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.”

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