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Following is a list of activities of the DNR water
monitoring program in FY05 (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005).
Data Collection
Iowa Interior Streams: Chemical/Physical Monitoring
•During FY04, 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. Chloroacetanilide herbicide degradates were monitored at
the 16 long-term stations during July, September, November, January, March,
and May. Sulfonyl urea and imidazolinone herbicides were collected in
July, August, October, December, January, March, May, and June for 15
ambient/ambient-city sites only. 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-seven monitoring sites were monitored upstream and downstream of
Iowa’s larger cities (14 cities). During 2004, these sites were monitored
monthly. Priority pollutants were monitored at these sites on a monthly
basis from April through July. City sites are: Cedar Rapids, Des Moines,
Mason City, Iowa City, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Ottumwa, Marshalltown, Fort
Dodge, Spencer, Ames, Charles City, Shenandoah, Sac City, and Independence.
• Using state cooperative funds, USGS is sampling 10
“Big Rivers” in Iowa on a monthly plus event basis in order to develop load
estimations of contaminants leaving the state. Sites are located near USGS
gages and near the outlet of the river from the state.
• MTBE and related analytes were monitored at
city sites during winter months (Jan-Mar).
• The DNR and USGS began a
small pilot project to look at the fate and transport of pharmaceuticals in
4 mile creek near Ankeny, Iowa (a wastewater dominated stream).
• Pharmaceuticals were
analyzed in samples taken from 10 stations in September, October, December,
February, April, June. Analytes include:
|
Sulfamethazine |
Lincomycin |
|
Sulfadimethoxine |
Trimethoprim |
|
Sulfamethoxazole |
Tylosin |
|
Sulfathiazole |
Acetominophin |
|
Carbamazepine |
Ibuprofin |
• DNR decreased suspended sediment
monitoring due to budget constraints. Sampling at Iowa River at Wapello and
Skunk River at Augusta was continued, while Walnut Creek at Vandalia, Walnut
Creek at Prairie City, Squaw Creek at Colfax, Maquoketa River at Maquoketa,
Bloody Run Creek near Marquette were dropped for this fiscal year. Goals
are to resume suspended sediment monitoring at some of these sites next year
if budget allows.
• During the end of FY05
and beginning of FY06, the DNR and USGS will deploy 7 YSI multiparameter
meters to measure basic field parameters (DO, pH, Temp, conductivity, and
turbidity) on a real-time basis from April through October. Data will be
sent to the USGS office and uploaded to their web site.
• In cooperation with the
National Park Service, Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation
District, NRCS, and DNR fisheries, an intensive watershed monitoring effort
was initiated on the Yellow River in northeastern Iowa.
Twelve sample locations in
the Yellow River watershed were selected for water-quality monitoring.
Weekly sampling occurred from May 20, 2004, through October 31, 2004.
• In cooperation with the
National Park Service, a small stream in Herbert Hoover National Park near
West Branch, Iowa was monitored during the summer of 2004 to begin to
establish baseline conditions prior to major stream reconstruction efforts.
The reconstruction will attempt to bring the stream back to more natural
conditions and will include re-grading of stream banks, habitat restoration,
and hydrologic modifications.
• The DNR is working with the Institute of
Hydroscience at the University of Iowa to examine sediment movement in Clear
Creek watershed near Iowa City, Iowa. The project goals are:
1) Identify appropriate sampling locations on
Clear Creek watershed and install instrumentation to determine sediment
concentrations. 2) Determine isotopic signature of sediment samples for the
purpose of isolating potential source areas, reference areas, and
investigate carbon/nitrogen delivery from the uplands to riverine
ecosystems. 3) Use statistical techniques to analyze the factors that
influence the variation in isotopic signatures in sediments of Clear Creek.
• DNR is contracting with the University of
Iowa to determine the occurrence and fate of endocrine disruptors in
wastewater effluent and biosolids. Project goals include: Developing
analytical capabilities for endocrine disrupting pollutants in difficult
sample matrices (sewage, sludge, etc.). Determine the relative
concentrations of the pollutants at various stages of sewage treatment.
Determine the relative contribution of these pollutants from industrial
waste vs. normal domestic waste. Determine the relative contribution of
these pollutants from the UI Hospitals vs. normal domestic waste.
• DNR is working with the City of Cedar Rapids,
COE College in Cedar Rapids to determine stormwater effects on an urban
coldwater trout stream. Intensive monitoring during the summer of 2004
included analysis of E. coli bacteria, temperature, chloride, nutrients, and
determination of chlordane in sediment using an immunoassay kit (other
parameters were analyzed by the state lab). Work will continue in 2005.
• DNR – Water Monitoring Section is conducting
follow-up monitoring at sites where either a potential impairment has been
identified or where a TMDL has been completed:
o
Rock Creek in Clinton County –
TMDL finished in 2002; regular sampling downstream of new wetland
constructed to reduce ammonia levels.
o
Clear Creek in Iowa County –
Volunteer monitoring determined high levels of chloride, bacteria, and
nutrients from the headwaters. Source appears to be unsewered community
discharging directly to agricultural tile
o
Union County – unsewered
community has been sewered recently – monitoring documents improvements in
bacteria in Creston, Iowa
o
Carter Lake – Iowa and Nebraska
conducted monitoring on cyanobacteria toxins following a reported death of
waterfowl. Monitoring indicated high levels of microcystin into the winter
months. Monitoring will continue in 2005.
• The DNR is continuing bacteria monitoring on 5 class
A streams weekly during recreational season. Sites included the Cedar River
downstream of Cedar Rapids, Volga River near Elkport, Yellow River near
Volney, Wapsipinicon River near Independence, and Black Hawk Creek near
Waterloo.
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.
• R-EMAP, a probabilistic survey of Iowa’s stream resources, to be completed
over a five-year period, continued in 2004. 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.
Monitoring was conducted the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab. 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
ecoregions, 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 2004,
45 of the sites were monitored.
•
IDNR received a grant from EPA for Wadeable Stream
Assessment, which has allowed the DNR to work with Iowa State University to
gather habitat data at all 45 sites using both the EMAP and the DNR habitat
protocols. Comparison of the protocols will be undertaken at the conclusion
of the REMAP cycle.
Border Rivers
• Great Rivers EMAP began in 2004. The USGS received funding from EPA to
conduct monitoring on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. LTRMP took the
lead on the Mississippi River. USGS was the lead on the Missouri River
project. Nebraska was the lead for fisheries work, Iowa was the lead for
biological monitoring/habitat, and USGS was the lead for water chemistry.
Iowa Lakes
• A total of 132 lakes were monitored 3 times per year. Sampling in 2004
represented year five 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, total organic carbon, and particle size distribution. Biological
parameters are phytoplankton composition and zooplankton composition.
New Parameters in 2004 included the determination of
metals and priority pollutants in lake sediments and cyanobacteria toxins (microcystin).
• Lakes were also sampled for the pesticide Balance (isoxaflutole).
DNR staff also collected
early season (ice-out) and late season (October) samples at Avenue of the
Saints Lake, Badger Lake, Beaver Lake, Dog Creek Lake, Don Williams Lake,
Eldred Sherwood Lake, Hawthorn Lake, Hickory Grove Lake, Ingham Lake, Lake
Casey, Lake Darling, Lake Hendricks, Lake Iowa, Lake Miami, Lower Pine Lake,
Rathbun Reservoir, Red Haw Lake, Rodgers Park Lake, Swan Lake, Three Mile
Lake, Twelve Mile Lake, Union Grove Lake, Upper Pine Lake, Wilson Lake, and
Yellow Smoke Park Lake.
Sampling at TMDL lakes by UHL was used to compare and
contrast laboratory results between 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 2004, 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 2004, an additional 60 wells from the
alluvial aquifers of the state 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 2004,
water levels measurements were dropped due to budget constraints. The IDNR
plans to resume water level measurements in 2005.
• During FY04, monitoring
well nests were sampled for water quality on an annual basis. These well
nests are:
1.
Westfield School in Robbins, Iowa
2.
Rutland Marsh, Humboldt County
3.
Briggs Woods, Hamilton County
• UHL, Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination,
USGS, and DNR began planning for a private well monitoring program that is
similar to the SWRL (Statewide Rural Water Well Survey) completed in the
late 1980s and early 1990s.
IDNR Beaches
• State-owned beaches.
In 2004, most of the 37 state-owned beaches were scheduled for monitoring
between April 15 and October 31. However, due to budget constraints
monitoring did not begin until the week before Memorial Day (May 24th).
Fourteen of the state beaches were monitored on a shortened season from the
week before Memorial Day through Labor Day because they had one or fewer high readings
from 2000-2003. These fourteen beaches included: Black Hawk, Blue Lake,
Brushy Creek, Green Valley, Gull Point, Lacey-Keosauqua, Lake Ahquabi, Lake
Anita, Lake Keomah, Lake Manawa, McIntosh Woods, Pleasant Creek, Red Haw,
and Triboji. University of Iowa
Hygienic Laboratory personnel collected weekly samples at 37 state-owned
beaches. Water was taken from nine locations at each beach – at three
transects along the beach (the center and two ends of the beach) and at
three water depths (ankle-, knee- and chest-deep). The water taken from
these locations was mixed to form one composite sample for each beach. All
of the beach samples were analyzed for E. coli and enterococci bacteria. Previously, the
state-owned beach samples were also analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria.
However, fecal coliforms were removed from the
program in 2004 because four years worth of data determined a strong
relation between coliform bacteria and E. coli at Iowa’s beaches.
Additionally, water quality standards for Iowa’s recreational waters changed
from fecal coliform bacteria to E. coli bacteria in 2003.
•
Field parameters at beaches
included dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and water and air temperature.
Observations were made on % cloud cover, wave height, wind speed, wind
direction, number of bathers, number of animals, and number of boats.
County beaches.
Weekly water samples were
taken by county conservation staff at 34 beaches from Memorial Day through
Labor Day. County conservation staff were trained by Iowa DNR Water
Monitoring staff to use the same sampling protocol employed at state-owned
beaches (described above). County beach samples were analyzed for E. coli bacteria only.
• Based on data from 2000 through 2004, 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, Lake Geode, Lake of Three Fires, Prairie Rose, Rock Creek, and
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 second high sample was
required during the following week before a swimming advisory sign was
posted at the 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, Lake Geode, Lake Macbride, 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) at
http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu .
The DNR in cooperation with the Center for Health
Effects of Environmental Contamination, and University of Iowa Dept of
Public Health began a pilot epidemiology study. The goal of this study is
to begin to understand the relation between E. coli levels at Iowa beaches
and potential health risk to the public. Three beaches in Johnson County,
Iowa (Sandy Beach, West Overlook, and Lake Macbride beach) will be sampled
daily for 6 weeks in June and July for indicator bacteria and beach goers
will be asked to participate in a survey of illnesses that occur during that
same time period.
Wetlands
• DNR is working on updating the NWI (National Wetland Inventory) for Iowa
since the first map was created in the 1980s.
During FY05, the entire Des Moines Lobe portion of the state (north central
region) will be updated.
• 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 began in April of 2004 and has met four times (April, July, September,
and March) during the past year. A wetland biologist was hired in April of
2004. A quality assurance project plan has been submitted to EPA as of
April of 2005. The sampling frame was delivered to EPA ORD in April of 2005
and sampling will begin in early summer of 2005 in north central Iowa.
• IDNR received a wetland
development grant to develop a rapid assessment method for Iowa fens. Work
in early 2005 will include review of existing GIS data on fen locations to
determine whether or not the 1990 inventory is still accurate.
• Submitted proposal for a
wetland program demonstration grant in partnership with wildlife section to
EPA’s Washington DC office, still waiting to hear back on acceptance.
Precipitation
• IDNR water monitoring program continued discussions with EPA and the IDNR
ambient air monitoring program on precipitation monitoring needs.
Citizen Volunteer Monitoring (IOWATER)
• To date, more than 2,000 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.
• Since 2001 total of 556 participated in Advanced Workshops, including 227
at the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Indexing Workshop, 301 at the Bacteria
Monitoring Workshop,15 at the Secondary Educator’s Module, and 13 at the
Water Ecology Module.
• More than 2,600 sites have been registered by IOWATER monitors
representing more than 13,000 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 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 55 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 six statewide snapshot
samplings since October 2002. Statewide snapshots are held three times a
year in May, July, and October. The October events were held in conjunction
with National Water Monitoring Day on October 18. More than 729 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 volunteers collected water quality data for the greatest
number of sites for an individual state as part of World Water Monitoring
Day.
• 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 second-annual Project AWARE (A Watershed
Awareness River Expedition), an IOWATER-sponsored, weeklong canoe trip down
an interior Iowa river was held on the Des Moines River during the third
week of June in 2004. Plans were to canoe 107 river miles between Gotch
State Park near Humboldt and Prospect Park in Des Moines. Dangerously high
water levels, led to alternative plans. Instead of floating the river,
volunteers traveled throughout the watershed clearing brush from prairies
and hauling garbage from lakes and creeks. Volunteers also did water quality
monitoring along the course of the river. During the second annual Project
AWARE, 147 volunteers paddled 17 river/creek miles and 4 lakes pulling out 2
tons of scrap metal, 50 pounds of aluminum, 34 tires, 21 propane tanks, 1
refrigerator, and 1 railroad boxcar door. Ninety-five percent of the trash
was recycled. The success and overwhelming response of volunteers from this
journey has already spawned plans for a 2005 Project AWARE down the Little
Sioux River.
STORET Database/IOWATER/EDAS Database
• Data Currently in STORET:
• Ambient Program (Streams)
Data through Dec. 2004 is in STORET.
• Beach Data
Data in STORET through Dec 2004.
• TMDL Data
Data in STORET through Dec 2004.
• Floyd/Mitchell Data
Data in STORET 1993-Dec 2004.
• USGS groundwater data
Have electronic data, not in STORET yet – goal is end of FY05.
• Sny Magill and Bloody Run samples
In STORET through December 2004.
• IDNR Animal Feeding Operations
Data from sites
with groundwater monitoring requirements in STORET.
• 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
• Wastewater 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)
Portion of the 30+ years of data in 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.
Hired Gold Systems, Inc. to provide a web-based
data entry routine for STORET.
• 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.
• 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.
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. Analysis of water quality trends for nutrients continues through
FY05 and into FY06 in preparation for nutrient standard development for the
state.
• 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 water bodies. The WQI uses dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform
bacteria, pH, BOD, temperature, total phosphate, nitrate, turbidity, and
total solids to calculate a value. In 2004, a
new WQI was developed for Iowa that reflects the types of contaminants most
commonly found in Iowa waters.
• IDNR began a pilot study
with 25 municipalities to collect chloride, TDS, ammonia, nitrate+nitrite,
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, and orthophosphorus data on
wastewater effluent, stream water above and below the outfall, city tap
water during February of 2005. During the summer of 2005, this monitoring
will be expanded to 100 municipalities that are chosen to provide a
representative mix of facilities, source water, land form settings, and
contributing industries.
• 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. IDNR
collected early and late season samples in 2004 to help identify
pre-application and post-harvest levels of Balance in Iowa lakes. This
sampling will continue in 2005.
• 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.
• The Lake Darling Bacteria Source Tracking 319 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. Early results showed a high level of
water samples with bacteria in an “unknown” category. Additional library
samples taken during the fall of 2004 have improved the ability to
discriminate between various species. A revised report will be issued in
2005.
Public Outreach
• Fifth Annual Water Monitoring Conference was held on January 13-14, 2005,
at the Scheman Center in Ames, Iowa.
• 48 Technical and non-technical Fact Sheets have been developed to
highlight various elements of the monitoring program.
• The IOWATER newsletter 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.
• An IOWATER Executive
Summary was written to highlight accomplishments of the program from
2000-2003.
• The Fourth Annual Volunteers in Natural Resources Conference was held
November of 2004 at the Airport Holiday Inn in 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.
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) are being developed or completed
for all components of the Ambient Water Monitoring Program. Currently, QAPPs
are underway for IOWATER, wetland monitoring.
• 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 regular basis (at least annually) to review progress of the program
and provide direction, and to also provide input into the Department’s
Nutrient Study. During FY05, a smaller group of the TAC has been meeting to
discuss lake monitoring issues.
• The first draft of Iowa’s Water Monitoring Strategy
was completed in November of 2004. Revisions have been on-going and a
second draft will be completed in April of 2005.
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