Funded Project

2018 | Boone River Watershed

FY18 | Restoring Habitat, Improving Water

Location: Boone River Watershed, Iowa (Wright County)
Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Iowa DNR, Iowa State University, Iowa Soybean Association, Wright County SWCD
Project Lead: Karen Wilke, The Nature Conservancy 

Oxbow Restoration & Conservation Outreach Project 

This project restored two large oxbows in the Boone River Watershed: 

  1. Mrazek South Oxbow (Otter Creek) – Restored in May 2019, this site created 2.6 acres of aquatic habitat. It was excavated into four 500-foot pools, planted with native vegetation, and is estimated to remove 42% of incoming nitrates from tile drainage.
  2. Fish surveys in 2019 and 2020 recorded over 59,000 fish representing 19 species, including 1,766 Topeka shiners.
  3. Steven Voss Oxbow (Eagle Creek) – Restored in April 2020, this oxbow created 0.7 acres of habitat. Post-restoration surveys found 553 fish from 13 species, including species of conservation concern. 

Both sites were designed to intercept tile water, improve water quality, and provide critical habitat for the federally endangered Topeka shiner. 

Project Outcomes

The FY18 project significantly advanced conservation in the Boone River Watershed: 

  • Restored 2 large oxbows, equivalent to 3.3 acres of aquatic habitat. 
  • Conducted 19 fish surveys, far exceeding the original goal of 2. 
  • Confirmed Topeka shiner presence in both restored sites, with the Mrazek South Oxbow supporting one of the highest known populations in the watershed. 
  • Improved water quality, with both oxbows estimated to reduce nitrate levels by 42%. 
  • Expanded the watershed’s total to 32 restored oxbows, creating over 16 acres of aquatic habitat. 
  • Identified over 400 additional potential restoration sites, ensuring continued momentum. 

These outcomes supported the goals of the Mississippi River Basin Initiative, Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and the recovery of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. 

Outreach & Engagement

  • 2 field days were hosted, including one at the ISU Research Farm and a Conservation Coffee event, reaching nearly 90 attendees. 
  • 2 newsletters were mailed to over 650 local landowners and stakeholders. 
  • 29 potential oxbow sites were assessed for future restoration. 
  • Outreach was amplified through social media, local NRCS offices, and the Boone River Watershed website. 

 

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