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Selected Water-Quality Data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids Well Fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2017–22

Data Report 1224
Prepared in cooperation with City of Cedar Rapids Utilities Water Division
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1224

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Abstract

The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the source of drinking water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Production wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer approximately 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have studied the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer in the vicinity of Cedar Rapids since 1992. Results of these studies documented hydrologic conditions, water quality, and geochemistry of the alluvial aquifer and interactions with the Cedar River. Water-quality samples were collected for studies involving well field monitoring, trends, source-water protection, groundwater geochemistry, surface-water–groundwater interaction, and pesticides in groundwater and surface water. Water quality was analyzed for dissolved major ions (boron, bromide, calcium, chloride, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silica, sodium, sulfate, and total dissolved solids), dissolved nutrients (ammonia as nitrogen, ammonia plus organic nitrogen as nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen, nitrite as nitrogen, orthophosphate as phosphorus, and phosphorus), dissolved organic carbon, and selected pesticides. Physical characteristics (alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and water temperature) were measured on site and recorded for each water sample collected. This report presents the results of routine water-quality data-collection activities from October 2017 through September 2022. Methods of data collection, quality assurance, water-quality analyses, and statistical procedures are presented. Data include the results of water-quality analyses from quarterly sampling from monitoring wells, production wells, two water treatment plants, and the Cedar River at Blairs Ferry Road at Palo, Iowa, streamgage (U.S. Geological Survey station number 05464420), as well as monthly nutrient sampling from the Cedar River and Morgan Creek near Covington, Iowa, streamgage (U.S. Geological Survey station number 05464475).

Suggested Citation

Meppelink, S.M., and Kalkhoff, S.J., 2026, Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2017–22: U.S. Geological Survey Data Report 1224, 34 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1224.

ISSN: 2771-9448 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods of Study
  • Water-Quality Sampling
  • Water-Quality Data for Cedar River and Cedar Rapids Well Fields
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2017–22
Series title Data Report
Series number 1224
DOI 10.3133/dr1224
Publication Date April 08, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 34 p.; Dataset
Country United States
State Iowa
City Cedar Rapids
Other Geospatial Cedar Rapids Well Fields, Cedar River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details