In August 2024, Iowa Coldwater Conservancy provided $5,000 in funding to support a stream restoration project on Catfish Creek at the New Melleray Abbey in Dubuque County. The project centered around the installation of beaver analog structures—log-and-branch features designed to mimic the ecological benefits of natural beaver dams.
Beaver analogs slow the flow of water, helping reconnect the stream with its floodplain and raise the local water table. Over time, these structures create cooler, deeper pools, trap sediment, reduce erosion, and support native vegetation along the banks. The result is a more resilient stream system and improved habitat for coldwater species like trout.
By backing projects like this one, ICC is helping restore natural stream function in Iowa’s coldwater watersheds. We’re excited to follow the progress at Catfish Creek in the months ahead and look forward to the long-term impact this work will have on water quality and wildlife habitat.
