City: Burlington Street Dam Project Offers Significant Improvements on Iowa River

Iowa City officials say a project that could bring recreational opportunities to the Iowa River, such as whitewater rafting and boating, would also provide much needed improvement to water quality, fish habitat and river stabilization.

In 2007, the Iowa River was listed as one of the most endangered rivers in the country, and today water quality remains concerning.

At this point, the concept is to , which according to city officials would make the low-head or roller dam safer, and would also create a rapids affect that would support recreation.

The project would integrate this portion of the Iowa River into the Iowa River Water Trail as well as Iowa City's revitalization project on the south side of downtown, which is to include a riverfront park.

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Iowa City a $60,000 Urban Waters Program grant to plan and design the project, which would be centered at the Burlington Street Dam.

The city is planning a public information and input meeting at an unspecified date later this year. The planning and design study would likely get underway next summer.

Follow this link to read more about this on the Iowa City website.