Iowa's Water
Iowa's poor water quality hampers the state's once thriving fishing industry. Silt, farm chemicals, manure and treated sewage in Iowa's rivers and streams hold back fish populations by making it difficult for some game fish to reproduce.
The state spends $2.5 million stocking more than 140 million game fish in Iowa streams every year to improve fishing. But it may be losing even more money than that in tourism revenue. More than half a million anglers spent $336 million in Iowa in 2001. A figure that is significantly lower than some of the neighboring states. Fishing-license sales are down in Iowa. On the other hand, the popularity of the state's clear-running northeastern trout streams show the potential for a bigger draw.
So does the 10-fold increase in attendance at Lake Ahquabi near Indianola, after that lake was restored.
Meetings are happening throughout the spring and around the state for peoople who want to learn more or help out.Follow the link to find out more.
March 6, 2006 6:40 AM | Category: Cleanup