Following is a list of activities and accomplishments of the DNR monitoring
program in FY03.
Data Collection
Iowa Interior Streams: Chemical/Physical Monitoring
• During FY02, 62 stations were monitored monthly. Common herbicides were tested
for monthly at all stations, bacteria indicators were monitored throughout the
year, and all priority pollutants were analyzed monthly from April through July.
Another change: samples were collected under all flow conditions rather than
avoiding runoff conditions as had previously been the protocol. Seven of the 62
stations (1 in each ecological region) sampled both monthly and during runoff
events. This network should enable better interpretation of the data including:
regional water quality assessments, estimates of nutrient losses to the
Mississippi and Missouri River, and trend analysis through time.
• Twenty-three monitoring sites have been established upstream and downstream of
Iowa’s larger cities (10 cities). During 2002, these sites were monitored
monthly. Priority pollutants were monitored at these sites on a monthly basis
from April through July.
• Glyphosate has never been detected at a fixed or city site and was dropped
from the monitoring program in 2002. It will be rotated back into the program at
a less frequent basis in the future.
• The U.S. Geological Survey collected integrated (vertically and horizontally)
water samples from the 23 city locations to survey the occurrence of
pharmaceuticals in Iowa streams. Three samples were collected and analyzed from
each site. Samples were collected in the spring 2001 during higher stream flow
conditions, mid-summer 2001 under stable, lower stream flow conditions, and in
the late fall 2001 when water temperatures had cooled below 10° C and
biological/chemical activity was substantially reduced.
• Total Organic Carbon was added as a standard monthly parameter at all sites
(fixed and city). Metals were added at a quarter basis for all fixed sites. MtBE
and associated volatiles were monitored at all city sites during Jan, Feb, March
of 2002.
• DNR continues suspended sediment monitoring at 7 stations (Iowa River at
Wapello, Skunk River at Augusta, Walnut Creek at Vandalia, Walnut Creek at
Prairie City, Squaw Creek at Colfax, Maquoketa River at Maquoketa, Bloody Run
Creek near Marquette). DNR is working with USGS to begin in-situ turbidity
monitoring at Walnut Creek and Maquoketa River sites to investigate the
usefulness of turbidity as a surrogate to suspended sediment measurements.
Iowa Interior Streams: Biological Monitoring
• 109 reference sites (some of Iowa’s best stream environments) located
throughout the state have been established as benchmarks for benthic
macroinvertebrates (bottom-dwelling organisms) and fish populations. About 20 of
these sites are revisited annually to evaluate changes in populations,
biological variability, and trends. These sites provide a context to assess
biological impairment at other stream sites.
• The 16 long-term chemical monitoring sites (see above) were monitored for
biological parameters in 2002. This monitoring will allow researchers to
establish relationships between chemical and biological parameters and will help
with the determination of long-term trends.
• Biological monitoring in 40 potentially impaired streams was dropped in 2002.
• Fish and benthic macroinvertebrate indices of biological integrity (F-IBI and
BM-IBI) work continues.
• Much of the biological monitoring data obtained by the DNR/UHL between 1994
and 1998 now in a database called EDAS. EDAS is a biologic database constructed
by TetraTech on a Microsoft Access database platform. TetraTech migrated the
biological data under a contract with DNR. DNR now working with UHL to directly
enter data and utilize the database functions more effectively. It is
anticipated that all Iowa biologic data will go into EDAS, although it may
eventually be moved to STORET. DNR staff have also developed a biocriteria
database for biological data.
• Kurt Pontasch (UNI) continued his evaluation of insecticide impacts on Iowa
benthic macroinvertebrates. Insecticides are occasionally detected in Iowa
streams, but not often. Cholinesterase suppression in Isonychia bicolor (a
common mayfly) is being considered as an indirect method for determining
insecticide impact on Iowa streams. Cholinesterase suppression occurs quickly
upon exposure, is apparently proportional to dose, and continues for up to 30
days following exposure. This research may lead to a more complete understanding
of the occurrence of insecticides in streams and their impact on our aquatic
environment.
• R-EMAP, a probabilistic survey of Iowa’s stream resources, to be completed
over a four-year period, began in 2002. A stratified, random sampling framework
will be used to obtain an unbiased sample population from which accurate
statements about the status of Iowa’s perennial streams can be extrapolated. The
survey will measure several indicators of stream ecosystem health. The five
major sampling components will be (1) aquatic community (benthic
macroinvertebrates and fish); (2) fish tissue and sediment contaminants; (3)
primary productivity and aquatic community respiration; (4) water chemistry; and
(5) riparian and stream physical habitat. Stream sites will be randomly chosen
from each of Iowa’s ten ecological regions. Thirty stream segments will be
randomly selected from each of the seven largest ecorgions, and five stream
segments will be selected from each of the three smaller ecoregions. A total of
225 stream segments will be selected. 25% of the stream sites will be sampled
every year. After completing the first four-year survey, the DNR will be able to
determine if the current estimate of 70% supporting designated uses is
consistent with or different than a statistically defensible estimate. In the
summer of 2002, 56 of the sites were monitored. Logistical difficulties
including access to private property, travel to and from remote sites, and
droughty conditions impacted the number of sites samples.
Border Rivers
• No significant activities by the DNR water monitoring program.
• USGS, EPA, and states met in Kansas City to begin discussions on monitoring
needs and responsibilities.
Iowa Lakes
• A total of 132 lakes were monitored 3 times per year. Sampling in 2002
represented year three of a five-year study. This study design documents the
yearly variability among lakes as well as the variability within a particular
lake. Deer Creek Lake was dry during 2002. Lacey Keosauqua Park Lake was not
sampled as the dam failed in May 2002. Little Wall Lake was being dredged during
the first sampling round and not available for public access.
• A variety of parameters are measured each time a lake is sampled. The
following field parameters are monitored: secchi disk transparency, temperature
profile, pH profile, dissolved O2 profile, TDS profile, specific conductivity
profile, turbidity profile, and chlorophyll ‘A’(fluorometric) profile. Chemical
parameters include chlorophyll and pigment profile (chemical), total P,
dissolved P, NO2 + NO3, NH4, unionized NH3, total N, silica, alkalinity, pH,
total suspended solids, inorganic suspended solids, volatile suspended solids,
and particle size distribution. Biological parameters are phytoplankton
composition and zooplankton composition.
• In 2002, water samples from the lakes were also analyzed for metals (arsenic,
barium, cadmium, chromium, silver, copper, zinc, selenium, nickel, lead, and
mercury).
• Other additional parameters added in 2002 included particle size distribution
and dissolved organic carbon.
• Secchi depth measurements were taken (biweekly) for 45 Iowa lakes by the
Fisheries Bureau in conjunction with some Parks Division personnel.
Groundwater Monitoring
• Since 1982, the Iowa DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of Iowa
Hygienic Lab have conducted the Iowa groundwater quality monitoring program. A
total of 90 municipal wells are monitored on a rotational basis for common ions,
nutrients, herbicides, metals, semi-volatile compounds, and radionuclides. In
2002, all 90 wells were sampled and tested for a wider range of contaminants
that included volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, and age dating of the
water to determine the potential for surface contaminants to reach the
underlying groundwater resources.
• In 2002, an additional 60 wells from the Mississippian aquifer were rotated in
to the monitoring network to provide more in-depth information on the spatial
distribution of water quality in this aquifer. In the future, other regionally
important aquifers will be rotated into the monitoring network.
• Since 1982, the Iowa DNR and the U.S. Geological Survey have conducted the
Iowa groundwater level network. The current groundwater level network includes
the measurement of water levels at 175 wells completed in the principal bedrock
and surficial aquifers that supply groundwater to numerous users throughout the
state. During 2001, water levels at all 175 wells were measured and will be
reported in the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Report for Iowa.
• During FY02, two new monitoring well nests were drilled to begin the
development of a statewide network of dedicated wells located in aquifers across
Iowa. The first two well nests were constructed in the Mississippian aquifer in
north-central Iowa. The Mississippian Aquifer is the primary aquifer used in
north-central Iowa. The well nest at Briggs Woods County Park in Hamilton County
was completed in July 2001, and the well nest at Rutland Marsh in Humboldt
County was completed in February 2002. Each site was rock cored, packer tested
for aquifer properties, and logged with geophysical equipment. Three monitoring
wells were completed at Briggs Woods (at depths of 35, 110, and 410 feet), and
five wells were constructed at Rutland Marsh (20, 80, 150, 200, and 280 feet).
The well nest at Rutland Marsh is located in an area of relatively high yields
from the Mississippian aquifer, and is located within a 2-mile radius of ten to
twenty agricultural drainage wells developed in the same aquifer.
• The third monitoring well nest was completed at Westfield School in Robbins,
Iowa in February 2003. This well nest is focused on the Silurian aquifer north
of Cedar Rapids. This area is shallow to bedrock and is vulnerable to surface
activities.
• UHL, CHEEC, USGS, and DNR working on a project to assess the occurrence of
pesticides, nutrients, bacteria, and VOCs in private drinking water supplies of
incorporated areas not served by public drinking water. There are two aspects to
this project: 1) (spearheaded by UHL) County Sanitarians will sample wells in
sixteen towns that were deemed to be the most vulnerable to groundwater
contamination based on the number of sources and the groundwater vulnerability.
Wells will be sampled up and downgradient of suspected contamination sources. 2)
Wells will be selected randomly from the list of incorporated towns without
public water supplies. 120 wells will be sampled and tested for nutrients,
pesticides, and bacteria.
IDNR Beaches
• DNR Parks and Water Monitoring personnel met February and March 2002 to plan
beach monitoring for 2002. All 35 state-owned beaches will be monitored on a
weekly basis for the three bacterial indicators. Added to the monitoring in 2002
was testing for total suspended sediment and field parameters (pH, dissolved
oxygen, temperature, and turbidity). Sampling responsibility was shifted from
DNR parks staff to UHL.
• Beaches were monitored from April 15 through October 31, 2002.
• The weekly sample was a composite of 9 subsamples collected from a grid at
each beach. Three samples collected at ankle depth, knee depth, and waist depth
will be composited.
• Daily sampling was dropped in 2002.
• All beaches will be posted with a general warning. Beaches that exceed state
standards were posted with a warning that swimming was not recommended. Bacteria
levels during 2002 were below the state standards and federal guidelines for
most of the state beaches (97% of the time). Weekly sampling in 2002 showed a
large range in bacteria levels, not only between beaches, but from week to week
at a given beach.
• Follow-up monitoring to identify sources of elevated bacteria occurred
whenever the geometric mean exceeded state standards for fecal coliform
bacteria. In-depth investigations were conducted at Backbone, George Wyth, Lake
Darling, Prairie Rose Lake, Beeds Lake.
• Beach data was made available weekly on the DNR web site. Data was also
available through the STORET web site (included field parameters and all three
bacterial indicators).
Wetlands
• DNR is working to update the NWI for Iowa.
• A R-EMAP grant to begin development of wetland monitoring techniques and
identification of reference wetlands was submitted to EPA. Formation of a
wetland technical advisory group will begin this spring/summer.
Precipitation
• Discussions with EPA on precipitation monitoring needs.
Citizen Volunteer Monitoring (IOWATER)
• To date, more than 1,300 citizens have been trained at Level 1 workshops.
• At Level 1, volunteers are trained to identify the benthic or bottom-dwelling
organisms (benthic macroinvertebrates) that live in streams, to chemically test
the water, and to evaluate the stream habitat.
• A total of 265 participants were trained at four Level 2 IOWATER Basic
Training workshops and Level 2 modules.
• New Level 2 modules included a Secondary Educator’s Module and a Water Ecology
Module.
• More than 1,000 sites have been registered by IOWATER monitors representing
more than 5,000 data records.
• IOWATER was the first in the nation to offer a Web-based database for its
citizen volunteers. The password-protected database allows trained volunteers to
register sites and directly enter data, while also offering public access to all
IOWATER data. Innovative mapping applications display sites on screen and link
to water-quality data.
• IOWATER testing methods continue to be assessed for credibility (accuracy and
precision). Ongoing comparisons of the data to professionally collected data
show confidence in IOWATER results and methods. Methods that are acceptable for
305b assessment are also being investigated (better detection limits,
resolution).
• DNR staff is developing a Quality Assurance Project Plan for IOWATER (QAPP - a
written document that outlines the procedures a monitoring project will use to
ensure that the data volunteers collect is of high quality).
• IOWATER has produced trained and dedicated volunteers who are actively
participating in local watershed projects. Several snapshot-monitoring events
have provided interesting results on the spatial variability in water quality in
various watersheds. Snapshots have occurred in the Cedar River, Whitebreast
Creek, Scott County, and Muscatine County. More than 22 watershed or county
groups use the IOWATER program in their water-quality projects.
• The Iowa Volunteer Water Monitoring Directory was completed and made available
on the IOWATER web site.
• The 2000 General Assembly passed legislation (SF 2371) that established
“credible data” requirements. The legislation required the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources to create rules to define “Qualified Volunteer” and “Credible
Data” in relationship to water-quality monitoring. The Environmental Protection
Commission adopted the rule in June of 2002.
STORET Database/IOWATER/EDAS Database
• Data Currently in STORET:
• Ambient Program (Streams)
o Data through Dec. 2002 is in STORET; working on uploading Jan. 2003
• Beach Data
o Data in STORET through Dec 2002
• TMDL Data
o Data in STORET through Dec 2002
• Floyd/Mitchell Data
o Data in STORET 1993-Dec 2002.
• USGS data
o Have electronic data, not in STORET
• Sny Magill and Bloody Run samples
o In STORET
• Big Spring
o Have electronic version of data set, needs to be migrated to STORET
• McCloud Run and Indian Creek
o In STORET
• Iowa Lake Survey data
o Have electronic version of data set, needs to be migrated to STORET
• Wasterwater plants
o Beginning to receive outfall data, need to upload to STORET
• COE data (Duane Arnold/Cedar River)
o Have electonic copy
• COE data (Des Moines River)
o Have electronic version of data set, formatting for migration to STORET
• Coordination of data from other monitoring sources (i.e. municipalities, state
and federal agencies, and utilities) into STORET providing “one-stop shopping”
for Iowa’s water quality information is under development. Working on a pilot
project with Davenport Wastewater for migration of raw water data.
• New Data Retrieval Web Page Released January 2002. New features include: pick
lists for parameters and projects (i.e., pesticides, bacteria, nutrients, metals
or city, ambient, beach, tmdl projects), live graphing, and XML download
formats.
• Completed ArcIMS application for IOWATER volunteer data. Working on
application for professional data.
Data Coordination
• DNR is working with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on monitoring Iowa
reservoirs. Several years of flat-line budgeting by the Corps had reduced the
number of parameters and threatened the long-term record at stations associated
with Coralville, Red Rock, and Saylorville reservoirs. DNR is providing money to
maintain the sites and the water quality parameters measured. These COE sites
are among the longest, continuous records of water quality, and thus constitute
the most important records available. This work is conducted by contract from
COE to ISU and the UI.
• DNR is coordinating with the U.S. Geological Survey to continue monitoring
sites that are not monitored during the intermittent ‘low-intensity’ phases of
the program.
• DNR is assisting cities and water utilities to get their monitoring data into
STORET.
• The ambient water-monitoring program is working with TMDL program to analyze
sediment cores from TMDL lakes in order to map thickness of sediment
accumulation and contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
• DNR is working with the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance (RLWA) to supplement
existing monitoring and help provide on-going resources for water quality
monitoring at the lake. DNR is also working with the RLWA to support future
studies to measure the nutrient flux within the watershed.
• DNR is working with Clean Water Alliance to support monitoring activities on
West Buttrick Creek.
• DNR/EPA are in the process of finishing the comprehensive monitoring strategy
for Iowa.
Data Analysis/Interpretation
• Stream and Lake data being used to support the Department’s Nutrient Study.
Emerging Issues
• In FY02, the herbicide isoxaflutole (Balance) was analyzed in samples from
Iowa’s lakes. Data from this monitoring has shown relatively high levels of this
herbicide in some of Iowa’s lakes. Bayer would like the state to continue
monitoring during 2003.
• During FY01, samples were collected from the 23 city locations to evaluate a
variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs, human and veterinary
antibiotics, hormones, and sterols. Further investigation of these parameters is
needed.
• Bacteria samples from the ambient program are being examined by Dr. Patricia
Winokur (U of I) to determine the level of antibiotic resistant bacteria in
Iowa’s waters.
• DNR is working with UHL to begin the development of a bacteria DNA library for
future source tracking efforts. CGRER Grant to implement DNA source-tracking for
the Upper Iowa Watershed will wrap up in August of 2003.
Public Outreach
• Third Annual Water Monitoring Conference was held on February 19-20, 2003, at
the Scheman Center in Ames, Iowa.
• 30 Technical and non-technical Fact Sheets have been developed to highlight
various elements of the monitoring program.
• The Iowa Citizen Monitor (a quarterly newsletter of IOWATER) provides on-going
communication with IOWATER trained monitors and other interested individuals.
• Staff has made numerous public presentations at the local, state, and national
level on the ambient monitoring program and IOWATER.
• The Second Annual Volunteers in Natural Resources Conference was held November
of 2002 at the Holiday Inn in West Des Moines. The conference was an opportunity
to celebrate and recognize the achievements of IOWATER volunteers, for IOWATER
volunteers to network with natural resources volunteers and professionals from
across Iowa, and to gather ideas and learn about various programs and projects.
Water Monitoring Program Web Site (www.igsb.uiowa.edu/water)
• Web site describes ambient monitoring program elements, shows sampling
locations, and their respective watershed and land use characteristics. The web
site also contains links to Iowa’s STORET database and the IOWATER database.
• Fact sheets developed for the ambient monitoring program are available on the
web site.
Quality Control/Quality Assurance
• Web-based reporting format developed to evaluate monthly electronic data files
from the University Hygienic Lab. Report identifies missing sites, missing
parameters, and minimum/maximum values for all parameters.
• Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) will be developed for all components of
the Ambient Water Monitoring Program. Currently, QAPPs are being written for the
chemical/physical water quality monitoring of Iowa’s streams and rivers, and
IOWATER.
• IOWATER methods continue to be evaluated next to field and lab testing being
conducted by the University Hygienic Lab at the ambient stream sites.
Miscellaneous
The Technical Advisory Committee to the Ambient Water Monitoring Program meets
on an annual basis to review progress of the program and provide direction. The
committee met March 20, 2001 in Ames, April 2, 2002 in Newton, and February 19,
2003 in Ames.
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