AMES, Iowa—Landowners interested in restoring oxbows on their property can consult guidance from a new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Oxbow Restoration: A Guide for Landowners” is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store and provides practical guidance on the benefits of oxbow restoration, the restoration process and timeline, costs and funding opportunities, as well as additional resources available to help landowners get started.
Restoring an oxbow can deliver multiple environmental and agricultural benefits, including improved soil fertility. According to the publication, organic material excavated during restoration can be spread on adjacent fields to enhance soil quality. Additional benefits include flood reduction, an added water source for livestock and recreational opportunities such as fishing and birdwatching.
Catherine DeLong, water quality program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach and publication co-author, noted that oxbows can also can also play an important role in water quality improvement.
“Restored oxbows also serve as wetlands by removing nitrate, especially when drainage tiles empty into the oxbow,” she said.
The publication outlines private nonprofit, state and federal funding opportunities available to landowners. In many cases, funding sources can cover 50–100% of the cost, and some programs can be paired.
This publication is a collaborative effort among ISU Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and The Nature Conservancy. For more information or to learn more, visit the ISU Extension Store or contact DeLong at crdelong@iastate.edu.
(contributed press release, ISUANR)
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