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Supervisors approve two water-quality wetlands projects to treat nitrates in drainage district areas
Summary
The board approved two wetland projects designed to reduce nitrate loads by intercepting tile drainage; projects are funded through IDALS and require permanent easements from participating landowners.
KOSSUTH COUNTY, Iowa — The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on May 20 to approve two county water‑quality wetland projects designed to reduce nitrate concentrations by routing tile drainage through constructed or tile‑zone wetlands.
An Iowa Department of Agriculture–supported design team presented two projects: a tile‑zone wetland that will intercept an existing tile and route flow by gravity into a pothole wetland (Volney design), and a second wetland designed by Ducks Unlimited that will use a pump (solar‑powered) and a bypass tile so drainage will still function if the pump is offline.
The presenter explained that shallow wetland–soil interfaces support microorganisms that can denitrify incoming water, citing Iowa State research that shows potential nitrate reductions ranging from 40% to 90% depending on site factors. Landowners entering the projects will sign permanent easements and the projects are funded through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) (stated as percent‑funded by IDALS in the presentation), so there is no direct cost to drainage‑district landowners for construction.
One project involves filling a pothole and rerouting tile; the other includes building an embankment and water-control structure with some surface-water inputs. The presenter said designs must meet NRCS standards and cannot negatively affect downstream drainage. County engineer/staff said approvals are contingent on final easement execution and that construction will proceed after those steps are completed.
Board action: Motion by Stecker; second by Garmin to approve proceeding with the projects as trustees of the drainage districts. Outcome: motion carried, unanimous.
Why it matters: These projects are intended to reduce nitrate loads entering downstream waters and are part of state-funded efforts to improve water quality. They also illustrate the interplay among landowner easements, drainage-district engineering, and state grant funding.
