PRIMGHAR — A northwest Iowa cattle-feeding operation is seeking state approval to drill another deep well and withdraw as much as 78.9 million gallons of water each year from an underground aquifer and nearby creek.
City View Farms East has applied to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a modified water-use permit covering its operation in O’Brien County.
The request would authorize the farm to draw water from three existing wells drilled approximately 500 feet into the Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone aquifer, along with one new deep well and Waterman Creek.
At the maximum annual allowance, the operation could use an average of approximately 6.6 million gallons per month.
The requested permit would also increase the farm’s maximum instantaneous pumping capacity from 240 gallons per minute to 420 gallons per minute.
According to the DNR, the additional well is intended to provide backup capacity and help the cattle operation meet possible future demand. The water would be used on agricultural property in Sections 14 and 15 of Township 95 North, Range 39 West in O’Brien County.
The public notice describes the proposed new well as approximately 575 feet deep. A separate DNR technical summary lists the planned well at approximately 675 feet, indicating a discrepancy within the state documents.
The farm’s three existing wells draw from the Dakota Sandstone aquifer, which consists primarily of water-bearing sandstone formations deep beneath northwest Iowa.
The DNR said the aquifer has historically supplied agricultural and municipal users in the Sheldon area and has not shown a significant decline in static water levels.
State officials concluded that the underground formation should be capable of supporting City View Farms East’s requested usage without substantially affecting nearby wells.
The closest neighboring water user with a state permit is approximately two miles northwest of the farm and uses water to irrigate general and specialty crops.
The DNR said it does not expect the increased pumping rate or annual allowance to negatively affect that user.
The farm’s original water-use permit was granted in 1966 after a contested public hearing in Primghar. The permit has since been renewed six times without objection and without reported harm to neighboring water users, according to the state’s review.
The proposed new permit would remain in effect for 10 years.
Under its conditions, City View Farms East would be required to maintain detailed annual records showing how much water it withdraws.
The operation would also have to measure water levels in its permitted wells each spring, provide information about the construction and performance of the new well, and install or monitor observation wells if directed by the DNR.
Water could be withdrawn from Waterman Creek only when the wells cannot provide enough water for the cattle operation. The farm would also be required to preserve enough natural stream flow to prevent material harm to downstream users.
The permit could be modified, suspended or canceled if the withdrawals cause substantial injury to public or private interests or if the farm violates state law or permit conditions.
The Iowa DNR has recommended approval of the application.
Public comments must be received by Aug. 5, 2026, and should reference Iowa DNR Log No. 34,700.
Say ‘No’ to thugs.
Reynolds will give them whatever they want. More money for her under the table retirement fund.