The City of Perry, located within the Des Moines River watershed, has faced several localized flooding events and is classified as a Category 4 Impaired Waterbody by the Iowa DNR. To address these issues, city leaders partnered with Bolton & Menk to leverage their SRF Clean Water loan and an IDALS WQI grant for non-point source improvement projects. Bolton & Menk conducted a detailed watershed plan, funded by an IDALS Planning and Development Grant, identifying six priority projects, including a stormwater wetland near Highway 141 and Iowa Street. After securing funding, Bolton & Menk began preliminary design, proposing a 12-acre stormwater wetland split into two pools due to land constraints. The project also includes a paved maintenance path, which can also be used as a recreational trail, parking lot, and space for future park amenities. Construction occurred throughout 2024, with winter dormant native vegetation seeding in the fall and additional plugs planted this Spring. The project aims to improve drainage, enhance water quality, and reduce localized flooding, while also creating a new city park in a part of the community which had been identified as an area underserved by parks amenities through previous planning efforts. The watershed plan has proven beneficial, leading to real-world results and the implementation of water quality improvement projects. Attendees will learn how the city used funding and strategic planning to implement a stormwater wetland project aimed at improving water quality, enhancing drainage, and reducing localized flooding, while also providing a recreation amenity for the community.

• Matt Ferrier
• Sven Peterson