Dye tracer tests to determine time-of-travel in Iowa streams, 1990–2006

Data Series 444
By:

Links

Abstract

Dye-tracing tests have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Water Science Center to determine the time-of-travel in selected Iowa streams from 1990-2006. Time-of-travel data are tabulated for 309 miles of stream reaches in four Iowa drainage basins: the Des Moines, Raccoon, Cedar, and Turkey Rivers. Time-of-travel was estimated in the Des Moines River, Fourmile Creek, North Raccoon River, Raccoon River, Cedar River, and Roberts Creek. Estimation of time-of-travel is important for environmental studies and in determining fate of agricultural constituents and chemical movement through a waterway. The stream reaches range in length from slightly more than 5 miles on Fourmile Creek, to more than 137 miles on the North Raccoon River. The travel times during the dye-tracer tests ranged from 7.5 hours on Fourmile Creek to as long as 200 hours on Roberts Creek; velocities ranged from less than 4.50 feet per minute on Roberts Creek to more than 113 feet per minute on the Cedar River.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Dye tracer tests to determine time-of-travel in Iowa streams, 1990–2006
Series title Data Series
Series number 444
DOI 10.3133/ds444
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Iowa Water Science Center
Description 18 p.
Time Range Start 1990-01-01
Time Range End 2006-12-31
Country United States
State Iowa
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details