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.

Shallow Lakes in Iowa: Water Quality and Biological Assessments, 2008

This monthly report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is about the water quality management of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes.

Rubber Buffings for Bridge Approach Expansion Joints, MLR-01-01, 2001

Many of the bridges in the state of Iowa have type ‘CF’, ‘EE’, or ‘EF’ expansion joints installed in the bridge approach slabs. These joints, which are typically 4” wide, are currently filled with a foam expansion joint material that is covered with a sealant. Over time the sealant begins to pull off of the walls of the joint and it ultimately fails. The joint, which is now exposed to the weather, is then filled with water and solids. The foam joint material, which is lighter than water, floats out of the joint onto the highway. This foam resembles a large 4” X 6” plank and poses a threat to motorists. A possible solution to this problem would be to replace the foam material with rubber buffings. Rubber buffings are a by-product of the tire retread industry.

Effect of CA-Montmorillonite Expansion on X-Ray Diffraction Intensities, Progress Report, HR-111, 1966

The most abundant clay mineral group in Iowa soils is montmorillonite, most commonly calcium-saturated (Hanway et al, 1960). The calcium montmorillonite-water system was therefore selected for detailed X-ray study. Montmorillonite is unusual among minerals in that it has an expanding lattice in the c direction. That is, upon wetting with water, the individual silicate layers separate to allow entry of water, and the mineral expands. Characteristics of this expansion are readily studied by means of X-ray diffraction: the X-ray diffraction angle gives the average layer-to-layer "d001" spacing for any given moisture condition; the sharpness of the diffraction peak is a measure of uniformity of the d001 spacing; and the intensity of the peak relates to uniformity of the d001 spacing and in addition to the electron density distribution within the repeating elements. The latter is embodied in the "structure factor".

Iowa Drainage Law Manual, TR-497, 2005

The relationship between Iowa’s roads and drainage developed when rural roads were originally constructed. The land parallel to roadways was excavated to create road embankments. The resulting ditches provided an outlet for shallow tiles to drain nearby fields for farming. Iowa’s climate and terrain are nearly ideal for farming, and more than 90 percent of the land suits the purpose. Much of the land, however, needs to be artificially drained to achieve maximum productivity. Most of this drainage has been accomplished with an extensive network of levees, open ditches, and underground tiles. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that as early as 1920 approximately nine million acres of Iowa farm land had been artificially drained or needed to be. Couple this drainage system with Iowa’s extensive surface transportation system—approximately 100,000 miles of roads and streets, 90,000 on local systems— and potential for conflicts will naturally arise. This is particularly true with urban expansion resulting in residential and commercial development of rural land. This manual contains summaries of and references to the laws most relevant to drainage in Iowa. It also includes frequently asked questions about transportation agencies’ responsibilities related to drainage. Typical policies and agreement forms used by agencies to address drainage issues are illustrated and a glossary of common terms is included.

Water Rights and Allocation, January 2010

Iowa Department of Natural Resources commitment to improving the management of both the quantity and quality of water resources, a committee was formed to assess the current policies and practices regarding water rights and allocation, and to make recommendations that would assist the state in moving toward a sustainable future. Water allocation concerns have been raised again in the past few years as increases in the demand for water are projected due to ethanol production, geothermal heating-cooling, and potential irrigation expansion.