Paint Creek: A multi-phase project
In 2022, the Trout Program received a State Land Grant to improve water quality in Paint Creek. The grant provided $120,425 to be used for stream bank reshaping along 1,870 ft of stream. The Driftless Flyathlon provided a $21,000 match while the Friends of the Yellow River Forest provided $40,000 in project support for the State Lands grant allowing to move forward with the estimated $181,425 project.
Paint Creek – Phase 1 will reshape and stabilize banks at three locations along a busy multi use recreational trail.
Paint Creek – Phase 2: In December 2023, Iowa Trout Program staff applied for a State Land Water Quality Grant to continue water quality improvements along Paint Creek. Phase 2 work will include improvements to the stream segment downstream of the Phase 1 site, extending to Donahue Road. During Phase 2 work, streambanks will be reshaped and stabilized while improving habitat along 1,450 ft of Paint Creek (upstream of Donahue Road) at an estimated cost of $200,000.
The Driftless Flyathlon has pledged $21,000 to help move this project forward. Completion of the project is expected in 2025 or 2026.
Casey Springs habitat improvements
Casey Springs is a small stream west of Decorah that supports a restored population of wild, native Brook Trout and wild Brown Trout. Work is underway to improve habitat in this small stream to benefit Brook Trout. See video here. The Driftless Flyathlon donated $5000 in December of 2023 to help complete this project.
Little Paint Project
After the 2019 Driftless Flyathlon, Michael Siepker of the Iowa DNR presented us with an idea for a watershed improvement project on Little Paint Creek in Yellow River State Forest. It’s a unique coldwater fishery that contains a population of South Pine-strain Brook Trout and is one of only nine restored self-sustaining populations in the state. Little Paint Creek is also subject to regular flooding which has eroded the streambank and contributed to sediment pollution.
The Little Paint Project brings together Iowa DNR State Parks, Forests and Preserves, Fisheries, and Watershed Improvement Program staff to administer a State Land Water Quality Grant supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal, to improve water quality in Little Paint Creek, will be accomplished by reducing streambank failure rates, establishing native vegetation along the stream, and reconnecting the steam to the floodplain. As a result, nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution at this site will be reduced, improving water quality and habitat conditions in this stream that supports a diverse trout fishery. Outcomes will include reducing flood damage to streambanks, and creating a valuable demonstration regarding nonpoint source pollution and effective management strategies for pollution control along coldwater stream corridors. Public access to the stream will be also improved as a result of this project.
The detailed plan was to:
Funding for this project came from a $55,000 Iowa DNR State Land Water Quality Grant administered by the Iowa DNR's Watershed Improvement program with EPA Section 319 funding, with additional grant match provided by The Driftless Flyathlon, and other conservation groups. The Iowa DNR will also provide at least $12,768 of in-kind support for the project.
The Driftless Flyathlon alone was able to donate $25,000, $4,000 of which came as a donation from Big Grove Brewery from taproom sales of their Wade Wisely Oatmeal Stout, the beer they generously brewed and canned for our event, with can artwork by Driftless Flyathlete, Brain Ingram.
The project was completed in June of 2022.
2023 Video highlighting the Little Paint Project
In 2022, the Trout Program received a State Land Grant to improve water quality in Paint Creek. The grant provided $120,425 to be used for stream bank reshaping along 1,870 ft of stream. The Driftless Flyathlon provided a $21,000 match while the Friends of the Yellow River Forest provided $40,000 in project support for the State Lands grant allowing to move forward with the estimated $181,425 project.
Paint Creek – Phase 1 will reshape and stabilize banks at three locations along a busy multi use recreational trail.
Paint Creek – Phase 2: In December 2023, Iowa Trout Program staff applied for a State Land Water Quality Grant to continue water quality improvements along Paint Creek. Phase 2 work will include improvements to the stream segment downstream of the Phase 1 site, extending to Donahue Road. During Phase 2 work, streambanks will be reshaped and stabilized while improving habitat along 1,450 ft of Paint Creek (upstream of Donahue Road) at an estimated cost of $200,000.
The Driftless Flyathlon has pledged $21,000 to help move this project forward. Completion of the project is expected in 2025 or 2026.
Casey Springs habitat improvements
Casey Springs is a small stream west of Decorah that supports a restored population of wild, native Brook Trout and wild Brown Trout. Work is underway to improve habitat in this small stream to benefit Brook Trout. See video here. The Driftless Flyathlon donated $5000 in December of 2023 to help complete this project.
Little Paint Project
After the 2019 Driftless Flyathlon, Michael Siepker of the Iowa DNR presented us with an idea for a watershed improvement project on Little Paint Creek in Yellow River State Forest. It’s a unique coldwater fishery that contains a population of South Pine-strain Brook Trout and is one of only nine restored self-sustaining populations in the state. Little Paint Creek is also subject to regular flooding which has eroded the streambank and contributed to sediment pollution.
The Little Paint Project brings together Iowa DNR State Parks, Forests and Preserves, Fisheries, and Watershed Improvement Program staff to administer a State Land Water Quality Grant supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal, to improve water quality in Little Paint Creek, will be accomplished by reducing streambank failure rates, establishing native vegetation along the stream, and reconnecting the steam to the floodplain. As a result, nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution at this site will be reduced, improving water quality and habitat conditions in this stream that supports a diverse trout fishery. Outcomes will include reducing flood damage to streambanks, and creating a valuable demonstration regarding nonpoint source pollution and effective management strategies for pollution control along coldwater stream corridors. Public access to the stream will be also improved as a result of this project.
The detailed plan was to:
- stabilize 1,439 feet of failing streambank with rock riprap up to bankfull height per NRCS specifications; the rock riprap will be keyed into the stream bottom to prevent failures -create a bankfull bench at least 10 feet wide along each segment
- use bank slopes of 4:1 or flatter to connect the bankfull flood bench to existing floodplain -seed with native prairie grasses and forbs once construction is finished and then cover with erosion control matting or straw mulch
- create educational signage about the project for the public
Funding for this project came from a $55,000 Iowa DNR State Land Water Quality Grant administered by the Iowa DNR's Watershed Improvement program with EPA Section 319 funding, with additional grant match provided by The Driftless Flyathlon, and other conservation groups. The Iowa DNR will also provide at least $12,768 of in-kind support for the project.
The Driftless Flyathlon alone was able to donate $25,000, $4,000 of which came as a donation from Big Grove Brewery from taproom sales of their Wade Wisely Oatmeal Stout, the beer they generously brewed and canned for our event, with can artwork by Driftless Flyathlete, Brain Ingram.
The project was completed in June of 2022.
2023 Video highlighting the Little Paint Project
Hosting the Fly Fishing Film Tour in Iowa
We first hosted the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) in 2018 as a means to fundraise and build our community in Iowa. Big Grove, one of our great partners and sponsors, has graciously allowed us to host the event at their brewery each year. The shows have led to around $2000 in revenue for our projects each year.
Kiosk installed at Yellow River State Forest
Among one of the first projects that the Driftless Flyathlon financially aided was a new informational kiosk near park headquarters in Yellow River State Forest. The kiosk, built in a timber frame design by the park staff, features four large panels with park information including hiking trails, maps, and the fish species, including the native brook trout found in Little Paint creek. Driftless Flyathlon organizers Ryan and Amanda Rahmiller (and son Henry) as well as Clint and Angela Johnson got to help stain this beautiful new addition in September of 2019.
New gravel for the Yellow River Forest Trail
After our inaugural event in 2017 we sought out projects that would have an immediate impact within Yellow River State Forest. One such project was helping to fund new gravel for the Yellow River Forest Trail. Devastating floods in YRSF left the trail in disrepair and had washed out a great deal of the previous gravel. The trail provides angler access to Big Paint Creek and a route for equestrian, hiking, and mountain biking in the State Forest. It also is part of the Driftless Flyathlon race course!
Bloody Run
Bloody Run is a small stream in Clayton County, IA just outside of Marquette. In 2019, a 165 acre parcel of privately owned land adjacent to the Bloody Run Wildlife Management Area became available for purchase. The Iowa DNR solicited a variety of financial assistance from groups in Iowa, including the Driftless Flyathlon. With enabling anglers access to public water being a goal of the Flyathlon, we eagerly donated $5,000 to the cause. The land was transferred in early summer of 2020 and stands as another example of the collaboration of groups coming together for a good cause in Iowa and the generous fundraising efforts of our Driftless Flyathletes.
We first hosted the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) in 2018 as a means to fundraise and build our community in Iowa. Big Grove, one of our great partners and sponsors, has graciously allowed us to host the event at their brewery each year. The shows have led to around $2000 in revenue for our projects each year.
Kiosk installed at Yellow River State Forest
Among one of the first projects that the Driftless Flyathlon financially aided was a new informational kiosk near park headquarters in Yellow River State Forest. The kiosk, built in a timber frame design by the park staff, features four large panels with park information including hiking trails, maps, and the fish species, including the native brook trout found in Little Paint creek. Driftless Flyathlon organizers Ryan and Amanda Rahmiller (and son Henry) as well as Clint and Angela Johnson got to help stain this beautiful new addition in September of 2019.
New gravel for the Yellow River Forest Trail
After our inaugural event in 2017 we sought out projects that would have an immediate impact within Yellow River State Forest. One such project was helping to fund new gravel for the Yellow River Forest Trail. Devastating floods in YRSF left the trail in disrepair and had washed out a great deal of the previous gravel. The trail provides angler access to Big Paint Creek and a route for equestrian, hiking, and mountain biking in the State Forest. It also is part of the Driftless Flyathlon race course!
Bloody Run
Bloody Run is a small stream in Clayton County, IA just outside of Marquette. In 2019, a 165 acre parcel of privately owned land adjacent to the Bloody Run Wildlife Management Area became available for purchase. The Iowa DNR solicited a variety of financial assistance from groups in Iowa, including the Driftless Flyathlon. With enabling anglers access to public water being a goal of the Flyathlon, we eagerly donated $5,000 to the cause. The land was transferred in early summer of 2020 and stands as another example of the collaboration of groups coming together for a good cause in Iowa and the generous fundraising efforts of our Driftless Flyathletes.