The Skunk River Basin extends southeasterly from central Iowa to the Mississippi River. The Skunk River drains about 95 percent of the 4,595 square miles in this basin. The river flows through a shallow valley, except for the reach in Henry County where the river enters a narrow steep-walled valley with many rock outcrops. About 30 percent of the population is in the two largest cities, Ames and Burlington. Newton, Fairfield, Oskaloosa, Mount Pleasant, and Washington are other larger communities in the basin. Total basin population was 222,000 in 1960, of which 76 percent was urban. The urban population is expected to increase to 96 percent of the estimated 545,000 population in 2020. This basin contains 2.9 million acres of land and 13,000 acres of water surface. The use of water is expected to increase markedly as the rising population creates larger municipal and industrial demands. Problems and needs in the basin comprise of water quality, flood damage, limited recreational opportunities and preservation of the environment. The Iowa Conservation Commission has designated a 50-mile reach of the lower Skunk River as having scenic potential.Existing water resource developments include channel improvements and agricultural levees.
Ames Lake would be located on Skunk River in Story County about five river miles upstream from the city of Ames. The lake would cover about 5,000 acres at full pool elevation and would extend about nine miles above the dam. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1965 and would be operated for flood control, water quality control, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. Local interests would be required to reimburse the federal government for one-half of the separable first costs allocated to recreation and to fish and wildlife enhancement. Estimated federal cost is $21,900,000 based on July 1973 price levels.The project was classified inactive on June 20, 1974, because of general opposition to the project by the state of Iowa. Due to renewed state and local interest, the Ames Lake project was reclassified from inactive to active. Funds were appropriated by Congress to initiate a reevaluation report in fiscal year 1985. Water resource problems and needs continue to affect the Skunk River Basin. Water supply needs and low flow augmentation are particular needs in the Ames area, while flooding continues to be a problem throughout the basin area. The reevaluation study of the Upper Skunk River basin associated with this reactivation reviewed the feasibility of the previously authorized project and evaluated alternative plans which would serve the authorized purposes of flood control, low flow augmentation, and water based recreation. The study was directed toward current needs, including water supply for the Ames area. The authorized project was reviewed and was determined not to be feasible with a benefit to cost ratio of 0.71.Alternatives to the authorized project include: smaller reservoir, levee protection, Soil and Conservation Service practices, nonstructural alternatives, and channel modifications. A downscaled Ames Reservoir with a full flood pool covering 3,600 acres was determined to be the most viable alternative with an estimated cost of $42 million and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.21. Under current cost-sharing guidelines, the estimated non-federal cost is $18 million. The state of Iowa and the city of Ames have stated they will not support, cost share, or sponsor such a project. In March 1988, the study was placed in an inactive status due to lack of local support. No further federal interest exists at this time.
A reconnaissance study was initiated in January 1992. The study investigated flood damage reduction measures for a residential and county fairgrounds area in Nevada. None of the measures were economically justified. The negative report was completed and North Central Division concurred on Aug. 21, 1992.
A reconnaissance study was initiated in January 1992 to investigate flood damages to residential and commercial properties. The negative report was completed and North Central Division concurred on Nov. 16, 1992.
Section 208 of the Flood Control Act of 1954 authorizes the Corps of Engineers to spend up to $250,000 on any single tributary during any one fiscal year for removal of accumulated snags and other debris, and for the clearing and straightening of stream channels. This is done when, in the opinion of the chief of engineers, such work is definitely in the interest of flood control.
In 1969 and 1970, a new channel about 1,000 feet in length was cut for the Skunk River in Steady Run Township, Keokuk County, to by-pass a reach obstructed by drift and debris. Federal cost was $40,195.
In 1992, another Section 208 study was completed for a log jam located between Hayesville and Martinsburg in Keokuk County. The project lacked economic feasibility, and the study was terminated.