Three cities in Washington County are seeking financial help from the state Department of Natural Resources to finance a study of the English River watershed. According to Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, the assessment would determine ways to reduce soil loss, stabilize river banks, improve water quality, and reduce the impact of flooding events in Kalona, Wellman and Riverside.

Schlabaugh says to finance the $221,000 project, a $75,000 grant application is being submitted to the DNR. To improve their chances, the Washington County Board of Supervisors signed a letter of support at their meeting this week. He adds there will be in kind labor from Kalona city staff, and the Iowa Flood Center has agreed to provide an in kind donation worth $110,000 for the study.

If the cities receive the funding, the project would start no earlier than January 2015. The assessment would expand on a comprehensive study already being conducted by the English River Watershed Management Authority.