The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) mission is to provide reliable scientific
information about the Nation's natural resources. An integral part of that mission
is to provide consistent, long-term water-resources data to customers, cooperators,
and the public. To accomplish our mission, we operate a widespread surface and
ground-water data collection network as well as research a wide range of scientific
issues throughout Iowa.
Follow the USGS Iowa on Twitter @USGS_IA and Facebook USGS Science in Iowa for the latest news on natural resources, flooding, new scientific reports, and much more.
First-ever reconnaissance study documents the off-field transport to adjacent streams of nitrapyrin (a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields).
[11/21/16]
The report presents regional regression equations for estimating six low-flow frequency statistics that include spring (April through June) and fall (October through December) 1-, 7-, and 30-day mean low flows for a recurrence interval of 10 years.
[9/20/16]
The presence of indicator bacteria, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and numerous bacterial pathogen genes increased following precipitation-induced runoff events in streams draining adjacent land surfaces in Iowa where swine manure was recently applied.
[9/6/16]
The hydrology and chemistry of a wastewater-impacted stream and adjacent groundwater responded rapidly (e.g. had fewer chemicals at lower concentrations) following wastewater treatment facility shutdown. However, the adjacent shallow groundwater remained a continuing source of some wastewater-derived contaminants such a pharmaceuticals to the stream at least 1 year post-shutdown.
[8/31/16]
The 2016 version of Learn About the Land trip logs are now available. Each year the U.S. Geological Survey,
Iowa Geological Survey & Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, Iowa DNR, and the
Iowa Limestone Producers coordinate to provide these brochures that describe interesting landscape, geologic, and other
natural resources alaong the RAGBRAI route. Historical features are highlighted in a separate publication produced by the
Office of the State Archaeologist. Look for volunteers as they distribute these brochures along the route and in the RAGBRAI campgrounds, or stop by the University of Iowa's Mobile Museum.
[7/19/16]
The report describes the methods used to collect bed sediment samples from Kent Park Lake watershed. Data on phosphorus concentrations both spatially in the lake and with depth in the lake sediements are described.
[7/20/16]
The report documents differences in the amount and timing of nutrient transport over a ten-year period from geologically similar watersheds in Minnesota and Iowa with small differences in annual rainfall and major differences in agricultural intensity.
[4/7/16]
Two sets of statistical summaries are presented for each streamgage, which include (1) long-term statistics for the entire period of streamflow record and (2) recent-term statistics for or during the 30-year period of record from 1984 to 2013.
[1/4/16]
New scientific research from the U.S. Geological Survey details how landfill leachate, disposed from landfills to environmental pathways, is host to numerous contaminants of emerging concern. A summarization of this study and links to more information can be found here
[11/13/15]
The deleterious effects (for example, alteration of fish behavior, etc.) observed in this study confirm that effluents containing pharmaceuticals can adversely affect fish in ways that are central to sustaining populations. A summary of the results can be obtained here.
[11/13/15]
New scientific research from the U.S. Geological Survey details how landfill leachate, disposed from landfills to environmental pathways, is host to numerous contaminants of emerging concern. A summarization of this study and links to more information can be found here
[11/13/15]
A method of using computer streamflow models for nine eastern Iowa streams to estimate streamflow at any location in the stream network.
[11/3/15]
A new interactive mapping tool provides predicted concentrations for 108 pesticides in streams and rivers across the Nation and identifies which streams are most likely to exceed water-quality guidelines for human health or aquatic life.
[9/22/15]
Statistical tools and rainfall-runoff methods are evaluated for estimating historical daily streamflow for ungaged watersheds in the Des Moines and Iowa River Basins.
[8/24/15]
This study represents the first national-scale study of the presence of neonicotinoids in urban and agricultural land use settings across the Nation and was
completed as part of ongoing USGS investigations of pesticide levels in streams. A summer of this study and links to more information can be found at:
http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/2015-08-18-national_neonics.html
[8/18/15]
The Virginia Commonwealth University, USGS, Westat, and the National Cancer Institute have collaborated to develop a model for predicting nitrate concentrations in private wells in Iowa.
[7/31/15]
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the State Hygienic Laboratory, and the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination collaborated on the first ever comprehensive study of contaminants of emerging concern in Iowa's groundwater.
[7/22/15]
The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are collaborating on a field-based study of chemical mixture composition and environmental effects in stream waters affected by a wide range of human activities and contaminant sources.
More information and report can be found here.
[7/1/15]
New USGS comparison study identifies best flood-frequency estimation methods for small drainage basins in Iowa. Comparisons included 80 streamgages and 5 different flood-estimation methods.
[5/26/15]
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