A new report commissioned by Polk County says that agriculture is the driving factor of high pollution levels in area rivers and streams, raising red flags about the region's drinking water and environmental health.

Why it matters: The nearly 250-page "Currents of Change" report aims to deliver the most thorough river review in the metro's history.

• It occurs during the metro's first lawn-watering ban as high nitrate levels threaten the area's drinking water supply.

Catch up quick: Polk County partnered with soil and water specialists in 2023, using $1 million in federal pandemic grant funds to review existing river data, identify research gaps and create a water quality improvement plan.

• It emphasizes how area waterways are vital to economic health and residents' well-being.

Context: The study follows years of debate between environmental advocates and Iowa's key industry — agriculture.

• In 2015, DSM Water Works unsuccessfully sued three northwest Iowa counties and multiple drainage districts in federal court, accusing them of violating the Clean Water Act by not controlling nitrates more effectively.

What they found: Rivers regularly contain fecal bacteria levels that go beyond safe swimming limits, according to the report.

• About 80% of nitrates in the DSM and Raccoon rivers are directly linked to agriculture, the report concludes.

State of play: The report was expected to be released earlier this year, but the county has so far declined to make it public.

• Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained and first published a copy of it this week. Axios also independently obtained a copy.

What they're saying: Polk County published a video about the report Thursday, noting that it will be released on July 1.

• "We hope that residents and community groups use this report as a guide to advocate and take positive actions to improve water quality at the local, state and national level," Polk County supervisors chairperson Matt McCoy said in a statement to Axios.
• Iowa Farm Bureau Federation will review the report and offer a response at a later date, spokesperson Andrew Wheeler tells Axios.

The intrigue: The report recommends that local and state officials take several steps, including developing contingencies for water utilities to meet stricter nitrate drinking water standards.

What's next: County supervisors are expected to review the report during a meeting at 9:30 Tuesday.

Read more

A colorful archway near the I-235 underpass facing northbound traffic of Robert D. Ray Drive could become a signature entry point to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Why it matters: The archway is envisioned as a functional landmark that will better connect the garden with the Bridge District, City Hall and the East Village — which have long felt divided by the freeway's infrastructure.

Zoom in: The arch's design — still a conceptual rendering and subject to change — is a fan-shaped lattice, echoing the curves of a blooming flower.

Driving the news: The garden has almost completed a $9 million capital campaign for improvements, including the arch design, CEO Kim Perez tells Axios.

• Renovations to the Gardeners Show House and meeting rooms are in progress and are expected to be completed by the end of September.
• Updates to the lobby space, offices and the arch will likely begin in 2026.

Caveat: Garden staff are reviewing what approvals they'll need to proceed with the project, Perez said.

• The hope is that this arch could be lit for greater nighttime visibility, similar to the garden's iconic dome, she said.

The bottom line: Be patient.

⭐️ 1 fun thing to go: The underpass was the answer to yesterday's "Where's Jason?"

• Axios DSM reader Holly Lancaster won a copy of the new book "Waterbury Neighborhood."

Say all you want about how annoying drivers are in Iowa — at the very least, we're not the worst (though not the best), according to Allstate claims data.

Why it matters: The findings put a little quantitative weight behind some people's strongly held beliefs about the quality — or lack thereof — of their neighbors' driving skills.

State of play: Des Moines drivers get into more accidents on average in comparison to the rest of the U.S., according to Allstate's 2025 America's Best Drivers Report.

• Motorists in Des Moines go about nine years between vehicle collisions, while the rest of the country averages a little over a decade.

How it works: Allstate's report is based on 2022-2023 claims data and defines collisions as incidents resulting in property or collision damage claims.

• The findings are based on where drivers live, not necessarily where incidents happen.

The bottom line: Learn how to zipper merge, people!

🏊‍♀️ Des Moines has reopened Birdland Pool after renovations, just in time for summer. (WHO Radio)

⚾ The Iowa Cubs will host a sensory-friendly game this Sunday against the Columbus Clippers. (WHO-13)

🧐 The city of DSM is seeking redevelopment proposals for the Argonne Armory after the DSM Performing Arts said they are no longer interested. (Business Record)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Des Moines Arts Festival at Western Gateway Park June 27-29: Explore original artwork from 195 professional artists, get hands-on with dozens of free activities, check out 24 original films, and enjoy a variety of live music on two stages. Admission is FREE.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Popular Instagram account, Beckography22, ranked Iowa as the best state capitol building in the U.S.

What they're saying: While we don't have the largest building, "Iowa proves that size isn't everything," he says.

• We've got five domes — the most of any state.

💬 Linh's thought bubble: During a high school field trip, a tour guide told us that if you scrape all the gold leaf off the dome, it would smush into the size of a softball.

• Is it true? Only one way to find out....