Dynamics of nutrient transport in rivers

Title: Watershed Scaling Effects Measured Via Nested High Frequency Sensors

Location:  Statewide :

East Nishnabotna: Hamburg, Red Oak, Atlantic

Upper Iowa: Dorcester, Decorah, Kendallville,

Wapsipinicon: DeWitt, Anamosa, Tripoli

Raccoon River: Van Meter, Jefferson, Sac City

Floyd: James, Alton, Sanborn

Time Period:  2024 - 2025

Research Team: Marty St. Clair and Elliot Anderson

Project Description: This project will utilize a network of high frequency sensors nested within watersheds in Iowa's five major landform areas.  The network of sensors will allow assessment of nutrient retention at different watershed scales. By using sensors which measure nitrate and sediment directly in the river, and by utilizing real-time flow data from the USGS, we will be able to assess how nutrient loading changes moving through the watersheds.

In addition, the response of the landscape to increasingly frequent extreme weather events is not well understood.  Research has indicated that large precipitation events often mobilize significant fractions of annual nutrient and sediment loads in a short period of time and contribute disproportionately to the overall loading.  The high temporal resolution of the in-stream sensors will allow us to better understand the dynamics of nutrient and sediment transport during these increasingly common extreme weather events.

Publications:

Funders: Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Walton Family Foundation