Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District

"In the preservation of our natural resources
is the preservation of human kind."

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Lake Macbride Watershed Project

Mission Statement


To improve the Lake Macbride Watershed by stimulating community interest in order to enhance our unique natural resources for future generations through sustainable practices. (Adopted by the Lake Macbride Watershed Advisory Committee, April 16, 2002)

Goals

Use Four-Tiered Approach to Accomplish Goals (Adopted by the Lake Macbride Watershed Advisory Committee, April 16, 2002)

  • Lead by example
  • Educate
  • Use subsidy to encourage
  • Influence policies
  1. Inventory Watershed and Acquire Baseline Data
    1. Determine what data exists for watershed, collect data where gaps exist, and network with county and other organizations.
      (nitrate levels, sediment, bacteria, phosphates, heavy metals, etc.)
    2. Get better feel for watershed (strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics).
    3. Need some measurement method/way to measure progress. Need starting point to tell if we accomplished anything (water quality monitoring – streams, lake, wells).
    4. Set priorities where we can start. Start with easiest to detect (point source) and then move to non-point source.

  2. Promote and install conservation practices and other techniques to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat
    1. Determine who target market is and establish how we connect people to the watershed project.
    2. Encourage the adoption of the following practices and techniques:
      • ponds/retention basins
      • water and sediment control basins and terraces
      • bufferstrips and stripcropping
      • animal waste systems
      • grass waterways
      • nutrient and pest management
      • wetlands
      • native prairie and tree plantings
      • subdivision ordinances
      • Address lawn care such as residential fertilization and grass heights.
      • Address yard runoff (water and snow melt).
      • Address residential wastewater issues (septic).
      • Leave buffer along lake.
      • Encourage minimum use of chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers.
      • Wash car on grass versus driveway.
      • Use biodegradable soap and potassium chloride (potash) for snowmelt.
      • Establish prairie grasses and open space areas in housing developments.
      • Reduce square footage of ground that does not infiltrate water (storm water runoff).
      • Establish system for picking up trash around waterways (possibly students).
      • Clean up and inventory stockpiles of waste/dumpsites in watershed.
      • Preserve and enhance wildlife habitat. A good watershed equals good wildlife.

  3. Provide educational opportunities and develop public relations campaign
    1. Provide educational workshops and technical assistance to homeowners, farmers, students of Solon School District, etc.
    2. Establish student-involvement forever (establish something with schools).
    3. Inform people about direct and indirect impacts on water quality of Lake Macbride.
    4. Have monthly ongoing tip to advise people on what they can to do to improve the quality of the watershed.
    5. Make people aware of available programs for watershed improvement.
    6. Public Relations! We want people to be aware of what we are doing. We want people to voluntarily come forward.
    7. Have pride involved. Emphasize outstanding/strengths to lead people to POSITIVE approach. We already have something worthwhile, let’s keep it.
    8. Set example for our community on how you have a positive impact on watershed.
    9. Promote and establish good demonstration sites such as Chain Ridge Subdivision.
    10. Expand on Solon Nature and Recreation Area wetland/pond project. (buffers)

  4. Influence municipal, county, and state policy that can address advisory committee’s recommendations and help public understand connection between data we have and policies set
    1. Use growth management tools to enhance the Lake Macbride Watershed. Balance agriculture and urban land uses.
    2. Establish rules for development in terms of runoff.
    3. Assure there’s erosion control with construction project (1 for acre in size).

  5. Partner with other resources to increase watershed efforts
    1. Help landowners in Mill and Jordan Creek watersheds (like Macbride Advisory committee) to organize.
    2. Work with Roger Wolf, Raccoon River Watershed Coordinator, to leverage dollars we have to get money from other sources.
    3. Work with private land biologist.

Project Summary

Lake Macbride is located in the northern part of Johnson County approximately four miles west of Solon, Iowa. It is situated in the North Corridor which is one of the fastest growing areas in the county. Although some of the lake can be found in the Lake Macbride State Park, a significant portion is bordered by private property. 100% of the shoreline is publicly owned. The lake has a surface area of 812 acres and drains 16,205 acres. Jordan and Mill creeks are the two main creeks that drain into Lake Macbride.

Lake Macbride was named after Thomas Macbride who was a local professor and botanist at the University of Iowa in the early 1900's. Thomas Macbride was one of the leading founders of conservation efforts in Iowa and dreamed of having a "rural park" in Johnson County. The Iowa City Chamber of Commerce began the project in 1932. The dam was financed through the Federal Emergency Program to build a 178-acre lake. The park was opened to the public in 1937. When the Coralville Reservoir was constructed in 1955, the lake increased to a total of 812 acres.

Lake Macbride is listed on Iowa's 303(d) list. According to the 303(d) list, siltation and nutrients from agricultural nonpoint sources impact the water quality of the lake. As a result of the amount of development that is taking place in the watershed, urban nonpoint pollution also plays a significant role. Under the leadership of the Advisory Committee, the Lake Macbride Watershed Project will improve the quality of the water before it reaches Lake Macbride. The Advisory Commitee consists of thirteen people who live and work in the watershed.

Eligible cost-share practices

Urban and rural loandowners are eligible to receive financial assistance to install the following cost-share practices:

  • Animal Waste Management Systems
  • Conservation Buffers
  • Erosion Control Blankets
  • Farmstead and Feedlot Windbreaks
  • Grade Stabilization Structures
  • Grassed Waterways
  • Mulching/Composting
  • Nutrient/Pest Management Incentives @ $3/acre
  • Pasture Management/Rotational Grazing
  • Streambank Stabilization
  • Terraces
  • Timber Stand Improvement
  • Tree and Shrub Plantings
  • Vegetation Demonstrations
  • Water and Sediment Control Basins
  • Whole Farm Planning with Incentives @$15/acre

Advisory Committee

  • Bennett Brown
  • Laurie Canady
  • Rose Ann Deitch
  • Brandy Forbes
  • Charles Gleason
  • Tracy Hufford
  • Mike Krall
  • Bill Leefers
  • Paul Moore
  • Jack Neuzil
  • Gwen Prentice
  • Sam Stahle
  • Ed Ulch

The Advisory Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4 - 6 pm, generally at the Solon Library.

Lake Macbride

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Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District
51 Escort Lane
Iowa City, IA 52240-8612
Phone: 319/337-2322, ext. 3
Fax: 319/351-2997
jcswcd@yahoo.com