April 16, 2025
Black Hawk County, IOWA –
The Black Hawk County Road Department will begin roadside spraying May 1, as part of the county’s Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) weed control program. Spraying will continue through the first frost in the fall.
As part of the IRVM program, the county is divided into two halves. The attached map highlights in blue the county roads where spraying was completed in 2024. This year, efforts will primarily focus on the north half of Black Hawk County, specifically north of Interstate 20, working from west to east.
The IRVM program is designed to control noxious weeds and manage invasive trees and brush within the county’s Right-of-Way (ROW). The herbicides used for weed control include Vastlan, Milestone, Arsenal, and Escort XP. Landowners adjacent to the ROW, who prefer to opt out of roadside spraying, may apply for a No-Spray Permit on the Black Hawk County website (link below).
Why Roadside Vegetation Management Matters
Through responsible roadside management, Black Hawk County aims to maintain safe, healthy, and functional roadsides. The strategic use of herbicides helps control problematic weeds while promoting the benefits of healthy vegetation, which include:
- Enhancing rainfall infiltration
- Reducing runoff and erosion
- Trapping sediment
- Providing a habitat for pollinators, nesting birds, and other wildlife
Monthly spraying updates will be posted on the BHC Road Department Facebook page, and those signed up for Road Updates will also receive notifications directly. To sign up for spraying updates, learn more about the IRVM program, or request a No Spray permit, visit https://blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov/214/Road-Department or contact the Road Department at (319) 833-3008 during regular business hours.
###
