A recent report on Iowa’s nutrient monitoring efforts highlights both the complexity and long-term value of evaluating nutrient levels in Iowa’s lakes, streams, and rivers. Developed jointly by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, with the support of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, the report is the first-of-its-kind in the state and includes a comprehensive list of surface water monitoring efforts specific to nutrients.
Iowa has a comprehensive water quality monitoring effort in place supported by a variety of partners. Monitoring results were central to identifying the practices highlighted in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy and have provided valuable information as the state has established priority watersheds.
The report discusses the complexity of nutrient monitoring and practices; for example, when changes are made within a target watershed, water quality improvements will likely be visible sooner in smaller watersheds compared to larger ones. Therefore, current monitoring efforts target a variety of scales. “While challenges exist, we believe continued nutrient monitoring is critical to understanding what Iowa can do to be successful,” says DNR Director Chuck Gipp.
The report is available here under the heading “Supplemental Documents.” For more information, contact Adam Schnieders.
