Iowa's Hidden Water Resources, 2001

Water fact sheet for Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Geological Bureau.

Bacteria in Iowa's Water Resources, 2003

This fact sheet answers questions such as, is it safe to swim in the water and who is monitoring the beaches in Iowa

Books, publications, project completion reports, M.S. and Ph. D. theses : research supported by Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, U.S. Public Law 88-379, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Water Resources Research, 1970

This book, published jointly by the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of American and Iowa State University presents the papers that were given at a symposium held in Ames, Iowa, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 1965 on the general topic of plant environment and efficient water use.

Geology and ground-water resources of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, 1970

The purposes of this report are to delineate and describe aquifers in Cerro Gordo County, evaluate the availability and quality of water in the aquifers, supply data on ground-water utilization, and determine the rate of growth and the magnitude of the cone of drawdown in the Mason City area. It includes photos and fold-out maps

Management Strategy for Iowa’s Water Resources, December 2007

In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)is responsible for regulating water allocation and use through the issuance of water use permits, but improvements are necessary in this process to assure sustainable supplies into the future. In recent years, there have not been resources dedicated at the state level to properly track and assess water quantity issues. Resources for water use and water quantity monitoring (groundwater level and surface gauges) have continued to decline and have resulted in data becoming outdated and in a format that is difficult to analyze in order to make good decisions.

Water planning law and government.

Water planning efforts typically identify problems and needs. But simply calling attention to issues is usually not enough to spur action; the end result of many well-intentioned planning efforts is a report that ends up gathering dust on a shelf. Vague recommendations like “Water conservation measures should be implemented” usually accomplish little by themselves as they don’t assign responsibility to anyone. Success is more likely when an implementation strategy — who can and should do what — is developed as part of the planning process. The more detailed and specific the implementation strategy, the greater the chance that something will actually be done. The question then becomes who has the legal authority or responsibility to do what? Are new laws and programs needed or can existing ones be used to implement the recommendations? ... This document is divided into four main parts. The first, “Carrots and Sticks” looks at two basic approaches — regulatory and non-regulatory — that can be, and are, used to carry out water policy. Both have advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. The second, “The powers of federal, state and local governments…,” looks at the constitutional powers the federal government and state and local governments have to carry out water policy. An initial look at the U. S. Constitution might suggest the federal government’s regulatory authority over water is limited but, in fact, its powers are very substantial. States have considerable authority to do a number of things but have to be mindful of any federal efforts that might conflict with those state efforts. And local governments can only do those things the state constitution or state legislature says they can do and must conform to any requirements or limitations on those powers that are contained in the enabling acts. Parts three and four examine in more detail the main programs and agencies at the federal level as well as Iowa’s state and local levels and the roles they play in national and state water policy.

Comprehensive Water Planning In Iowa: Past Efforts, February 2009, December 24, 2012

This document looks at some of Iowa’s more comprehensive, statewide water planning efforts that addressed all aspects of water or a major water issue such as water quality.

Iowa’s Water Planning History, 2009, December 26, 2012

Since 1978 when the Water Plan ’78 was published, there have been no truly comprehensive water planning efforts initiated. The ’85 Water Plan and the ’87 Groundwater Protection Strategy were significant efforts that resulted in real advancements in water resource protection but were not truly comprehensive in nature. Other efforts, such as the Section 208 (CWA) plans, the 2000 Nonpoint Source Management Plan, and various conservation and recreation planning efforts that involve various aspects of water have been completed but, like the ’85 Water Plan, were not comprehensive in nature.

Planning for Water Quality, July 2012

The following document serves two purposes. First, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a state to develop an approved Non-point Source Management Plan (NPSMP or Plan) that encompasses the nine key elements, described in full in Appendix A, to be eligible for federal Clean Water Act Section 319 funding. Second, the Plan serves as a representation of Iowa’s vision, goals, objectives and potential action steps to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality over the next five to ten years. This plan is not intended to be, nor should it be, limited to the Department of Natural Resources or Iowa’s Section 319 Program, but rather reflects the collective efforts and intents of the core partners and stakeholder groups that worked together to develop the goals identified herein and programmatic means of achieving those goals.

Investigation of the Department of Natural Resources Response to Water Pollution complaints involving Lynndana Acres Subdivision, 1998

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

Watershed Planning Advisory Council Annual Report January 2015

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations made in its 2013 legislative report, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.

Watershed Planning Advisory Council Annual Report July 2013

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations made in its 2013 legislative report, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.

Watershed Planning Advisory Council Annual Report January 31, 2012

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations to legislature, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.

Watershed Planning Advisory Council Final Interim Report To The Iowa Legislature, December 1, 2010

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations to legislature, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.