Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected in almost all of Iowa’s 99 counties, including Dickinson County.  The emerald ash borer’s larval stage is responsible for the damage that leads to the death of its host. The larvae’s feeding under the tree bark, eventually damaging the tree’s ability to transport moisture and nutrients from the soil … Read more

Gillnetting Season

Gillnetting has started on the Iowa Great Lakes. Mike Hawkins, Fisheries Biologist with the Iowa DNR, stated that the process for Northern Pike is already underway.  Netting Walleye & Muskies are slated to begin in a week or so. Gillnetting allows for the harvest of eggs to be hatched and delivered throughout the state to … Read more

SF2312 Threatens Environmental Groups & Landowners

Many must have been wondering whether there was something in Iowa’s water on March 4, 2019. That morning, thousands of Iowans from all corners of the state and with little notice, moved and spoke as one. In the weeks prior, email accounts, text messages, and social media were buzzing with rumors of a concerning proposal … Read more

Bur Oak Blight Continues to Plague the Lakes

(Des Moines)– The only oak species that is native in all of Iowa’s 99 counties is facing some disease issues. The D-N-R’s Tivon Feeley says they are seeing a lot of Bur Oak Blight, which is a fungus that appears on the leaf. He says Burr Oak Blight numbers have been “kind of fluctuating,” and … Read more

DNR Updates Impaired Waterways List

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources seeks public comment on its updated lists of Iowa’s impaired waterways, including several bodies of water within Dickinson County. Emerson Bay, West Lake Okoboji Lower Gar Center Lake Diamond Lake Little Spirit Lake Pleasant Lake Little Swan Lake Silver Lake Little Sioux River Prairie Lake   Both Marble Lake … Read more

Melissa Etheridge Headlines Blue Water Festival

The Okoboji Protective Association announces Melissa Etheridge to headline Blue Water Fest. One of rock’s most enduring and favorite female singer-songwriters will headline the evening concert at this summer’s Okoboji Blue Water Festival on Saturday, August 13. Melissa Etheridge – the artist with the raspy, smoky voice who has remained one of America’s favorite performers … Read more

Proposed Silver Lake Development Stirs Controvery

A public hearing regarding a developer’s request to rezone land from Highway Commercial to Resort Commercial was held on Monday, Feb. 14th’s Lake Park City Council meeting.  Seth Hellinga is proposing to build 63 cabins on the south side of Silver Lake.  Water quality, safety, boat volume, noise and aesthetics were concerns posed by the … Read more

Lower Gar – City of Milford & County Continue to Work on Agreement

The Milford City Council met Monday, February 14th and reviewed a proposed agreement with Dickinson County pertaining to the Lower Gar Outlet, saying they want changes made to it.  Supervisor Tim Fairchild informed fellow supervisors of the matter at the Tuesday, February 15th supervisor’s meeting. “They want to go to a 25-year maintenance agreement.  They … Read more

IGLA Donates to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

IGLA started 2022 with a $30,000 contribution to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation [INHF] helping to purchase the 50-acre Bedell property and its 2000 feet of pristine East Lake Okoboji shoreline. Adjacent to Elinor Bedell State Park, the 50-acre tract will never be threatened by development, thus preventing the installation of potentially 200 boat slips … Read more

Curly Leaf Pond Weed Mitigation 2021

(Orleans)– Mitigation strategies are in place for the upcoming season for curly leaf pond weed in the Iowa Great Lakes. Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources tells KUOO news the plan is similar to last year but he says they’ll be doing some additional work on Lake Minnewashta… PlayStop … Read more