What's the problem with Three Mile Lake?
Although Iowans find the fishing and hunting great at Three Mile Lake, the main purpose of the lake is to provide a safe, reliable drinking supply to southern Iowa residents.

Three Mile Lake, like many previously constructed lakes in southern Iowa, has potential environmental problems threatening them, such as erosion. During the planning and construction of the lake, project leaders implemented a proactive approach to address these problems before the lake was completed. Even with this proactive approach, environmental problems have still taken its toll on Three Mile Lake. One of the main concerns is erosion around the boat ramp area, and issues like these are being addressed as they appear.
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What's being done to help Three Mile Lake?
Three Mile Lake has a 23,230-acre watershed stretching from northern Union County into southern Adair County. The efforts of watershed protection have resulted in 85 percent of the land being treated to acceptable soil erosion levels. Private landowners, in conjunction with the lake sponsors, have installed 54 sediment control basins, and 30 grade stabilization structures (ponds) since 1990. Grade stabilization structures are used in the Three Mile Lake watershed to reduce water flow, resulting in less soil and gully erosion.

Since 1990, the Three Mile Lake Watershed Project has installed more than 70,000 feet of terraces. Terraces are an efficient practice in reducing soil erosion and sediment in the watershed. Terraces are built around a hillside and either slow runoff and guide it to the bottom of the hill or collect runoff and store it until the runoff can be absorbed by the ground. Terraces must be properly designed and maintained to combat erosion.
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What can I do to help?
Landowners in the Three Mile Lake watershed can improve the lake by partnering with the Three Mile Lake Watershed Project.

Paul Goldsmith, district conservationist and project coordinator, can work with you to evaluate your property and identify practices that can help both the lake and your property. Goldsmith can also help find financial assistance to install those practices. Landowners participating in the watershed project can generally get improved financial assistance opportunities.
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What is the future of Three Mile Lake?
"The future is very positive for Three Mile Lake," said Goldsmith. "I believe the lake is in great shape and many people enjoy its resources each year."
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Meet the project coordinator
Paul Goldsmith grew up on a small farm near Earlville, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in fish and wildlife biology in 1980. He became the district conservationist in Osage in 1984 before becoming district conservationist in Creston in 1986, where he coordinates the Three Mile Lake project. Goldsmith enjoys being outside and working with others.

For other ways you can get involved with the Three Mile Lake Watershed Project, contact Paul Goldsmith, district conservationist/project coordinator at (641) 782-4218 or Paul.Goldsmith@ia.usda.gov
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Project partners

• Iowa DNR
• Iowa Department of Agriculture - Division of Soil Conservation
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

For More Information
Local:
Paul Goldsmith
District Conservationist
(641) 782-4218
Paul.Goldsmith@ia.usda.gov
Union County NRCS Office

Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov