Cedar Valley Residents Embrace Urban Conservation to Improve Water Quality

Over the past two decades, the Cedar Valley community has come together to embrace urban conservation efforts and improve water quality in Dry Run Creek. As part of the Dry Run Creek Watershed Improvement Project, residents of Cedar Falls and Waterloo have adopted more than 300 water conservation practices, including rain gardens, rain barrels, and permeable pavement.

The watershed project, which is a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Black Hawk County Soil and Water Conservation District, and local organizations, has provided technical and financial resources to support these community-driven efforts. In total, the project has spent $3.1 million in cost-share funds on landowner projects, helping to filter 120 million gallons of stormwater runoff and prevent 3,700 tons of soil from eroding into the creek each year.

The success of the Dry Run Creek Watershed Improvement Project has been driven by the passion and commitment of the Cedar Valley residents. As the region experiences increasing urbanization, the project has focused on finding ways to integrate conservation practices into people's homes and public spaces, creating a visible impact on the local environment. By working together, the community has demonstrated the power of collective action in protecting their shared natural resources.