Publications

A comprehensive set of soil characteristics were examined to determine the effect of soil on the transport of agrichemicals to groundwater. This paper examines the relation of soil characteristics to concentrations and occurrence nitrate, atrazine, and atrazine residue from 99 wells completed in unconsolidated aquifers across the Midwestern United States. Soil characteristics that...

Eleven streams in the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, and Skunk River basins in eastern Iowa were sampled monthly from March 1996 through September 1998 to assess the occurrence, distribution, and transport of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. At least one form of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus...

The U.S. Geological Survey began data-collection activities in the Eastern Iowa Basins study unit of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program in September 1995 with the purpose of determining the status and trends in water quality of water from the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, and Skunk River basins. From March 1996 through September 1998, monthly surface-water samples were collected...

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Newton, Iowa, conducted an investigation of the ground-water resources of Jasper County, Iowa, near Newton during 1999-2001. The purpose of the investigation was to provide additional information on the South Skunk River alluvial aquifer from which Newton obtains its present municipal supply and to summarize the available...

The City of Burlington, Iowa, obtains some of its public water supply by withdrawing ground water from the Mississippi River alluvium, an alluvial aquifer adjacent to the Mississippi River. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Burlington, conducted a hydrologic study of the Mississippi River alluvium near Burlington in 1999 to improve understanding of the flow...

Over 250 benthic invertebrate taxa were identified from snags and woody debris in streams and rivers of the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, and Skunk River Basins in the Eastern Iowa Basins (EIWA) study unit of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The composition, distribution, and abundance of 74 predominant taxa were related to environmental conditions in...

This report presents the results of a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation to describe the hydrology, sediment transport, and sediment deposition along a selected reach of Long Branch Creek in Macon County, Missouri. The study was designed to investigate spatial and temporal characteristics of sediment deposition in a...

Twelve sites on streams and rivers in the Eastern Iowa Basins study unit were sampled monthly and during selected storm events from March 1996 through September 1998 to assess the occurrence, distribution, and transport of nitrogen, phosphorus, suspended sediment, and organic carbon as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. One site was dropped...

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), has been collecting streamflow information on the Current River and one of its tributaries, the Jacks Fork, for 78 years. Both rivers are located in south-central Missouri in an area with large springs, streams, caves, and rugged countryside. Outdoor activities, such as camping, floating, fishing...

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Fort Madison, conducted a study of the potential sources and possible processes that might produce ammonia in ground water from the Mississippi River alluvium near Fort Madison, Iowa. High ammonia concentrations of 3.0 to 6.4 milligrams per liter were detected in water produced from municipal well Fort Madison #4 from 1992...

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that is added to gasoline either seasonally or year round in many parts of the United States to increase the octane level and to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels in the air. The chemical properties and widespread use of MTBE can result in contamination of private and public drinking-water sources. MTBE...

Water resources data for water year 2000 for Iowa consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground water. This report, in two volumes, contains stage or discharge records for 126 gaging stations; stage or contents records for 9 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality records for 4...