Earlier this month on December 1 the Iowa Department of Natural Resources released its 2020 Impaired Waters Report. The Report indicates that 61% of rivers and Streams, 67% of Lakes and Reservoirs and 23% of wetlands do not meet water quality standards.
According to the DNR there are three steps that are part of the study’s determinations. “Each lake and stretch of stream or river in Iowa is designated for a specific use, like for contact recreation such as swimming or fishing; for drinking water; or for maintaining a healthy population of fish and other aquatic life. If the water quality does not allow it to meet its designated use, it does not meet Iowa’s water quality standards and is considered ‘impaired’.
The waterbody is then placed on the“303(d) “ list, commonly known as the ‘impaired waters list.’ This is named after section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act and means that the stream or lake needs a water quality improvement plan written.”
Five Island Lake’s impairment status is listed as continuing. The lake’s use is recreation with primary contact but there are aesthetically objectionable water conditions. In 2018 the DNR established that the pollutant affecting the water was turbidity. This is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as “the quality or state of a liquid being cloudy because of small pieces of matter held in it.” A TMDL or total maximum daily load study of the sediment in the water has been completed which contributed to the new designation of continuing. The next step is to generate a water quality improvement plan.
The plan is currently being researched and written by Warren Jennings, the Watershed Coordinator. The plan will outline ways that both the DNR and local citizens can come together to improve the water quality of the lake. This will be comprehensive and the implementation will take time, commitment, dedication and dollars. When a plan is completed, the DNR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will jointly determine if the lake is no longer impaired.
The Iowa DNR has been in existence sine 1986. Their oversight of Iowa’s waters is just one of their areas of expertise. Through the years the organization has done great work not only in identifying the need for water quality, but doing the investigative work that will lead to a local plan to improve the water so that it meets its intended use.
And finally, KUDOS to artist Marta Biittner, the Palo Alto Arts Council and Iowa Trust & Savings Bank for the Five Island Lake Mural recently installed downtown. This artwork, which pays homage to those in the past that made it their mission to improve the lake, is a wonderful account of what the lake means to the community and future generations.
Previous question’s answer: The lake’s previous names included Jackman’s Lake, Corley Lake, Battle Lake and Medium Lake.
Question: How many acres does Five Island Lake cover?
Written by Diane Weiland
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