A study on the economic value of outdoor recreation was recently conducted by Iowa State University. The study attempted to determine the effectiveness and the public response to an effort focused on improving the environment for recreation. The study showed that more and more Iowans have been utilizing outdoor resources for recreation.

According to Nancy Adrian with the Washington County Extension, the study shows a link between the improvements made to natural resources throughout the state and the additional use.

She says that local government projects like the one at Lake Darling, with the implementation of water sheds, could prove to be very beneficial to the state and county financially.