Following is a list of activities and accomplishments of the DNR monitoring program in FY02.

Data Collection
Iowa Interior Streams: Chemical/Physical Monitoring
• During FY01, 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. During FY01, the number of monthly monitoring stations was adjusted to 62, with 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 2001, these sites were monitored monthly. Priority pollutants were monitored at these sites on a monthly basis from April through July. This monitoring measures the impact of urban land use on Iowa’s rivers. Also includes the monitoring of glyphosate (roundup) during April-July.
• 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.
• Sulfate and chloride added as standard monthly parameters for the fixed monthly and upstream/downstream sites.

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 2001. 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 techniques were used in about 40 water bodies during 2001 to assess potential stream impairment.
• Fish and benthic macroinvertebrate indices of biological integrity (F-IBI and BM-IBI) have been proposed for Iowa.
• 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.
• Kurt Pontasch (UNI) is evaluating 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, will be completed over a four-year period, beginning 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.


Border Rivers
• No significant activities by the DNR water monitoring program. Meeting with EPA and Larry Shephard to discuss border river needs.
• Staff will be attending the EMAP Symposium 2002 (May 7-9, 2002) to discuss coordination of efforts on the “Great Rivers.”

Iowa Lakes
• A total of 132 lakes were monitored 3 times per year. Sampling in 2001 represented year two of a five-year study. This study design will document 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. In 2001, water samples from the lakes were also analyzed for the priority pollutants (herbicides, insecticides).
• Secchi depth measurements will be 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 2001, all 90 wells were sampled and tested for a wider range of contaminants that included volatile organic compounds and radionuclides. In addition, water from each well was age-dated to determine the potential for surface contaminants to reach underlying groundwater resources.
• 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.
• 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 phases of 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. Over the course of the next year, 120 wells will be sampled and tested for nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria.

IDNR Beaches
• Thirty-five state-owned beaches were monitored for indicator bacteria (fecal Coliform, Enterococci, E. coli) from May 21 through September 10, 2001. Four of the beaches were also sampled daily from June 11 through July 12 to determine daily variability of bacteria levels at these beaches. Daily beaches included Beeds Lake, Backbone, Big Creek, and Lewis and Clark. Unlike the previous year, field parameters were not included at the daily beach sites in 2001.
• Bacteria levels during 2001 were below the guidelines for most of the state beaches. Weekly sampling in 2001 showed a large range in bacteria levels, not only between beaches, but from week to week at a given beach. Beaches at five parks (Backbone, Beed’s Lake, Bobwhite, George Wyth, and Lake Darling) had geometric means that exceeded IDNR guidelines and were closed. An additional 22 beaches exceeded the one-time limits and had warning sign posted. Only seven state parks (Green Valley, Gull Point, Lake Ahquabi, Lake Anita, Lake Wapello, McIntosh Woods, Pleasant Creek and Union Grove) had bacterial levels that did not exceed any guidelines. During the 2001 season, beaches were closed 4% of the weeks monitored, beaches were open with warnings 9% of the weeks monitored, and open 87% of the weeks monitored.
• Assistance was provided to DNR Parks personnel through follow-up monitoring to identify sources of elevated bacteria at Backbone, George Wyth, and Bob White. Four tributary sites to Backbone Lake were monitored from June 11 through July 12. Three of the four sites were monitored daily for the three bacterial indicators, while the other site was monitored after rain events for the same parameters.
• Beach data was made available weekly on the DNR web site.
• The beach season in 2001 marked the first year that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources established bacterial guidelines for the beaches. Beaches were closed if the geometric mean exceeded 200 colonies per 100 milliliters for fecal coliform bacteria or 126 colonies per 100 milliliters for E. coli. Beaches were posted with warning signs stating swimming was not recommended if bacterial counts exceeded one-time guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency. Warning signs were posted when E. coli exceeded 235 CFU/100 ml, enterococci exceeded 60 CFU/100 ml, or fecal coliform exceeded 400 CFU/100 ml.
• 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. Total suspended sediment will also be analyzed each week at all beaches. Beaches will be monitored from April 1 through October 31, 2002. Field parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity) will be measured each week at all beaches. The weekly sample will be 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. All beaches will be posted with a general warning.

Wetlands
• Discussions with EPA on wetland monitoring needs. Working with GIS group to update wetlands inventory based on 2002 Color Infrared Orthophotography.

Precipitation
• Discussions with EPA on precipitation monitoring needs.

Citizen Volunteer Monitoring (IOWATER)
• 568 citizens were trained during 21 Level 1 workshops during 2001. To date, 1,058 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 117 participants were trained at four Level 2 IOWATER Basic Training workshops. Ninety-five citizens became certified as IOWATER Level 2 monitor upon completion of the Level 2 IOWATER Basic Training plus one Level 2 module.
• Three Level 2 modules were developed. Fifty-four participants were trained at three Soils module workshops; 77 citizens were trained at four Benthic Macroinvertebrate Indexing modules; and 103 citizens participated in the Standing Waters module.
• A pilot Secondary Education module was presented December 2001.
• More than 777 sites have been registered by IOWATER monitors in 86 counties, and more than 3,500 data records have been submitted.
• 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.
• 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. More than 22 watershed or county groups use the IOWATER program in their water-quality projects.
• Two new Level 2 modules are being developed for FY02. These include the Secondary Education module and a Water Ecology module.
• The Iowa Volunteer Water Monitoring Directory was completed and made available on the IOWATER web site.
• IOWATER web site continues to be developed, including on-line database (www.iowater.net).
• 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 rules were presented to the Environmental Protection Commission in January 2002, and three public hearings were held in Des Moines, Spencer, and Cedar Rapids. Public comments were accepted through March 7. A legislative briefing was held March 8. The rules will go before the EPC in May for approval.

STORET Database/IOWATER/EDAS Database
• In 2001, Iowa became the first state in the Midwest to implement STORET successfully and was the first state in the nation to provide direct access for the pubic and professionals through the Web.
• An Oracle Server was purchased and installed to manage Iowa’s STORET database. Site information is entered for ambient monitoring sites; water quality data from October, 1999 to present for the DNR/UHL stream sites is now in Iowa 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.
• The beach data from 2000 and 2001 was uploaded to STORET. Other databases close to being uploaded include the TMDL program monitoring data and data from the 10-year data record from Sny Magill watershed in Clayton County, Iowa.
• Additional data sets to be added to STORET have been identified and prioritized. Several data sets will be added in order for DNR to evaluate the impact of proposed nutrient criteria standards for Iowa.
• To enhance the selection of data from STORET, pick lists are being created (i.e., pesticides, bacteria, nutrients, metals).
• An ArcIMS application for STORET is in the test phase and will be available mid-summer.
• A web-based database was developed for IOWATER volunteer monitors to register monitoring sites, submit data, and access data from other monitors across Iowa. Over 777 sites in 86 counties have been registered to date and more than 3,500 data records have been submitted. This site includes utilization of Web mapping capabilities.
• Online data submittal developed for the IOWATER benthic macroinvertebrate indexing and standing water modules.

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 assist with its National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study. DNR is supporting monitoring at several stations that USGS cannot support during their 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 cooperating with DNR Fisheries to supplement the lake monitoring program by mapping the thickness of sediment accumulation in lakes and conducting special fish inventories.
• 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.
• Working with EPA to provide a balanced monitoring program based on “good science”.

Data Analysis/Interpretation
• Preliminary analysis of historical data from the 16 long-term stations (1986-1999) suggests that regional differences are apparent for important water quality parameters including nutrients.
• Nitrate concentrations were generally low in Iowa streams and rivers during 2000 because of drought-like conditions. Nitrate concentrations were nearly as low as those experienced during the drought years of 1988 and 1989. Levels rebounded in 2001.
• Assessment of historic nitrate information in relation to current levels shows that nitrate loads and concentrations appear considerably higher in the period 1978-1998 compared with the period 1945-1951 on the Cedar and Iowa rivers and also compared to 1945 levels on Des Moines River.
• Analysis of 2000 and 2001 ambient data by ecoregion.
• Evaluation of city data, looking at upstream versus downstream stations, and 2000 data versus 2001.
• Analysis of 2000 and 2001 lake data by parameter, ecoregion, land use, and size of watershed.
• Data collected as part of the Ambient Water Monitoring Program is being utilized in Iowa’s 305(b) report that is currently being written.

Emerging Issues
• Recent studies indicate that the breakdown products of some pesticides are detected more frequently and at higher concentrations than the parent compounds. Until now, difficult and expensive analytical procedures have not allowed for a comprehensive assessment of these compounds in Iowa’s water resources. In FY01, all monthly stream sites were monitored for the pesticide degradates of alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor, which have been three of the more commonly used herbicides in Iowa.
• In FY01, the relatively new herbicide isoxaflutole (Balance) was analyzed in samples from all monthly sites during the months of June, July, and August. The Iowa data on isoxaflutole continues to be the most extensive in the US, and EPA is utilizing this in its pesticide registration process.
• 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. Each site was sampled three times. 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.
• 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. Chad Kherli (Manchester Field Office) working on this with U of Missouri for Backbone State Park.

Public Outreach
• Second Annual Water Monitoring Conference was held on March 28, 2002, at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Roughly 200 people attended this conference.
• 21 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.
• Twenty-one IOWATER Level 1 workshops were held in 2001. In addition, four Level 2 Basic Training, four Benthic Macroinvertebrate Indexing, four Standing Waters, and three Soils module workshops were completed. Sixteen IOWATER Level 1 workshops, four IOWATER Level 2 Basic Training workshops, and fifteen Level 2 modules will be held in 2002.
• An article on Iowa’s Ambient Water Monitoring Program was published in the January/February 2002 issue of the Iowa Conservationist.
• The First Annual Volunteers in Natural Resources Conference was held November 16-17, 2001, at the Hotel Fort 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
Delineation of watersheds for ambient stream sites and all lakes being monitored. 1992 land use numbers were determined for each watershed. Determination of soils for all stream site watersheds.

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.