Iowa has officially closed its last remaining agricultural drainage wells (ADWs), capping off more than 25 years of dedicated efforts to shutter 195 such structures statewide.

On Nov. 19, representatives from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Humboldt County Soil and Water Conservation District, Humboldt County Conservation, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and Iowa Agricultural Mitigation gathered at the residence of David and Gabrielle Telford near Gilmore City. They celebrated the completion of a new wetland construction project and reflected on the decades-long mission to close the wells.

“The closure of Iowa’s ag drainage wells represents a significant milestone in our efforts to improve Iowa’s water quality,” said Naig. “Improving...