Agricultural Resource Management

 

The District can assist you with any resource concern: soil, water, air, plants, or animals.

Our local (Polk SWCD), state (Iowa Department of Agricultural and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation) and federal (Natural Resources Conservation Service) staff provide free technical assistance in protecting these resources and can also assist with applications for funding assistance.


Best Management Practices (BMPs)

All technical assistance follows the USDA-NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Specifications for practices. It is recommended that your contractor follow these specifications. For more information on a specific practice, you can view the Iowa Conservation Practice Standards.

 

 

Commonly installed BMPs:

Grade Stabilization Structure
Control Basins
Terraces
Conservation Cover
Grassed Waterway
Wetlands
Wildlife Habitat
Prescribed/Managed Grazing
Streambank Stabilization
Filter Strips
Contour Buffer Strips
Farmstead Windbreaks
Nutrient Management
Pest Management
Residue Management

Streambank and Shoreline Stabilization

Overview

 

Grass, riprap and/or gabions are installed along the edges of a stream to buffer the banks from heavy stream flow and reduce erosion. Fencing prevents cattle from trampling banks, destroying vegetation and stirring up sediment in the streambed. A buffer zone of vegetation along the streambank filters runoff and may also absorb excess nutrients and chemicals.

  • Streambanks are covered with rocks, grass, trees or other cover to reduce erosion.
  • Better water quality results from reducing amounts of nutrients, chemicals, animal waste and sediment entering the stream.
  • Buffer zones provide cover and habitat for birds and small animals.


Project Highlights


Photos