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Following is a list of activities of the DNR water
monitoring program in FY04.
Data Collection
Iowa Interior Streams: Chemical/Physical Monitoring
•During FY03, 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. Seven of the 62 stations (1 in each ecological region)
were 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 were monitored upstream and downstream of
Iowa’s larger cities (10 cities). During 2003, these sites were monitored
monthly. Priority pollutants were monitored at these sites on a monthly
basis from April through July. To maximize information on urban
influences an additional 4 sites were paired with existing ambient sites:
Charles City, Shenandoah, Sac City, Independence.
• MTBE and related analytes were added to city
sites during winter months (Jan-Mar).
• Pharmaceuticals were
analyzed in samples taken from 16 long term stations and 10 downstream city
stations on a quarterly basis. Analytes include:
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Sulfamethazine |
Lincomycin |
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Sulfadimethoxine |
Trimethoprim |
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Sulfamethoxazole |
Tylosin |
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Sulfathiazole |
Acetominophin |
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Carbamazepine |
Ibuprofin |
• 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 worked with the 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.
Bacteria monitoring on 5 class A streams weekly during
recreational season (sites are in Eastern Iowa).
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 dropped as biological monitoring sites
pending review of data to determine comparability and representativeness.
• Kurt Pontasch (UNI) finished a project on McLoud Run, a coldwater stream
located in the city of Cedar Rapids, which used the macroinvertebrate
population as a potential indicator for chlordane movement in the stream by
determining the level of chlordane that has accumulated within the organism
tissue. This project further measures the ability of McLoud run to sustain
trout populations by determining relative abundances of various
macroinvertebrates.
• R-EMAP, a probabilistic survey of Iowa’s stream
resources, to be completed over a five-year period, continued in 2003. 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. After completing the first five-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 2003, 45
of the sites were monitored.
IGS staff collected habitat at
11 sites using EPA’s intensive habitat protocol. Proposal for ISU to
continue this monitoring in 2004.
Border Rivers
• Great Rivers EMAP will begin in 2004. The USGS will receive funding from
EPA to conduct monitoring on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. LTRMP
will take the lead on the Mississippi River. USGS will take the lead on the
Missouri – NE fisheries, IA biological monitoring/habitat and USGS for water
chemistry.
Iowa Lakes
• A total of 132 lakes were monitored 3 times per year. Sampling in 2003
represented year four of a five-year study. This study design documents the
yearly variability among lakes as well as the variability within a
particular lake.
• 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.
• Other additional parameters measured in 2003 included particle size
distribution and dissolved organic carbon.
• Lakes were also sampled for the pesticide Balance (isoxaflutole).
Sampling at TMDL lakes by UHL was used to compare and
contrast laboratory results from ISU and UHL.
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 2003, all wells were sampled for major ions, nutrients,
and common herbicides. Additionally, shallow wells (less than 300 feet
deep) were sampled for selected priority pollutants, and deep wells (more
than 300 feet) were sampled for radionuclides..
• In 2003, an additional 60 wells from the
Silurian-Devonian 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 2003, water levels at all 175 wells were
measured and will be reported in the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources
Report for Iowa.
• During FY03, a third monitoring well nest was
completed at Westfield School in Robbins, Iowa. 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. Three wells were completed to
depths of 40, 200, and 455 feet. The site was rock cored, packer tested
for aquifer properties, and logged with geophysical equipment.
• UHL, CHEEC, USGS, and DNR finished 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 were 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 were sampled up and downgradient of
suspected contamination sources. 2) Wells were selected randomly from the
list of incorporated towns without public water supplies. 120 wells were
sampled and tested for nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria.
IDNR Beaches
• DNR Parks and Water Monitoring personnel met following the beach season of
2003 to plan beach monitoring for 2004. During 2003, all 35 state-owned
beaches were monitored on a weekly basis for the three bacterial indicators.
Two additional beaches were added to the monitoring
program in July 2003 – North Twin Lake East and North Twin Lake West in
Calhoun County. Sampling of beached continued to be done by staff at
the University Hygienic Lab.
• 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.
• Due to a change in the Iowa State Water Quality Standard for swimmable
waterbodies, several revisions were made to the beach monitoring program
policy for 2003. The new state standard uses E. coli, instead of
fecal coliform, and also adds a one-time sample limit in addition to the
geometric mean standard. The 2003 Beach Policy
included a geometric mean standard and a one-time sample maximum standard.
Swimming advisory signs, which state that swimming is not recommended at
this time, were posted at any beach that exceeded the geometric mean
standard for E. coli (126 organisms per 100 mL of water). The
one-time maximum standard (235 organisms per 100 mL of water) was used to
either post a swimming advisory sign at a beach or to take a re-sample,
depending on the beach classification. Based on data from 2000 through
2002, the state-owned beaches were classified as either “vulnerable” or “not
vulnerable” to experiencing consistent, high levels of bacteria. When
beaches on the “vulnerable” list (Backbone, Beed’s Lake, Clear Lake, George
Wyth, Lake Darling, Prairie Rose, Rock Creek, Union Grove) exceeded the
one-time maximum standard, a swimming advisory sign was posted immediately.
When the one-time maximum standard was exceeded at any of the “not
vulnerable” beaches, a re-sample was done. If the re-sample was above the
one-time standard, then a swimming advisory sign was posted at the beach.
• Bacteria levels during 2003 were below the state
standards and federal guidelines for most of the state beaches, with beaches
below the geometric mean standard 97% of the time and below the one-time
standard 95% of the time. Weekly sampling in 2003 showed a large range in
bacteria levels, not only between beaches, but from week to week at a given
beach.
• Intensive watershed investigations were conducted at seven beaches to
determine the source of chronically high levels of bacteria. In-depth
investigations were conducted at Backbone, Beed’s Lake, Geode, George Wyth,
Lake Darling, Prairie Rose Lake, and Rock Creek.
• 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).
Proposed changes for 2004:
Include county beaches in areas with high use (population centers) or near
vulnerable conditions.
Wetlands
• DNR is working on updating the NWI for Iowa.
• A R-EMAP grant to begin development of wetland
monitoring techniques and identification of reference wetlands was funded by
EPA. Formation of a wetland technical advisory group will begin this
spring. A wetland biologist position will be hired this winter.
Precipitation
• Discussions with EPA on precipitation monitoring needs.
Citizen Volunteer Monitoring (IOWATER)
• To date, more than 1,800 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 55 participated in Level 2 modules, including 27 at the benthic
indexing module, 15 at the Secondary Educator’s Module, and 13 at the Water
Ecology Module.
• More than 1,400 sites have been registered by IOWATER monitors
representing more than 8,500 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 completing 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. A
total of 21 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, Muscatine
County, O’Brien County, Cedar County, Clinton County, Cedar Lake
(Winterset), Johnson and Iowa counties, and the Wapsipinicon Watershed. Nearly 750 volunteers have
participated in snapshot samplings.
• IOWATER has sponsored three statewide snapshot
samplings in October 2002, May 2003, and October 2003. The October events
were held in conjunction with National Water Monitoring Day on October 18.
More than 360 people participated in the IOWATER snapshot events.
The October 18, 2003 snapshot was featured in a
segment on Iowa Public Television’s Living in Iowa program.
• IOWATER is participating
with volunteer water monitoring programs in other Midwest states (MN, WI,
IN, OH, MI) on a project to evaluate the usability and reliability of E.
coli bacteria test kits for use among volunteers.
• The first-annual Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness
River Expedition), an IOWATER-sponsored, weeklong canoe trip down an
interior Iowa river debuted on the Maquoketa River during National Rivers
month (June) 2003. Starting at the outlet of Backbone State Park and
stopping just short of mighty Mississippi, over one hundred volunteers from
the first annual Project AWARE hauled 109 tires, 16 chairs, 20 barrels, 91
bags of trash, some methamphetamine lab items, a BMX bicycle, and an
Easy-Bake® Oven, and much more junk, from the eastern Iowa river. Volunteers
also did water quality monitoring along the course of the river. The
success and overwhelming response of volunteers from this journey has
already spawned plans for a 2004 Project AWARE down the Des Moines River.
STORET Database/IOWATER/EDAS Database
• Data Currently in STORET:
• Ambient Program (Streams)
Data through Dec. 2003 is in STORET.
• Beach Data
Data in STORET through Dec 2003.
• TMDL Data
Data in STORET through Dec 2003.
• Floyd/Mitchell Data
Data in STORET 1993-Dec 2003.
• USGS groundwater data
Have electronic data, not in STORET.
• Sny Magill and Bloody Run samples
In STORET through December 2003.
• Big Spring
Have electronic version of data set. Needs to be migrated to STORET.
• McLoud Run and Indian Creek urban creek study
Data in STORET
• Iowa Lake Survey data
Have electronic version of data set, needs to be migrated to STORET
• Wasterwater plants
Beginning to receive outfall data, need to upload to STORET
• COE data (Duane Arnold/Cedar River)
Have electronic copy
• COE data (Des Moines River)
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.
• Completed ArcIMS application for IOWATER and
professional data – made to be consistent with Watershed Atlas.
• IOWATER chemical data
migrated into STORET.
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 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 Creston and Union County to monitor three lakes in the
city for bacteria following septic tank hookups.
Data Analysis/Interpretation
• Stream and lake data were used in the Department’s Nutrient Study. Data
were used to evaluate trends through time, assess nutrient loads from
watersheds throughout Iowa, and to develop the nutrient budgets by
watershed.
• Stream data were also used to calculate a Water
Quality Index (WQI) for streams in Iowa. The WQI, developed by the National
Sanitation Foundation, is a standardized method for comparing water quality
from various waterbodies. The WQI uses dissolved oxygen, fecal bacteria,
pH, BOD, temperature, total phosphate, nitrate, turbidity, and total solids
to calculate a value.
• DNR is working with 40 members of the Iowa Water
Pollution Control Association to collect monthly grab samples of their
outfall from their facilities as part of the Nutrient Study. Samples are
analyzed for ammonia-N, nitrate+nitrite-N, Total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total
phosphorus, orthophosphorus, and chloride. Data are used in the nutrient
budget for determining wastewater inputs.
The U.S. Geological Survey and DNR published a journal
article on the pharmaceutical sampling done during 2001.
Emerging Issues
• In FY03, 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.
• 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 worked with UHL to begin the development of a
bacteria DNA library for future source tracking efforts. A CGRER (Center for
Global and Regional Environmental Research) Grant to implement DNA
source-tracking project for the Upper Iowa Watershed was completed August of
2003. For this project, DNA ribotyping was used to identify sources of
bacteria in the watershed. Fecal samples were collected from six potential
source categories: cattle, swine, human, deer, goose, and raccoon. DNA
ribotyping successfully discriminated between human and cattle bacterial
sources. However, the number of E. coli strains was insufficient to
distinguish between the other animal sources.
• The Lake Darling Bacteria Source Tracking Project was
initiated in 2003 to identify sources of elevated bacteria at the beach. A
variety of methods, including DNA ribotyping, multiple antibiotic resistance
analysis, pathogen analysis for Salmonella spp., and E. coli
0157:H7, and sterols, caffeine, and cotinine analyses, are being used.
Fecal samples were collected from five potential source categories: cattle,
swine, human, deer, and goose. Ten sampling events will be completed across
all flow regimes to determine if different bacteria sources are present
during different times of the year.
Public Outreach
• Fourth Annual Water Monitoring Conference will be held on February 18-19,
2004, at the Scheman Center in Ames, Iowa.
• 45 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 Third Annual Volunteers in Natural Resources Conference was held
November of 2003 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. Featured at lunch was a presentation
on Project AWARE.
• IOWATER data were summarized
in an IOWATER Status Report 2003. The report covers data collected and
submitted from 2000 – 2002. Copies of the report were made available to
IOWATER monitors through the website and upon request.
• Staff participated in the Governor’s Water Quality
Summit on November 24 at the Scheman Center at Iowa State University.
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.
• Web site was revamped and is now compliant with the
Americans With Disabilities Act.
• 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, and to also provide input into the Department’s Nutrient Study.
The committee met February 19, 2003 and June 26, 2003 in Ames.
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