Quantitative Mapping of Waterways Characteristics at Bridge Sites, TR-569, 2008

Iowa state, county, and city engineering offices expend considerable effort monitoring the state’s approximately 25,000 bridges, most of which span small waterways. In fact, the need for monitoring is actually greater for bridges over small waterways because scour processes are exacerbated by the close proximity of abutments, piers, channel banks, approach embankments, and other local obstructions. The bridges are customarily inspected biennially by the county’s road department bridge inspectors. It is extremely time consuming and difficult to obtain consistent, reliable, and timely information on bridge-waterway conditions for so many bridges. Moreover, the current approaches to gather survey information is not uniform, complete, and quantitative. The methodology and associated software (DIGIMAP) developed through the present project enable a non-intrusive means to conduct fast, efficient, and accurate inspection of the waterways in the vicinity of the bridges and culverts using one technique. The technique combines algorithms image of registration and velocimetry using images acquired with conventional devices at the inspection site. The comparison of the current bridge inspection and monitoring methods with the DIGIMAP methodology enables to conclude that the new procedure assembles quantitative information on the waterway hydrodynamic and morphologic features with considerable reduced effort, time, and cost. It also improves the safety of the bridge and culvert inspections conducted during normal and extreme hydrologic events. The data and information are recorded in a digital format, enabling immediate and convenient tracking of the waterway changes over short or long time intervals.

Iowa Drainage Laws (Annotated), HR-46 and Iowa Highway Research Board Bulletin No. 6, 1957

In the preparation of this compilation of drainage laws of Iowa, an attempt has been made to include those sections of the Code to which reference is frequently required by the State Highway Commission, Boards of Supervisors and County Engineers in the conduct of highway and road administration as it is affected by the Iowa drainage laws. Of necessity some Code provisions which have a bearing on the principal subject were omitted. Enactments of the 56th General Assembly which modify existing code sections have been included as part of the regular text of the Code sections included in this publication. THE USER IS CAUTIONED THAT THESE CODE SECTIONS, AS MODIFIED BY THE 56th GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ARE NOT A PART OF THE 1954 CODE OF IOWA AND ARE OFFICIAL ONLY INSOFAR AS THEY ARE PRINTED IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION ACTS OF THE 56TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SINCE THE 57TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS IN SESSION DURING THE PRINTING OF THIS PUBLICATION, ENACTMENTS OF THAT BODY WHICH AMEND OR REPEAL SECTIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE INCLUDED IN THE BACK OF THIS VOLUME ON THE PINK-COLORED PAPER. THE USER IS CAUTIONED IN USING THIS VOLUME TO REFER TO THE TABLE OF SECTIONS REPEALED OR AMENDED, ON THE PINK-COLORED PAPER AT THE BACK OF THIS VOLUME. This publication is offered with the hope and belief that it will prove to be of value and assistance to those concerned with the problems of administering a highway, road and drainage system.

Comparison of Setting Time Measured Using Ultrasonic Wave Propagation with Saw-Cutting Times on Pavements, TR-675, 2015

At present, there is little fundamental guidance available to assist contractors in choosing when to schedule saw cuts on joints. To conduct pavement finishing and sawing activities effectively, however, contractors need to know when a concrete mixture is going to reach initial set, or when the sawing window will open. Previous research investigated the use of the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) method to predict the saw-cutting window for early entry sawing. The results indicated that the method has the potential to provide effective guidance to contractors as to when to conduct early entry sawing. The aim of this project was to conduct similar work to observe the correlation between initial setting and conventional sawing time. Sixteen construction sites were visited in Minnesota and Missouri over a two-year period. At each site, initial set was determined using a p-wave propagation technique with a commercial device. Calorimetric data were collected using a commercial semi-adiabatic device at a majority of the sites. Concrete samples were collected in front of the paver and tested using both methods with equipment that was set up next to the pavement during paving. The data collected revealed that the UPV method looks promising for early entry and conventional sawing in the field, both early entry and conventional sawing times can be predicted for the range of mixtures tested.

2010 Iowa Youth Survey State of Iowa Results, June 2011

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) collaborated with schools in Iowa to conduct the 2014 Iowa Youth Survey (IYS). In a series of surveys that have been completed every two or three years since 1975. The survey is conducted with students in grades 6, 8, and 11 attending Iowa public and private schools. The IYS includes questions about students’ behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, as well as their perceptions of peer, family, school, neighborhood, and community environments.

1014-008 Walnut Creek Watershed Final Report

In 2004, Walnut Creek was placed on the 303d list of Impaired Waters due to a low biotic index (lack of aquatic life) during IDNR stream sampling events. Sediment originating from agriculture, streambank erosion, and channelization were listed as the most likely sources impacting aquatic life. In an effort to address these concerns, a preliminary study was completed of the multi-county watershed to identify priority areas. A Watershed Development & Planning Assistance Grant was then funded by the IDALS-DSC to conduct a detailed assessment of these prioritized sub-watersheds. The impending assessment of the watershed and the stream corridor revealed ample opportunities to address gully, sheet and rill erosion while addressing in-stream water velocity issues that plagued the riparian corridor. A comprehensive plan was developed comprised of a variety of best management practices to address the identified concerns. In 2009, this plan was submitted to the WIRB Board by the East Pottawattamie and Montgomery SWCDs and $489,455 was awarded to address concerns identified during watershed assessment inquiries. Despite adverse weather conditions, which has hampered conservation construction recently, this project has held fast to pre-project goals due to the fortitude of the project sponsors and the overwhelming participation by the watershed landowners. Unfortunately, state budget shortfalls are bringing project progress to a halt. As specified in the original WIRB funding request, practice funding for Year 3 was to come from the Division of Soil Conservation’s Watershed Protection Fund (WSPF). Due to Iowa’s budgetary restraints, the Walnut Creek WSPF application, which was submitted this spring, was not funded since no new applications in the state were funded. If funded again, this grant will serve as the critical step in continuing what is destined to be a true watershed success story.

Highway Maintenance Concept Vehicle Final Report: Phase Three, 2001

This report documents Phase III of a four-phase project. The goals of the project are to study the feasibility of using advanced technology from other industries to improve he efficiency and safety of winter highway maintenance vehicle operations, and to provide travelers with the level of service defined by policy during the winter season at the least cost to the taxpayers. The results of the first phase of the research were documented in the Concept Highway Maintenance Vehicle Final Report: Phase One dated April 1997, which describes the desirable functions of a concept maintenance vehicle and evaluates its feasibility. Phase I concluded by establishing the technologies that would be assembled and tested on the prototype vehicles in Phase II. The primary goals of phase II were to install the selected technologies on the prototype winter maintenance vehicles and to conduct proof of concept in advance of field evaluations planned for Phase III. This Phase III final report documents the work completed since the end of Phase II. During this time period, the Phase III work plan was completed and the redesigned friction meter was field tested. A vendor meeting was held to discuss future private sector participation and the new design for the Iowa vehicle. In addition, weather and roadway condition data were collected from the roadway weather information systems at selected sites in Iowa and Minnesota, for comparison to the vehicles' onboard temperature sensors. Furthermore, the team received new technology, such as the mobile Frensor unit, for bench testing and later installation.

1109-003 Coe Creek Watershed Final Report

The city of Elliott has had an increase in nitrate levels in their community water supply located in the Coe Creek Watershed. They have been working with the IDNR Source Water Protection (SWP) Programs to conduct site investigations and have formed a SWP Planning Team. This Team has been reviewing the investigation findings, formed an action plan and studied different Best Management Practices (BMPs). After considering the BMPs the SWP Team made a recommendation to the Elliott City Council which included native grass seeding and a shallow water wetland. The Team also held an informational meeting for the citizens of Elliott. The goal of this meeting was to inform and educate the public of the Team findings and BMPs. The Elliott City Council approved the restoration of a shallow wetland with a native grass buffer. This whole project is 27 acres and includes a shallow water wetland with native grass buffer. This would be a long term method to reduce nitrates in the city wells. Elliott is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District, Pheasants Forever, the Montgomery County Conservation Board, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in the restoration of the shallow water wetland and native grass buffer.

Eighty-Sixth General Assembly House Code of Ethics (House Resolution 5) Adopted 2-3-2015, February 3, 2015

Eighty-Sixth General Assembly House Code of Ethics (House Resolution 5) Adopted 2-3-2015. Every legislator and legislative employee has a duty to uphold the integrity and honor of the general assembly, to encourage respect for the law and for the general assembly, and to observe the house code of ethics. The members and employees of the house have a responsibility to conduct themselves so as to reflect credit on the general assembly, and to inspire the confidence, respect, and trust of the public. The following rules are adopted pursuant to chapter 68B of the Code, to assist the members and employees in the conduct of their activities.

Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of the MIT Scan T2 for PCC Pavement Thickness, MLR 14-01, 2015

The MIT Scan T2 device has been implemented in Iowa as a new method for determining PCC pavement thickness compliance. The T2 device utilizes a magnetic pulse induction technology to measure the distance from a sensor to a metal target. The objective of this project was to conduct an interlaboratory study (ASTM C802) to determine the precision of the test.Fifteen MIT Scan T2 gauges and fifteen operators performed testing on three reference platforms and nine pavement locations of varying thicknesses. The testing was conducted on October 29, 2014 at two sites near Ames, Iowa. Usable data was obtained from every operator at all locations.