Iowa has approximately 700 miles of levees protecting towns, agricultural land, and other infrastructure. Assessing the condition of levees is a critical component to ensure they remain strong during flood events. The IGS recently established methods to use geophysics to image levees via a pilot investigation with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Geologic maps have tremendous societal, economic, and educational value. Bedrock and surficial geologic maps may be used to assist in aggregate resource evaluations, flood protection, hazard identification (sinkholes and karst), and water resource assessments.

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

For better and more accurate source water delineations, IGS is available to assist communities with their well head protection planning, especially in the crucial delineation of the well head protection area.

The Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) has significantly assisted in creating the drought plan by providing scientific expertise on the state’s regional characteristics and available hydrologic data.

Iowa Geological Survey staff recently completed 10 map products as part of the US Geological Survey STATEMAP program.

Check out IGS GeoCore if you have questions about what a certain type of rock looks like. You may be able to find your answer.

Waking up early or working into the early evening allows us to see some great sunrises and sunsets, and some field sites are located off the beaten track, enabling us to see wildflowers and native aquatic or bird species up close.

The key component needed for water farming is thinking about how water moves across your field and then designing a water management system that meets your goals.

If Iowa wants to get serious about doing its part to combat climate change then investments will need to be made to better understand the potential for geologic storage of CO2 in Iowa. . . . The IGS stands ready to lead this charge while collaborating with industry partners and lawmakers to make sure that Iowans do not miss the opportunity to play an integral role in securing a better climate future for our state.