Summary
Through STATEMAP, the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) is delivering geologic maps that directly inform transportation safety, groundwater management, and aggregate resource planning. County-scale mapping products provide the foundational framework for hazard assessments and water resource studies critical to Iowa’s infrastructure and communities.
STATEMAP
- Hazard Mapping & Infrastructure:
- County-scale bedrock and surficial geologic maps were essential in completing a hazard and sinkhole assessment for the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
- Provided data to improve planning and reduce risks along critical transportation corridors.
- Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping:
- Combined bedrock elevation maps and Quaternary thickness maps with county mapping.
- Produced groundwater vulnerability maps for Benton and Black Hawk Counties.
- Helps local officials identify areas where wells may be at greater risk of contamination or drought stress.
- Water Resources (Muscatine County):
- Ongoing mapping is assessing the Cleona Channel, a 300-foot-deep buried bedrock channel filled with alternating glacial till and sand/gravel.
- These sand and gravel deposits are heavily used for water supply, yet their connectivity and long-term resource potential were poorly understood until this project.
- Aggregate Resource Potential:
- Mapping provides critical data to evaluate and plan for future sand, gravel, and aggregate needs across Iowa.
Impact for Iowa:
- Improves transportation safety by identifying sinkhole hazards.
- Strengthens groundwater management and protection for local communities.
- Expands knowledge of critical aquifers, like the Cleona Channel, that supply water for agriculture and municipalities.
- Supports sustainable planning for aggregate resources essential to construction and infrastructure.