Rathbun Land and Water Alliance members and partners include the following individuals, agencies and organizations:

organizations: Landowners in the Rathbun Lake

Watershed; CoBank; Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships Division of Soil Conservation; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa State
University; Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board; Southern Iowa Development and Conservation Authority; US Army Corps of Engineers; US
Environmental Protection Agency; USDA Farm Service Agency; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas,
Monroe, and Wayne Soil and Water Conservation Districts; Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne Counties; Iowa Farm Bureau at the state
and county levels; and Rathbun Regional Water Association.
September 2013
Dr. Matt Helmers is an Associate Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer in the
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research and
extension focus at Iowa State is in the areas of water quality and water resources management. In
particular, he is studying water quality effects of agricultural best management practices including
strategic placement and design of buffer systems and methods to improve water quality in tile
drained landscapes.

He is active in investigating the impacts of cropping practices, fertilization practices, and
subsurface drainage management practices on drainage water quality. His Extension program is
focused on education of producers and other stakeholders on the impacts of agricultural practices on
water quality and methods to minimize these impacts.
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance
8th Annual Protect Rathbun Lake Meeting
September 12, 2013
Allerton Centennial BuildingAllerton, Iowa
Agenda
WelcomeRathbun Land and Water Alliance President, John Glenn
Protect Rathbun Lake Project ReviewVelvet Buckingham
Landowner RecognitionsRathbun Lake Protectors
Steak SupperAppanoose County Cattlemen
Featured SpeakerDr. Matt Helmers
Door prize
drawings
Fill out and turn in
your evaluation form
for a chance at door
prizes.
1 10
Governor Terry Branstad presents the Iowa Environmental Excellence Award
to RLWA President, John Glenn, RLWA Secretary/Treasurer, Bruce George
and RLWA Director, Ralph Alshouse. Pictured at left are Iowa Department
of Natural Resources Director, Chuck Gipp and Iowa Lieutenant Governor,
Kim Reynolds.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant
Governor Kim Reynolds recognized the Rathbun Land
and Water Alliance for their outstanding contributions
to the environment in a ceremony June 27 at the
Wallace Building.

The Governors Iowa Environmental Excellence Award
is the premier environmental honor in Iowa, recogniz-
ing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowas
natural resources. The prestigious Environmental
Excellence Award honored the Rathbun Land and
Water Alliance with comprehensive environmental
ethics and commitment.
Representing the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance
at the 67th Annual Conservation Districts of Iowa
Commissioners Meeting, John Glenn accepts the
2013 Iowa Outstanding Watershed Award from Jim
Frederick, President of Conservation Districts of
Iowa.
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance receives Governors Environmental Excellence Award
Rathbun Lake Watershed landowners receive the Iowa
Farm Environmental Leader Award
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance
receives the 2013 Iowa Outstanding
Watershed Award
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is a joint effort between
Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders
committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

Pictured with each recipient above is Iowa Department of Natural Resources,
Chuck Gipp, Iowa Secretary Bill Northey, Iowa Governor Branstad and Lt.
Governor Kim Reynolds.
Art and Mary Lemley Mike and Brenda Ryan Lorie and Terry Bear
Betty and Jim Sullivan Kelso Family Swartz Family
Special thanks to the
Appanoose County
Cattlemen who have
prepared and served the
grilled steak supper for
seven of the eight years
the Rathbun Land and
Water Alliance has held
the Protect Rathbun
Lake Annual Meeting.
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliances primary goal is to reduce
sediment and phosphorus delivery to Rathbun Lake.
Rathbun Lake is the water source for Rathbun Regional Water
Association, which provides drinking water to
80,000 people in southern Iowa and northern
Missouri.
8
3
Led by Rathbun Land and Water Alliance Board member,
John Sellers, Congressman Dave Loebsack and
congressional aide, Dien Judge, toured a portion of the
Rathbun Lake Watershed in June, 2013 to view the best
management practices installed through the Protect
Rathbun Lake Project.

Congressman Loebsack was impressed saying, "The
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance is a shining example of
how local, state and federal agencies can work hand in
hand with private landowners to make a real difference.
This group is improving the water quality in Rathbun Lake
and preserving our precious
Iowa topsoil. I look forward
to continuing to work with
the Alliance to foster this
cooperative and assist in any
way I can.
Those participating in the watershed tour include John Glenn, Congressional Aide, Dien Judge,
Congressman Loebsack, John Sellers, Velvet Buckingham, Marty Braster, and Mark Fehseke.
L-R: Lucas County SWCD Commissioners, Arnie Schneider and Rick
McBroom; Lucas County NRCS Secretary, Connie Carpenter; landowner,
Brad Reece, field technician, Jeff Pfeifer; Lucas County SWCD Commissioner
and RLWA Board member, Kevin Luedtke; Ty Luedtke; PRLP Coordinator,
Brian DeMoss; and Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey.
Lucas County SWCD Commissioners, project partners and staff
and landowners visited with Secretary Northey when they visited
the Brad and Cathy Reece farm south of Chariton in August 2013.

The structure built on the Reece farm resulted in a 25 foot deep
pond that covers eight to nine acres of surface water. Reeces were
among the first landowners in Lucas County to be recognized for
their work to protect Rathbun Lake. Their soil saving practices
prevent approximately 800 tons of sediment per year from being
delivered to Rathbun Lake.
L-R: Matt McDonald, IDALS SE Iowa Field Representative; John Glenn,
Rathbun Regional Water Association CEO and RLWA President; James
Martin, IDALS Basin Coordinator; Brandon Dittman, IDALS Field
Representative; Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture; Brian DeMoss,
PRLP Coordinator; Darrell Coddington, landowner; Velvet Buckingham,
PRLP Coordinator; Jamie Carpenter, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist;
Kristy York, NRCS Program Specialist; and Vince Sitzmann, IDALSDSC Field
Services Bureau Chief.
In May, 2013 Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey visited the
Wayne County farms of Dale Spinlers, Jim Cory, Joe Dent,
Grandpa Bob Brown, the late Jimmy Carpenter, and Bills
Enterprises as well as a newly constructed grade stabilization
structure. The structure was built last fall on land jointly owned
by Darrell and Wendy Coddington and Terry and Sharon Jost as
part of the Protect Rathbun Lake Project and was partially funded
by the Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board.

The structure benefits 421 acres and reduces sediment delivery to
Rathbun Lake by 568 tons each year and reduces phosphorous
delivery by 1,306 pounds. Secretary Northey praised the efforts
of those working in the watershed, Its been encouraging to see
everything that is being done to protect our drinking water and
its beginning to grab the attention of the public.
Monitoring water quality at sites in
Rathbun Lake and the lakes tributaries
has been carried out since 1996.
Monitoring is essential to secure
financial resources to assist landowners
with the installation of practices to
protect Rathbun Lake.
Seventeen percent
of the priority land
delivers 73 percent
of the sediment and
phosphorus to
Rathbun Lake.
The primary objective is to apply best management
practices on priority land in targeted sub-
watersheds. The Alliance uses GIS to identify land
in the watershed which is the principal source of
sediment and phosphorus that impairs water
quality in Rathbun Lake called priority land.
The Alliance has determined that the application
of BMPs to address as much as one-half,
approximately 30,000 acres, of this priority land is
an achievable water quality protection objective in
pursuit of the projects goal of
reduci ng sediment and
phosphorus del ivery to
Rathbun Lake and water
bodi es i n t he l ake s
watershed.

Accomplishment of this
objective will reduce annual
sediment and phosphorus
delivery to Rathbun Lake by
an estimated 90,000 tons of
sediment and 360,000 pounds
of phosphorus.
To date, these practices have
prevented close to 40,000 tons of sediment and 170,000 pounds of
phosphorus from being carried in runoff each year to Rathbun Lake
and its tributaries.
5 6
Table 2: Cumulative summary of BMPs installed and load reductions achieved in the 42 targeted sub-watersheds
~ See map below ~
Cumulative (FFY 04 June
30, 2013)
Practice
Units
Installed
Acres Ben-
efited
Gross Erosion
Reduction Tons/Yr.
Sediment Delivery
Reduction Tons/ yr.
Phosphorus Delivery
Reduction Lbs./Yr.
Terraces 1,279,764 ft. 12,276 21,244 22,379 102,868
Water & Sediment Basins 389 no. 1,137 2,128 2,399 9,679
Grade Stabilization Structures 122 no. 3,774 2,315 6,487 24,739
Sediment Basin 12 no. 3,054 851 7,072 23,944
Livestock Exclusion 8 ac. 8 84 32 158
Pasture & Hayland Seeding 1,102 ac. 1,102 4,606 1,645 8,009
Grassed Waterways 44.8 ac. 626 497 510 2,607
CRP buffer / filter strips 20.8 ac. 37.8 46 23 103
Fence 13,022 ft.
Heavy Use Protection Areas 10 no.
Pipeline 3,160 ft.
Tanks 7 no.
Brush Management 280 ac.
Nutrient Management 159.7 ac.
TOTALS 22,015 ac. 31,771 t/y 40,547 t/y 172,107 lbs/y
WIRB and BMP Update
Shown above is the progress of the
Iowa Watershed Improvement Re-
view Board funding. Tables located
on the opposite page summarize
BMPs installed, and load reductions
achieved in the 42 targeted
sub-watersheds.
2010WIRB #6 BMP ProgressOctober 31, 2014
South Fork Chariton River #1, Upper West Jackson Creek, Upper Jackson Creek, Lost Branch, Chariton River #6

Practice Grant Obligation Obligated-Unspent Expended Available Balance
Seeding $6,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $6,000.00
Waterways $2,950.00 $0.00 $3,714.30 -$764.30
Terraces $129,000.00 $0.00 $129,345.98 -$345.98
Debris Basins $250,000.00 $0.00 $64,420.47 $185,579.53
Basins $29,250.00 $0.00 $34,480.53 -$5,230.53
Structures $51,200.00 $0.00 $34,281.21 $16,918.79
Total $468,400.00 $0.00 $266,242.49 $202,157.51
2009WIRB #5 BMP ProgressDecember 31, 2014
Sandy Branch, Goodwater Creek, Hamilton Creek, Chariton River #3, Lower Chariton Creek
Practice Grant Obligation Obligated-Unspent Expended Available Balance
Terraces $100,000.00 $7,769.00 $49,338.69 $42,892.31
Debris Basins $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total $100,000.00 $7,769.00 $49,338.69 $42,892.31

Practice Grant Obligation Obligated-Unspent Expended Available Balance
Seeding $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $5,000.00
Terraces $66,150.00 $0.00 $0.00 $66,150.00
Basins $9,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $9,000.00
Structures $17,640.00 $0.00 $0.00 $17,640.00
Total $97,790.00 $0.00 $0.00 $97,790.00
2012 WIRB #8 BMP ProgressFebruary 28, 2016
Chariton River #5, Chariton River #10, Middle Wolf Creek #2

Practice Grant Obligation Obligated-Unspent Expended Available Balance
Terraces $78,750.00 $0.00 $17,846.25 $60,903.75
Debris Basins $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Grade Stabilization Structures $23,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $23,000.00
Water Sediment Basins $11,250.00 $0.00 $0.00 $11,250.00
Priority Land Conversion $3,750.00 $0.00 $0.00 $3,750.00
Grassed waterways $750.00 $0.00 $0.00 $750.00
Total $117,500.00 $0.00 $17,846.25 $99,653.75
2011 WIRB #7 BMP ProgressFebruary 28, 2017
Upper and Lower Dick Creek, Chariton River #4, Chariton River #8
Exhibits
Rathbun Lake and Pr ot e ct Rat hbun Lake Pr oj e ct
associated information was exhibited at various outlets during the
past year including the Cool Water Fish Workshop, Iowa Farm Bu-
reau Meeting, Iowa Water Conference, and the Annual Utility Day
held at the state capital. Additionally, a presentation was made at
the Annual Cow Calf Conference about the important partnership
between rural water and the livestock industry.
SponsorshipThe Rathbun Land and Water
Alliance sponsored the First Annual Hay Bale Art
Contestan event that was developed to draw
attention to the important role hay and pasture
ground play in the protection of water quality and
soil conservation.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, and
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director,
Chuck Gipp, acted as celebrity judges for last years
contest.

Rathbun Land
and Water
A l l i a n c e
P r e s i d e n t ,
John Glenn,
will serve as a
celebrity judge
for this years
contest along with ISU Dean of Agriculture, Wen-
dy Wintersteen.
7
4
Project Website
A project website located at rlwa.org contains information
about all the activities of the Protect Rathbun Lake Project,
including technical reports, maps, media podcasts, annual
meetings, Rathbun Lake Protectors, Board Briefs
newsletters, and photos.
The Future of Protect Rathbun Lake Efforts
Starting in 2013, the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance and its partners embarked on a new initiative that will set the stage for future
Rathbun Lake protection efforts. Alliance members and partners have committed the leadership, technical expertise, and financial
resources required to develop the Rathbun Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan. Preparation of this plan will involve a significant
increase in water quality monitoring activities, extensive field data collection, and development and application of sophisticated
watershed and water quality models.

These activities will build on, expand, and improve past monitoring, assessment, and planning efforts carried out by the Alliance and
partners. Once completed, the Rathbun Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan will provide the Alliance members and partners with
invaluable information including:

A thorough analysis of water quality conditions in Rathbun Lake and the lakes tributaries as well as an
in-depth assessment of the most important water quality impairments that affect these water bodies;

A detailed evaluation of the impact on water quality in Rathbun Lake and its tributaries of the many best
management practices that have been installed by landowners in the watershed over the past decade; and

Most importantly, specific guidance to the Alliance and its partners that will help determine the most
effective approach to implementing future efforts to protect Rathbun Lake.

The Rathbun Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan will help ensure that resources continue to be available for
activities to protect Rathbun Lake and these activities achieve the Alliances and partners goal of improved
water quality in the lake and its tributaries.
Protect Rathbun Lake Project Partners
Alliance Members and Partners Project Support * Principal Uses of Project Support
NRCS Special and Regular Program Support $4,556,741 BMP cost share. Includes EQIP, AWEP, and NWQI.
NRCS Special WRP 2,440,000 Wetland restoration and easement costs.
IDALS DSC WPF and WSPF 3,082,476 Field staff support and BMP cost share.
EPA/DNR Section 319 Program 3,074,056 Field staff support and BMP cost share.
EPA Targeted Watershed Program 600,000 Field staff support and BMP cost share.
Participating landowners 3,788,194 BMP cost share.
Iowa WIRB 2,327,932 BMP cost share.
RRWA 206,020 Field staff support and BMP cost share.
SWCDs IFIP 49,400 BMP cost share.
ISU 25,500 Value of ISU Extension staff support.
Iowa DNR, ACOE, SIDCA 5,350,000 Shoreline and wetland restoration.
RRWA, Iowa DNR, ISU, SHL, ACOE 765,000 Water quality monitoring program.
RRWA, FarmBureau, CoBank, Iowa DNR, SWCDs, NRCS 240,500 Rathbun Lake Protectors watershed outreach.
Total $26,505,819
* Includes project support since 2004
Media Campaign
Information about the Alliances
Protect Rathbun Lake Project
activities was sent to regional
media outlets in each of the six
Rathbun Lake Watershed
counties.

The project also received multi-
state coverage through WHO
Radios agricultural program,
The Big Show and features in
Wallaces Farmer magazine.
The Alliances Board of Directors consists of 11 members. Seven of these members are appointed for three-year
terms by the Appanoose, Wayne, and Lucas SWCD and Board of Supervisors and Rathbun Regional Water
Association. These seven board members appoint the remaining four at-large board members. The at-large
board members are appointed annually at the board of directors first meeting after the beginning of the
calendar year.
John Glenn, Alliance President, Rathbun Regional Water Association Dennis Smith, Lucas County Board of Supervisors
Kim Francisco, Alliance Vice President, at-large member Kevin Luedtke, Lucas County SWCD
Bruce George, Alliance Secretary/Treasurer, at-large member John Sellers, Wayne County Board of Supervisors
Jody McDanel, Appanoose County Board of Supervisors Ralph Alshouse, at-large director
Chuck Moore, Appanoose County SWCD Jim Sullivan, at-large director
Dennis Ryan, Monroe County Board of Supervisors
Marty Braster
Rathbun Regional Water Association
Environmental Management Specialist
mbraster@rrwa.net
641.647.2416


Velvet Buckingham
IDALS, DSC
Protect Rathbun Lake Project Coordinator
velvet.buckingham@ia.nacdnet.net
641.872.1350


Brian DeMoss
Lucas County SWCD
Environmental Specialist
brian.demoss@ia.usda.gov
641.774.2512
Tyler Jacobsen
Rathbun Regional Water Association
GIS Specialist
tjacobsen@rrwa.net
641.647.2416


Jeff Pfeifer
IDALS, DSC
Protect Rathbun Lake Project Technician
jeff.pfeifer@ia.nacdnet.net
641.774.2512
The Rathbun Land and Water Alliance created the Rathbun Lake Protectors Program eight years ago to encourage
and recognize the actions by individuals or groups to protect Rathbun Lake. Each year, the Alliance invites our
local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to nominate individuals in the Rathbun Lake Watershed to be
recognized for their contributions to the protection of Rathbun Lake. These individuals have been willing to try
new approaches to water quality improvement and their nominations were based on past efforts as well as present
and planned actions to protect water quality.

Nearly two dozen Rathbun Lake Protectors have been featured in either
Wallaces Farmer magazine or have been interviewed for WHO Radios, The Big
Show.

Signs that identify landowners who have been selected as Rathbun Lake
Protectors continue to be installed throughout the Rathbun Lake Watershed like
the one picture at the right on the Arthur and Mary Lemley farm in Appanoose County. Plaques
noting the names of these landowners are also displayed in each Soil and Water Conservation
District office.
2 9
Appanoose and Monroe Margaret Cope
ClarkeDennis Schrodt
DecaturKevin Reynolds
Lucas and WayneMark Fehseke
Appanoose County
Clarkes and Jean Argo
Paul and Suzanne Turner
Chuck and Connie Moore
Daryl and Karen Tisue
Rob and Betty Rae Potts
Dale and Barbara Sievers

Clarke County
Jim and Betty Sullivan
Steve and Dody Osgood
Mike and Tracy Shay
Terry and Lorie Bear
Bob Trisler
2012 Rathbun Lake Protectors pictured L-R:
Appanoose County, Mary and Arthur Lemley; Clarke
County, Kenlyn Kelso; Decatur County, Judd Dent;
Monroe County, Norman Vote and Mike and Brenda
Ryan; Lucas County, Adam and Sara Curran; Wayne
County, Grandpa Brown represented by family
members, Troy and Mike Brown; and Rathbun Land
and Water Alliance President, John Glenn.
Honorary Rathbun Lake Protectors
Ubbo Agena Lyle Asell
Doug Bahl Bill Duey
Decatur County
Jeff Sullivan
Jim and Betty Sullivan
Joe and Joanie Boggs
Dick and Connie Hines
Norman and Judy Jenkins
Rick and Joy Jackson
DAN-D-ACRESS II
Wayne County
Jim and Betty Carpenter
Warren Holder
Dorothy Conner
Jim and Marlene Carlisle
Jim and Barb Cory
Ron and Darla Main
Austin Bennett
Glen and Linda Holm
Lowell and Merilynn Frame
Gerald and Geraldine Becker
Brian and Lisa Moore
Lucas County
Mark Batchelder
Hunter Brothers, Mike and Nick
Brad and Cathy Reece
Randy and Sandy Swartz
Travis and Anne Swartz
Dwaine and Twyla Evans
Rick and Kathy Schlutz
Marshall and Julie Schlutz
W.B. Smith Family
Martha Shanks
Jeff and Jayne Miller