Low head dams across Iowa have been designated as safety hazards and environmental barriers.  The Iowa DNR seeks to reduce hazards and increase stream quality at many dam sites.  Many of these dams are historic properties, yet there has been no consistent method to analyze and evaluate these resources.

Through partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the State Historic Preservation Office, the DNR contracted with Impact7G to evaluate 131 dams across Iowa, develop historic contexts at a statewide level, and create methods for researching and determining significance for dams across Iowa. From collected data, Impact7G created a statewide context of how dams were constructed, used, and their relationship to broad patterns of history in Iowa. As part of this project, Impact7G developed a process guide for local partners to aid in navigation of the Section 106 process, from project development through project completion.