Brecht brothers witness wildlife revival

Sometimes the proof that a conservation project works comes in small, undeniable moments - like watching minnows swim in a newly restored oxbow or seeing wildlife creep in for a drink and rest under the maple trees nearby.

For brothers Steve and Mark Brecht, the oxbow - a meander of a stream separated from the flow of water - on their Benton County farm already is showing signs of life just months after completion.

As ice formed on the oxbow earlier this winter, the brothers were amazed to see fish thriving in the water, likely moving in through a tile line connected to a nearby tile ditch. Evidence of deer tracks and other wildlife soon followed.

"The oxbow was full and the ice was clear," said Steve. "We could already see minnows living in there. The aerial view is spectacular, and we can't wait to see what waterfowl visit this spring."

That personal connection drives the Brechts' conservation efforts. Avid hunters, they have long sought ways to restore wildlife habitat, improve water quality and reduce nitrates on the farm - all while complementing their no-till, contour farming and cover crop practices.

"When we were growing up, this was our grandparents' farm, and during wet years in the 1970s, the oxbow would still hold water," explained Mark. "We would hunt ducks during our teen years, so we've always been sentimental about our property. We've been interested in this for a very long time from a wildlife habitat standpoint."

Their efforts became possible through a water quality partnership program led by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in collaboration with the Iowa Soybean Association and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program helps farmers implement science-based practices designed to protect water quality and improve soil health in Iowa.

The partnership focuses on priority watersheds, installing conservation practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including multi-purpose oxbows, saturated buffers and perennial covers. The overall goal includes installing up to 30 oxbows, 21 saturated buffers and 900 acres of perennial cover, which can provide pollinator habitat, wildlife cover, field borders or filter strips.

The Brecht Project

Steve learned about the opportunity during a meeting hosted by Linn Coop, where Iowa Soybean Association representatives presented conservation programs available to local farmers.

"Oxbow restoration was one of the programs mentioned, and we recognized right away this might finally be what we were looking for," said Mark.

Over the decades, the farm's oxbows silted in and disappeared. After purchasing the farm in 2004 through family succession, the brothers explored restoring the channels several times without success - until 2025, when the multi-agency partnership made the project feasible.

Within a year, the Iowa Soybean Association connected the Brechts with funding and programs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service handled surveying, design, permitting, and approvals, while The Nature Conservancy provided input on project design.

"The whole process from design to full oxbow took about eight months," Steve said. "Surveying the site began in late April 2025, and by the end of June, we had an approved design. Excavation began Nov. 17, and the oxbow was full by Dec. 29. It really was a painless process from beginning to end for us."

The project is fed by a diverted tile ditch draining more than 1,000 acres. Two basins hold more than a million gallons of water, slowing runoff and filtering nitrates before they reach streams and rivers.

"As we've stated, our first interest was from a wildlife habitat standpoint," Mark said. "Still, the more we understand levels of nitrate filtration, we're more excited that we can do our part to address the issue. We can't capture it all, but we hope we are contributing toward the solution, even if it's in a relatively small way."

Balancing conservation with farm productivity was straightforward, as the restored land had previously been pasture.

"If this project reduces nitrates and other pollutants from reaching streams and rivers, that's a win for everyone," Steve said. "Perhaps mandated regulation will be slower to arrive if producers implement more of these projects now."

The Brechts' farm has long embraced conservation practices, including no-till farming and planting perpendicular to water flow to reduce soil erosion. Steve operates the Brecht family farm, minus 30 acres Mark holds on to for recreational purposes that include the oxbow area.

"The oxbow restoration completes that whole process," Mark said. "If I can filter water before it enters streams and aquifers, for me that is a no-brainer."

Funding and permitting, often barriers to conservation projects, were handled by partner organizations. With the oxbow in place and wildlife already returning, the Brechts hope their farm can serve as an example of how agriculture and conservation can coexist. Plans are to fully seed the area around the oxbow with native prairie and watch the wetland area develop.

"The process of restoring the oxbow on our farm was completely painless," Steve said. "The ISA, Nature Conservancy, USFWS and our local Linn Co-op handled all the design, contractor bidding, permits and securing funding. If you own land and a river or ditch runs through it, give it some consideration."

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the Brecht project is exactly what the water quality partnership project was designed to accomplish.

"I am grateful to the Brecht family and other farmers and landowners who are adopting responsible farming practices, and to the many partners helping accelerate this work in priority watersheds," Naig said. "From farm to faucet, clean water is non-negotiable, and everyone has a role to play. If you have a location that can support an oxbow or another conservation practice, we invite you to learn more about the cost-share and technical resources available to help you get started."