Welcome to the CLEAR project.  The CLEAR Project is a community led initiative to improve the water quality of Clear Lake, north central Iowa's most important natural and recreational resource.  In 2001, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources completed a comprehensive water quality analysis of Clear Lake along with a list of suggested restoration alternatives.  For the past several years, the CLEAR Project has been focusing on implementing lake watershed improvements in both agricultural and developed areas. Click here to see a list of recent accomplishments and pictures .

Dredging of Clear Lake and Ventura Marsh Restoration.. 

While installation of conservation practices in the watershed continues, restoration activities in Clear Lake are also now begining.  The groundwork for the Clear Lake dredging project began in 2006 when a large scale effort by local leaders was made to secure a total of $13 million in state, local government, and private funding.  Lake dredging began in the summer of 2008 and will be completed by the fall of 2009 (view the dredging flyer, dredging pictures, and the dredging presentation).  Another vital part to the Clear Lake restoration plan is improving Ventura Marsh.   The primary feature of the Ventura Marsh project is a pumping station that will allow water level control of the marsh to increase vegetation and reduce carp populations.  Construction of the project features is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2009.  The project is a partnership between the IDNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

An opportunity to become involved..