|
|
  
     
|
 Introduction
Quick
Facts A Day in the Life Farm Tech Trek
Scavenger
Hunt Newsroom Mystery
Photo
Ag Resource Library |
|||
|
||||
| What is nonpoint source pollution? Nonpoint source pollution (or polluted runoff) occurs when water runs over land or through the ground, picks up pollutants and deposits them in the river, lake, bay or groundwater. |
A Primer on Water Quality - What is in the water?What do we mean by "water quality"?
Water Quality Assessment: Chemical
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
What are Wetlands and Why Protect Wetlands
Describes how wetlands impact soil erosion and process nonpoint source pollutants to improve water qualityWetlands and People
Learn about the important filtering capabilities of wetlands and how wetlands improve water quality.Wetlands: A Key Link in Watershed Management
Saving Our Watersheds
The Clean Water Act has provided citizens with a powerful tool called Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDLs) to clean and protect watersheds. The National Wildelife Federation explains what TMDLs are and how you can take advantage of them to have a positive impact on the health of your own watershed.The Young Scientist's Introduction to Wetlands
This file by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in .pdf format and must be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.Iowa's Wetlands
Describes the history of Iowa's wetlands, types of wetlands, characteristics of a wetland, and the future of Iowa's wetlands.
Water What-ifs - Warning Signs of Pollution
The effects of urbanization and agriculture on water quality: Nitrogen
Nonpoint and Point Sources of Nitrogen in Major Watersheds of the United States
Excellent MapThe effects of urbanization on water quality: Phosphorus
Nonpoint Source Pollution: The Nation's Largest Water Quality Problem
No-till Planting for Corn
Excellent graphic explaining the benefits of no-till in reducing water run-offSurvey: Iowa No-till Holds Steady
Describes the use of conservation tillage and no-till in corn and soybean rotationConservation Tillage No-till Systems
Identifies issues related to no-tillYards for Kids, Yards for Health, Yards for Nature
Includes information about health risksCommonly Asked Questions about Riparian Management Systems
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture provides answers to questions such as:
- What does riparian mean?
- Are wetlands really effective in reducing nitrate and other chemicals?
- Where is the most effective location for buffers in a watershed?
- How long does it take for a buffer to reach its maximum efficiency?
- Do buffers really reduce sediment, nitrogen and other chemicals from cropland runoff?
Learn how streamside vegetation affects soil processes important to surface water quality.
Water Quality in Agricultural Watersheds
(This pdf file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) Describes the nonpoint chemical contamination in agricultural water quality.
|
What's a riparian area? An area of streamside vegetation including the stream bank and adjoining floodplain, which is distinguishable from upland areas in terms of vegetation, soils, and topography. |
Surf Your Watershed
Use the USGS's Geographic Names Information System or state maps to locate your watershed. Enter your zip code or click on a map to find your home, and the Web site will display water quality information for your watershed.
What you can do to prevent nonpoint source pollution?
Wetlands Protection
What you can do to protect our vital water resources?
Adopt Your Watershed
To encourage stewardship of the nation's water resources the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsors an "Adopt Your Watershed" campaign.How to Adopt a Wetland
Learn how your class can work together to protect and restore a river, stream, wetland, lake, and ground water.Fifteen Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Your Watershed
The Awesome Aquifer Club
The Groundwater Foundation sponsors programs that focus on groundwater education.Identifying Watershed Problems
What is Volunteer Water Monitoring?
IOWater
Learn about Iowa's volunteer water monitoring program and how you can help gather baseline information about the health of streams.Opportunities for Public Involvement in Nonpoint Source Control
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - National Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - America's Wetlands
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey - Water Resources and river corridor and wetland restoration resources.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Environmental Protection Division - Iowa Water Quality Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources-Geological Survey Bureau
United States Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Water
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey -National Water Quality Assessment Project
National Agriculture Library - Water Quality Information Center Includes an excellent list of databases to help you find information about the water quality in your lakes, rivers and streams
Introduction
Quick
Facts A Day in the Life Farm Tech Trek
Scavenger
Hunt Newsroom Mystery
Photo
Ag Resource Library 
