator prepares me to serve you. I invite you to join my fight to build an Iowa that works for all.' State Rep. Eddie Andrews, (R) District 43, candidate for Iowa Governor To learn more about Rep. Andrews, his campaign website is live and linked here. Iowa News: WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, June 4 State Rep. Eddie Andrews announces run for Iowa Governor Motorcyclist killed in crash with semi on Floyd County highway Iowa DNR looking for volunteers for second year of Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas Contractor tried to resell stolen medical equipment worth $60k from new UI hospital online, police say Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfires trigger air quality alert in Iowa
The smoke from Canadian wildfires left a thick haze over West Des Moines' Raccoon River Park this week. (Photo by Clark Kauffman/Iowa Capita Dispatch) Smoke from the fires currently ravaging the Canadian wilderness arrived at Iowa's northern border Monday night and will likely impact air quality throughout the state in the coming days. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has announced an air quality alert across Iowa that will be in effect until 6 a.m., Thursday, June 5. During this time, Iowa DNR expects the air to contain an unhealthy amount of hazardous airborne pollutants from the wildfire smoke. 'It's like predicting snowfall,' said Todd Russell, one of the ambient air monitoring staff at Iowa DNR. 'It's difficult to tell how much smoke is up there, how much smoke will reach the ground and how long it's going to last.' Russell said the decision to put the alert in effect came after observing levels of particulates 'multiple times the federal standard' in northern Iowa towns, such as Emmetsburg, for several hours. Areas near the Minnesota border are still seeing high levels of particulates, he said. Based on several models of smoke movement that mirrored the changes the Iowa DNR observed on Monday night, Russell says his 'conservative' estimate is that the smoke will remain at least through Wednesday evening. According to AirNow, a central hub of EPA air-quality information at state and national levels, individuals with lung or heart diseases, children, teenagers, pregnant women, adults over the age of 65 and people more likely to be outside for extended periods are at risk of more severe health effects caused by the smoke. However, AirNow recommends everyone reduce their exposure. 'Stay away from it if you can and minimize your exercise or intake of that smoke if you can't get away from it,' Russell said. As of June 3, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center reports 213 active fires, of which 106 are 'out of control.' The area burned by these fires since the start of 2025 is greater than 4.8 million acres of land. The National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho announced 150 federal firefighters would be mobilized to help suppress fires in Alberta and Manitoba provinces. Minnesota and Wisconsin have similar alerts in effect currently. Real-time updates on air quality and affected areas are available here.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa DNR has some reminders as fawning season begins
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a few things they'd like Siouxlanders to keep in mind as deer fawning season gets underway. From the last week of May through the first couple of weeks of June is the peak time of year for does to give birth. That means for the next several weeks, DNR officials expect to get plenty of calls from concerned Iowans who believe they've found an abandoned fawn. However, chances are the fawn's mother is close by and watching. 'Fawns will be left alone while the doe returns only to nurse. This is normal deer behavior,' said Jim Coffey, a forest wildlife resource biologist with Iowa DNR in a press release. He also added, don't be shocked if you find the fawn in what may seem like an odd place, such as your lawn or garden. 'The doe searches out an isolated location where she feels safe, and, on occasion, those places may leave us scratching our heads, wondering what the doe was thinking. But she chose that place because it made sense to her.' Story continues below Top Story: 11th annual Thunder on the Missouri rides on Lights & Sirens: Dickinson Co officials looking for possible suspect Sports: Local Iowa high school state track and field highlights and results (5-23-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here The Iowa DNR will not be rehabilitating or comingling fawns with other deer to avoid the potential of spreading chronic wasting disease or other illnesses. So the best bet is simply to leave the fawn alone wherever you found it. Also important to note, deer are especially active during fawning season, and that means an increase in deer crossing the road. Drivers should keep a sharp eye out to avoid the risk of a crash. The DNR adds, if you do hit a deer in Iowa, you can get a salvage tag for the meat by calling your local conservation officer or law enforcement agency. The tag is free, but you must have one in order to get the meat legally processed. The deer must also be entirely removed from the roadway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
