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As we wrap up 2022, let's reflect on all of the work that you helped the Iowa Great Lakes Association make possible.
Who We Are
The Iowa Great Lakes Association, or IGLA, was found in 2008 as a nonprofit 501(c)4 environmental organization existing to protect, preserve and enhance the Iowa Great Lakes.
IGLA is a multi-issue organization that strives to be an active influence in promotion for environmental health and quality of life in the Iowa Great Lakes region. We support organizations whose environmental missions include protection of the Iowa Great Lakes watershed area.
What We Do
The Iowa Great Lakes Association supports clean water efforts as well as other environmental and social initiatives to protect the quality of life for those in the Iowa Great Lakes area. Click on a topic below to view our video updates and learn more about our work.
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Featured News
Milford City Council Approves Agreement for Bridge at Lower Gar Outlet
On Tuesday, October 11th the Milford City Council approved an agreement with Dickinson County with regards to the outlet at Lower Gar. The county will replace some of the culverts with a bridge. IGLA’s own Bill VanOrsdel is thrilled with the development as our nonprofit has been working on a solution for over a decade … Read more
City of Milford Contributes to Eurasian Watermilfoil Fight
(Milford)– Another governmental entity has voted to set aside funds in the battle against eurasian watermilfoil on the Iowa Great Lakes. The Milford City Council Monday evening voted unanimously in favor of a motion by councilman Andy Yungbluth… “I’ll make a motion that we take $6,000 from the Water Quality Commission remaining money this year, … Read more
County Supervisors Unanimously Approve Emergency Allocation to Battle Eurasian Watermilfoil
9/6/2022 KUOO Radio (Spirit Lake)– We told you several weeks ago about eurasian watermilfoil being found in several of the Iowa Great Lakes. The invasive plant was discovered nearly a month ago in Upper and Lower Gar, East Lake Okoboji and Lake Minnewashta. Terry Wilts of the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation told the Dickinson County … Read more
DNR Discourages Swimming at Emerson Bay Due To Bacteria Levels
Spirit Lake, IA (KICD 107.7 Radio)– A public beach in the Iowa Great Lakes has a swimming advisory headed into the last weekend before labor Day. The Iowa DNR does periodic tests at public beaches, and the last test on Wednesday indicates a higher than normal level of E Coli bacteria at Emerson Bay on … Read more
E. Coli Levels Alarming on Big Spirit Lake Beach
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the water concentration of E. Coli on Crandall’s Beach on Big Spirit Lake has surpassed the capabilities of DNR test kits. The beach registered more than 24,000 viable bacteria. This is 10 times what is considered unhealthy. Rapid bacteria growth may be due to recent summer temps or … Read more
Okoboji Blue Water Festival
The Okoboji Blue Water Festival has fast become an Okoboji summer tradition. Join fellow lake lovers this Saturday, August 13 for a full day of fun along the shores of our majestic lakes. Schedule of 2022 Festival Events • 8 AM-Chalkstock • 8:30 AM-James L. Pease presentation “Connecting Wildlife and Water Quality” • 9:30 AM-Kid’s … Read more
RV Parks & Campgrounds in the News
IGLA has been monitoring the number of proposed campgrounds at both the county & city level in our area. Here are headlines from the past 6-months. People are paying attention.
Iowa DNR Treating Eurasian Watermilfoil in Iowa Great Lakes
SPIRIT LAKE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil is growing at multiple locations in East Okoboji Lake, Upper Gar Lake, Lake Minnewashta, and Lower Gar Lake in Dickinson County The Iowa DNR Aquatic Plant Management team monitors 153 sites at the Iowa Great Lakes each year. Each site is visited … Read more
Supervisors Approve Planning & Zoning Recommendations
June 28, 2022 Dickinson County Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation from the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission to move campgrounds in areas zoned R-1 suburban residential & resort enterprise from permitted uses to conditional uses in those areas. Zoning Administrator David Kohlhaase says the move will allow for some “additional checks & balances”. At … Read more
Proposed Campground Draws Protest
It was standing room only in the April Dickinson County Board of Adjustment meeting as a 174-site campground was proposed at the Woodlyn Hills Golf Course. One of the developers of the proposed campground, Brian Schmidt said this would fill a void in our community. Neighbors voiced concern over public safety, noise, aesthetics, traffic and … Read more
We are fortunate to have Lake associations at each Lake in our chain advocating & fighting to keep our waters pristine for everyone. This is the ONLY foul play any of us want to see! ... See MoreSee Less
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DNR Gives Update On Treatments For Eurasian Watermilfoil & Curly Leaf Pond Weed In Iowa Great Lakes
www.exploreokoboji.com/news/news-stories/dnr-gives-update-on-treatments-for-eurasian-watermilfoil... ... See MoreSee Less
Explore Okoboji
www.exploreokoboji.com
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For Pollinators' Sakes, Don’t Spring into Garden Cleanup Too Soon!
xerces.org
Early spring garden cleanup can disrupt critical invertebrate habitat and leave pollinators out in the cold. Our guidelines will help you determine when cleaning up won't bug the pollinators in your s...Comment on Facebook
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Bob Mulhair
That was one long winter, wasn't it? We're all eager for blue skies & blue water, aren't we?!? Subterranean springs help provide the cool, clear, blue water of Iowa's most popular lake, West Lake Okoboji.🛶
Is it truly a blue lake? There's been much discussion surrounding the topic, yet there's no denying West Okoboji Lake is clear & is known for the bluish tint caused by the spring-fed water 'turning over' twice yearly, which adds to its quality and oxygen content.⛵️
Join our mission of preservation & protection. Let's keep the Iowa Great Lakes GREAT for generations to come.
IAGreatLakes.com
#helpthelakes #iowagreatlakes #cleanwateriowa #keepokobojiblue #westlakeokoboji #protectoutlakes #iglaprotects #iglapreserves ... See MoreSee Less
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Keep Okoboji Blue - regulate tighter agricultural levels of chemicals.
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We had two trumpeter swans resting in our yard one year.
Awesome
Inflation Reduction Act - 23-million dollars of the money has been earmarked for landscape conservation and restoration in parts of northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, Montana, and North and South Dakota. The investment comes at the same time the Endangered Species Act turns 50. Plumer said much of the 120-million-dollar investment will go right to work on the land of individuals who ... See MoreSee Less
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www.exploreokoboji.com
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Hopefully your presentation will be available online?
What pictures are in the pamphlet?
Eugene S. Ellsworth (1848-1907) of Iowa Falls, Iowa was involved in putting the first Steamer on Spirit Lake.
Clara James
Just a marsupial cartoon. Tis the day o’kay.🍀 ... See MoreSee Less
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Savanna June
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Interesting article from the Minnesota DNR regarding the melting of lake ice. ... See MoreSee Less
How Lake Ice Melts
www.dnr.state.mn.us
A wonderful description of how lake ice melts away appeared on the web blog "Air Mass", hosted by the Star Tribune's Bill McAuliffe. Ed Swain, of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the p...Comment on Facebook
Migration is underway! ... See MoreSee Less
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They are Beautiful ❤️
Breath-taking !
So pretty!!
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