Iowa
Iowa DNR working to remove or modify low-head dams, could be roughly a century until complete
Quasqueton, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is on a mission to remove or modify almost every low-head dam in the state. Still, it could be a while before that task is complete.
The dams are harmful to the fish that live in these waterways and pose a large risk of drowning.
The dam at Palisades-Kepler State Park is one of approximately 172 low-head dams left on major rivers in the state of Iowa.
InvestigateTV found there is no national inventory of low-head dams and less than a third of states track where they are located.
The state of Iowa has a map of every single one.
”Those dams come across loud and clear that they’re a hazard and that you should avoid them,” Nate Hoogeveen, director of river programs for the Iowa DNR.
The Iowa DNR says these dams are “extremely dangerous.”
The water running over the top of the wall causes a reverse current which kills 1.7 people on average per year.
”No matter your experience level never decide to enter that area. Whether you’re an angler from downstream. Not if you’re a boater from upstream. It’s just super dangerous,” Hoogeveen said.
The DNR wants to remove or modify every low-head dam to make them safer for people and the fish in the stream.
The project started in 2008. Since then, 38 dam projects have been complete, one being in Quasqueton.
”It was just a regular low-head dam, probably about a 5-foot drop,” said Orlan Love, a member of the Quasqueton city council.
In 2014, the dam on the Wapsipinicon River at Quasqueton was turned into a rock arch rapids.
The added rock displaced a lot of water, helping to remove the dangerous reverse current. Since then, there haven’t been any safety concerns.
These modifications can even open the river to recreational activities.
”Theoretically you can run a kayak or canoe over the rock arch rapids,” Love said.
The DNR hopes all low-head dams can be removed or transformed like the one in Quasqueton.
“That’s a career goal for me,” Hoogeveen said. “And for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. I’m certain this will keep going long beyond me.”
Hoogeveen said it could be a century until they’re all done. The DNR does not own every low-head dam in the state. Communities work with the DNR to get the projects started.
“At the rate we’re going, it’s probably a century timeline to be honest,” Hoogeveen said. “A part of that’s a matter of communities being ready for it.”
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger on facing top-ranked Purdue
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger on facing top-ranked Purdue
Iowa State basketball guard Tamin Lipsey is expected to play and Dominick Nelson will be suited up for the Cyclones’ game against No. 1 Purdue on Saturday on Dec. 6, an Iowa State spokesperson said.
Both players are both fully participating in pregame warmups ahead of Saturday’s contest against the Boilermakers.
They each sustained groin injuries. Lipsey has missed three games since leaving in the closing minutes of the Cyclones’ 83-82 victory over St. John’s on Nov. 24. Nelson only missed one game and sat out for the Cyclones’ 132-68 win over Alcorn State on Dec. 3.
Through five games, Lipsey is averaging 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game, while shooting 50.7% overall.
Nelson has appeared in seven contests off the bench, averaging 7.4 points and 1.0 steals over 14.4 minutes per game.
Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. The game will be available on CBS.
Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger talks health of Tamin Lipsey, Dom Nelson
Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger talks health of Tamin Lipsey, Dom Nelson
This story has been updated with new information.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State wasted no time finding a replacement for Matt Campbell, hiring Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers as its football coach on Friday night.
The Cyclones moved quickly after Campbell left to take over for the fired James Franklin at Penn State on Friday. They agreed to a six-year deal with Rogers, who led Washington State to a 6-6 record in his lone season after a two-season run at South Dakota State that included an FCS championship.
“Jimmy Rogers is a rising star in college athletics who has very strong ties to the Midwest both as a player and as a coach,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. “He has been on my short list ever since the first time I met him. He immediately impressed me with his interest in Iowa State University and told me during our first visit several years ago that he wanted to be the next head coach at Iowa State.
“Since our initial meeting, I have stayed in close contact with him and have been very impressed with his work ethic and understanding of what it takes to be successful at Iowa State,” he added. “He is a proven winner who has demonstrated throughout his career that he will fit our culture.”
Rogers is 33-9 in three years as a head coach. He is one of four Washington State coaches to lead the Cougars to a bowl game in their first season.
“Iowa State has been one of the nation’s top programs for the last decade and we look forward to building upon its upward trajectory,” Rogers said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Jamie Pollard has given me to lead the Cyclones.”
Rogers spent most of the past two decades as a player or on the staff at South Dakota State. He led the Jackrabbits to a 27-3 record in two seasons as head coach, including an FCS championship repeat in 2023 and a semifinal appearance in 2024.
A linebacker at South Dakota State from 2006 to 2009, Rogers was a graduate assistant there in 2010 and 2011 before spending a year at Florida Atlantic. He returned in 2013 as linebackers coach and eventually become defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach when longtime coach John Stiegelmeier retired after leading the Jackrabbits to their first national title.
He replaces Iowa State’s winningest coach. Campbell went 72-55 in 10 seasons.
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