What is the Ames Smart Watershed Program?

The Public Works Department coordinates a stormwater program in cooperation with other City departments and local partners. This program emphasizes stormwater and watershed education and outreach, watershed projects that include installation of practices to improve water quality in Ames, municipal pollution prevention and promotion of stormwater best management practices. It also engages the community to make changes in behavior that will improve water quality.

Why are Clean Rivers, Streams and Lakes Important?  All stormwater in Ames moves across the land surface and discharges to a low point in the landscape. For most of Ames, that is a local stream.

How can you participate?

REBATE PROGRAM Install a stormwater practice to reduce runoff and improve stormwater management on your property.

Bird and Pollinator Friendly Community Increase desirable habitat and food sources for birds and pollinators on your property

Ames 24 on 24 Litter Pickup Campaign Pick up litter monthly

Annual Stream Cleanup Participate in the annual stream cleanup with the City and partners

Volunteer with City of Ames Park and Recreation to help maintain the City’s parks

Get involved with a local watershed group:

• Friends of Emma McCarthy Lee Park and Munn Woods

• Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park

• Friends of Brookside Park
  

• South Skunk River Watershed

  • Headwaters of the South Skunk River

  • Headwaters of the South Skunk River Management Plan
    

  • Story County- South Skunk River Water Trail Map
    

• Ioway Creek Watershed

  • Ioway Creek Watershed Coalition

  • Ioway Creek Watershed Management Authority
    

  • Ioway Creek Watershed Management Plan

Other things you can do to protect our waterways:

• Do not dump anything down the storm drain. Watch this video: Oil Changes

• If you smoke properly dispose of your cigarette butt in either a portable ash tray or one the public receptacles on Main Street Map and Welch Avenue
• Pick up your pet's waste.
• Lawn Care: Watch this video for lawn care tips.
• Wash your car on your lawn or take it to a commercial car wash. Car Wash
• Use the appropriate amount and type of deicer. Salt and Deicing Guide
• Do you live along a stream or pond?  Review this guide for water protection tips
• More Resources:
  • Ames Bird Friendly Community Resources
  • Iowa Stormwater Education Program
  • What is a "Rainscape"?
  • EPA Green Infrastructure
  • 2018 Story County Watershed Assessment

THE WATERSHEDS OF AMES 

The land area that drains to a waterbody is called a watershed. We all live in a watershed and how we improve and manage our properties have an impact on our stream and lake water quality.

• Overall Watershed Map
• South Skunk River
• Ioway Creek
• Clear Creek
• Onion Creek
• Worrell Creek
• College Creek

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