AGENCIES, INDUSTRY, SPORTSMEN AND LANDOWNERS COME TOGETHER FOR UNIQUE WETLAND DEVELOPMENT
By
Bob Sheets, Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist
Maquoketa, Iowa

(Red line represents the approximate basin of the Lower Rock Creek cooperative wetland project; 
Blue line represents the approximate channel of Rock Creek.) 

Lower Rock Creek near Camanche Iowa winds its way to the backwaters of the Mississippi River after draining 22 square miles of Eastern Iowa landscape.  Historically, rainfall in this watershed has had a tough time gathering and diluting farm chemicals and industrial byproducts as it found its way to the Mississippi river.  Such a tough time in fact that in 1998 the U.S. EPA declared Rock Creek one of the most polluted watersheds in Iowa.  All the indicators were there.  In the backwaters of the Mississippi river below the mouth of Rock Creek there were heavy algal blooms and lowered plant and animal diversity.  It was obvious that high levels of nutrients were taking their toll.

With these observations in mind, the Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau went to one of
the landowners in the watershed in late 1995 to suggest an improvement.  If a large wetland were created on the lower end of Rock Creek, cattail beds and other emergent plant communities would have a chance to clean the water before it entered the Mississippi river.  The owner, Arcadian Chemical, was not interested in the adventure so the project was abandoned.  Then in 1997, the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau began more intensive water quality sampling in concert with the Iowa DNR Water Quality Bureau.  Analysis of two years of collected data revealed the stream was carrying highly elevated levels of nitrogen and ammonia.  Lower Rock Creek sampling indicated that the stream was carrying 2 milligrams of ammonia/liter of water when 0.1 mg/liter or less was common for most Iowa streams.  Combined nitrogen was found to average 16 mg/liter when normal streams were showing much less than 4 mg/liter.  Repeated fish kills were occurring too often in Schrikers Slough, a well known Mississippi river backwater just below the mouth of Rock Creek.  Large Algal blooms were occurring several times each year due to the high nutrient levels entering the system from Rock Creek.  When the algae became thick and matted, it would die and create serious fish kills as the water consumed all available oxygen during the rotting process.

Armed with this troubling information, the Iowa DNR went to the new owners of the upstream chemical plant, PCS Nitrogen, and offered a plan to collect groundwater from the plant and treat it before it entered the Mississippi river.  After modeling the effects of wetland development on nitrogen loading in Rock Creek, PCS Nitrogen joined the effort to allow and help finance the development of a large wetland complex near U.S. 67 and 9th  Street west of Camanche.  The Clinton County Natural Resource Conservation Service assisted in finding a solution to the problem by applying for and receiving an Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship grant to work with landowners in the Rock Creek watershed.  Emphasis is being placed on working with individual landowners to develop manure management plans, install filter strips and slow runoff along waterways leading to Rock Creek.

While agency coordination was coming together, along came Mark Cross, a new downstream landowner.  Mr. Cross had a life long vision to create and live near a wetland. He knew marshlands hosted a great variety of wildlife, and he wanted to be near one for his own life enjoyment.  Mr. Cross contacted Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Bob Sheets in early 1998 asking if he could help construct the marsh.  Surveys were completed and it was learned that approximately 85 acres of lowland cow pasture could be converted to wetland with the construction of a small stop log structure placed on Mr. Cross’ property.

Plans continued, pipeline companies were advised, Iowa Department of Transportation engineers were consulted, adjacent landowners were brought into the process, water level agreements were negotiated and agency permits were obtained.  Following nearly one year of coordination and planning with supporting sportsmen’s organizations, the lower Rock Creek marsh has been completed.  General Constructors of Bettendorf was selected to design and install the 40' long water control structure.  Work began after January 1, 2000 and was completed March 1, 2000.

A coalition of Ducks Unlimited, Waterfowl USA, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Clinton Izaak Walton League, Clinton County Pheasants Forever, PCS Nitrogen, Mr. Mark Cross, IDNR, and the Clinton County NRCS made this project a reality.  In addition to the wetland development, PCS Nitrogen joined forces with the Wildlife Bureau, Clinton County Pheasants Forever and the Clinton County Conservation Board to seed 50 acres of adjacent farmland to native grass.  The deep-rooted grasses will provide quality nesting and roosting cover for songbirds, waterfowl and other upland nesting species, while at the same time reducing the transport of nitrogen into Rock Creek and the Mississippi river.  Future plans include creating nesting islands in the wetland and installing pole-mounted nesting structures for wood ducks, hooded mergansers and mallards. 

As a result of this project, it is expected that the waters of the Mississippi river will be a little cleaner and that the citizens of Camanche, Iowa will have the opportunity to see a greater number and variety of wildlife.  This cooperative effort between the Iowa DNR, Industry, local conservation groups and private citizens is an example of how innovative partnerships can improve the quality of life for all Iowans. 

For further information regarding how wetlands benefit wildlife and water quality, or for additional information regarding the Lower Rock Creek project contact:  Bob Sheets, Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist, Courthouse, Maquoketa, IA  52060.  Ph: (563) 652-3132.

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