NEW:
IDNR Database for Stream Use Assessment Reports
LiDAR Data Acquisitions in Iowa
LiDAR Lake Darling Watershed
LiDAR Derived 2' Contour
What Is a Watershed?
It is
another word for basin and is an area of land that collects and drains rain and
snowfall to a common body of water, the boundaries of which are shaped by the
landscape. In Iowa, there are six river basins which drain to two river
systems. The Mississippi receives 2/3rds of the rainfall in Iowa, the other 1/3
drains to the Missouri River, both of which drain to the Gulf of Mexico.
Why Is It Important?
We all live
in
a watershed. Do you know
your
watershed address?
Similar to a postal or zip code there is also a “watershed” code or Hydrological
Unit Code also known as “HUC.” The HUC system was
developed so we all have a common reference and boundaries for watersheds.
HUCs contain 2 to 14 identifying numbers — the larger the number, the smaller
the watershed. The entire country has been mapped to an
eight-digit HUC level and totals. Iowa has 56 eight-digit HUCs, all but a
few
cross
municipal boundaries. This is what makes the assessment process so
interesting—it not only requires working together with other city / county
departments
but also
other jurisdictions to be
meaningful and successful.
Find Your Watershed Address...
Surf your watershed -
link to the Environmental Protection Agency
Iowa
Watershed Atlas - link to Iowa Department of Natural
Resources
Know Your Watershed
- link to Conservation Technology Information Center
What Can You Do to Protect Water
Quality?
Take
Action
Watershed Plan Builder
If you have any questions
/ comments
please contact:
Pat Sauer, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU)
800-810-4268
or psauer@iamu.org
