2024 - Sunnyside Creek Watershed
Water Quality Wet Pond - Waterloo

Project Partners

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources

• Iowa Finance Authority

• Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District

• Galactic Development Corporation

• AECOM

Grant award: $400,000 - WQI  

Total project: $2,300,000        

Applicant/Partner Contributions: : $2,700,000

Summary
Waterloo constructed a 6-acre wet pond and an adjoining wetland within the Sunnyside Creek watershed. The project treats runoff from 375 acres of agricultural and future development areas. The pond uses a multistage outlet to control the flow from various storm events and provides wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities for Waterloo residents.

Description
Sunnyside Creek flows to Black Hawk Creek and the Cedar River.  The project watershed consists of a mix of single / multiple family residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural land.  The main goals of the City of Waterloo are to reduce sediment loads and total runoff from urban and rural areas and to reduce the amount of phosphorous, nitrates, and nitrites with city stormwater flows to protect drinking water.  The wet pond will also help reduce the amount of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), decreasing bacterial loading and potential downstream fish kills and health concerns noted by the city and property owners. The project will also provide an area for fishing.  Informational signs will be posted along the perimeter walking trail.  This project addresses the full unified sizing criteria meaning that every storm event between the 1.25 inch and the 100-year storm are addressed. The wet pond project is also part of a larger effort which includes the restoration of a stream corridor in Sunnyside Golf and Country Club immediately downstream of the wet pond.

Project Status
Under construction (Feb. 2026)

Practices
6-acre wet pond and adjoining wetland; Two pre-treatment sediment forebays; and 5.4 acres of native grasses and 2.4 acres of wetland native mix.