A conversion of several factors, some natural and some self-imposed, is leading to recognition that the State of Iowa needs a plan to safeguard groundwater reserves in the future.

The field of hydrogeology (hydro- meaning water, and -geology meaning the study of the earth) is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the subsurface. Groundwater can be an abstract idea to folks because it is occurs below ground and cannot be directly observed.

Please enjoy an online copy of our magazine, The IGS Geode, showcasing some of the Iowa Geological Survey’s activities during the past year.

Anyone who has driven across Iowa knows that the state is dominated by agriculture. But among the fields lined with corn, soybean, and livestock, a new feature is becoming more common: wetlands.

Evidence of how Iowa has evolved over Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history is preserved in the rocks. The job of an IGS geologist is to study these rocks using a variety of tools and methods and from the data collected continue to reveal and refine our understanding of that history.

The IGS monitors groundwater levels in 48 wells scattered across Iowa that are completed in most of the major bedrock aquifers. These wells provide a historical record of groundwater levels and help evaluate aquifer sustainability.

Since 2019, the Iowa Geological Survey led by Matthew Streeter has been quantifying reductions in nitrate, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations at multiple sites in Keokuk, Scott, and Wapello counties in Iowa.

For the past 20 years Iowa Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition) has been cleaning up Iowa’s rivers with the help of hordes of volunteers and a few dedicated staff members. The Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) has participated just about every year, from helping haul trash to giving educational programs.

Iowa relies on groundwater, especially unconfined aquifers, for drinking water and agriculture. Climate change affects recharge and sustainability. Alluvial aquifers face risks from drought and demand. Strategies like floodplain features and better pumping management enhance sustainability.

Central Iowa was glaciated by the Des Moines Lobe, which advanced quickly and lacked features like drumlins, eskers, and kames. Scientists determine the timing of ice advance by radiocarbon dating organic materials in glacial sediment. The calibrated ages show that the Des Moines Lobe reached Des Moines around 15,700 to 16,000 years ago and advanced rapidly at a rate of 1-2 km per year.