U.S. Fish & Wildlife Highlights Success Of Black Hawk Lake Restoration Programs

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is highlighting the success of long-term efforts to restore areas in Sac County throughout the Black Hawk Lake Watershed and Wildlife Management Area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have invested more than $80,000 allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act o of 2022 to maintain this public resource. The Black Hawk Wildlife Management Area features the 760-acre Black Hawk Lake and the 160-acre State Marsh. This area is beloved by boaters, anglers, hunters, and birders. Importantly, it filters nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, preventing unhealthy algal blooms in Black Hawk Lake. The dike is part of the Sauk Rail Trail, a 33-mile path popular for hiking and biking. These efforts enhance Black Hawk Lake as a recreational hotspot and support community events like Water Carnival and the Stone Pier concert series. The area also provides habitat for endangered species like Blanding’s turtles and northern harriers. Further improvements include restoring oxbows along Carnarvon Creek with help from the EPA’s Section 319 Grant Program.