Iowa Driftless Water Defenders

Iowa Driftless Water Defenders is a non-profit organization based in NE Iowa. Our mission is to preserve and protect the water quality in Iowa.

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

Hear from Mike Carberry @ Lake Macbride!
"We need that system to change...to where we start to care about our water quality and we start to care about our people." - Mike Carberry

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“It’s time to give a crap, about the crap that is in our water.” - Julie Duhn

Interested in getting involved in the #48Lakes Initiative? Or know someone who would be? Sign up at https://t.co/t8RlzO0zYK

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“Iowa’s lakes have been deteriorating in recent years as farm operators have adopted practices of industrial agriculture. Iowans have a fundamental right to access clean water that is being violated. It's time to reclaim that right.” -Jim Larew
#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

💧Driftless Water Defenders First Annual Meeting Highlights 2025!

Watch on Youtube or Listen on Spotify!

https://t.co/lqx5xHwBKW  https://t.co/mskLMub1g6

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

July 4th Weekend we encourage you to visit a lake. While you’re there, capture photos or videos of your experience. Share them with your stories about how lake usage has changed due to deteriorating water quality

Learn more at https://t.co/t8RlzO0zYK

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“78% of the time Lake Darling has had advisories against swimming because of high E.coli or Microcystin levels.” - Diane @ Lake Darling

Interested in getting involved in the #48Lakes Initiative? Sign up at https://t.co/t8RlzO0zYK

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

"The elephant in the room is that we've been practicing industrial agriculture and we've had a government that was been subservient to big agriculture and they've been allowed to do whatever they want"

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

https://t.co/PoyVBgMKWK

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

SWIMMING ADVISORY!

Swimming is not recommended at 9 beaches due to high E. coli levels.

Know anyone near these beaches? Invite them in to the #48Lakes Initiative! It's time to reclaim our lakes.

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

https://t.co/a2G7Kqs7IS

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

From packed beaches to warning signs — What changed at Backbone Lake?

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

48 Lakes is a Driftless Water Defenders'Initiative, with help from Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Food & Water Watch Iowa, and volunteer reporters all over Iowa.

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“I wish there was something we could do to make it better”

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

48 Lakes is a Driftless Water Initiative, with help from Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Food & Water Watch Iowa, and volunteer reporters all over Iowa.

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

WATER: A WEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

48 Lakes is a Driftless Water Defenders Initiative, with help from Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Food & Water Watch Iowa, and volunteer reporters all over Iowa.

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“I HAVE TO SPEAK UP” - Joe Ulman @ Lake Okoboji

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

48 Lakes is a Driftless Water Initiative, with help from Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Food & Water Watch Iowa, and volunteer reporters all over Iowa.

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

Driftless Water Defender Annual Meeting!

Who: You and other Clean Water Advocates

When: Saturday June 21st at 1:00 pm

Where: Decorah Lutheran Church (309 Winnebago St, Decorah, IA 52101)

Please RSVP through our website at: https://t.co/7DiAhSSezl

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

❗️ WATER WATCH❗️
Lake Maniwa is one of 5 beaches with an E. Coli advisory the week of 6/6/2025
https://t.co/HGdIKtib2x

Lake Manawa Beach has been closed multiple times in the last several years due to various factors, primarily due to water quality issues

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

Iowa's Lakes Are in Trouble - and We Need Your Voice

Read the article below and share your story!

Let’s make sure clean, safe water is a right for every Iowan.
#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

https://t.co/4tpeUtpCca

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“I tested the water right below Red Rock Dam for nitrates. The results were so ghastly I tested twice to be certain I hadn’t done something wrong,” writes AJ Jones of her visit to Lake Red Rock in Marion County.

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

https://t.co/PRLkwF8I8m

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

Hear Jessica and her family share their experiences at Beeds Lake! Our lakes deserve better. We deserve better.
#48Lakes #NoSwimEra
@ProgressIowa @iowacci @FWWMidwest

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

It was a nice spring day on a holiday weekend. We should be able to enjoy the water without worry. At Lake Ahquabi in Warren County, Bob Mulqueen talks to a young couple about their impressions of water quality.

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

“People used to go to the lake to feel fresh. Now they feel dirty when they come out of the lake.” -Phil Montag

#48Lakes #NoSwimEra

48 Lakes is a Driftless Water Initiative, with help from Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, and Food & Water Watch Iowa

[Iowa Driftless Water Defenders @IAWaterDefender]

Hear from Mary Ellen Miller at Nine Eagles State Park. #48Lakes #NoSwimEra