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  Your generosity will contribute to the cost of the flood study, whose recommendation will provide lake level management, help prevent flooding, protect high water damage to shorelines, docks, lifts and hoists.

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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.

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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

October 13, 2022

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

September 13, 2022

(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

September 6, 2022

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

August 29, 2022

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

August 24, 2022

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

August 11, 2022

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

August 11, 2022

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

August 11, 2022

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 29, 2022

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

April 27, 2022

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

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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

That was one long winter, wasnt it?  Were all eager for blue skies & blue water, arent we?!? Subterranean springs help provide the cool, clear, blue water of Iowas most popular lake, West Lake Okoboji.🛶

Is it truly a blue lake? Theres been much discussion surrounding the topic, yet theres 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.  Lets keep the Iowa Great Lakes GREAT for generations to come.

IAGreatLakes.com

#helpthelakes #iowagreatlakes #cleanwateriowa #keepokobojiblue #westlakeokoboji #protectoutlakes #iglaprotects #iglapreserves

Comment on Facebook

Keep Okoboji Blue - regulate tighter agricultural levels of chemicals.

Just a marsupial cartoon. Tis the day o’kay.🍀 ... See MoreSee Less

Just a marsupial cartoon. Tis the day o’kay.🍀
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