Geology topics

Research about Raccoon River

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Raccoon River.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1993

Effects of climatic variations over 11 years on nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the Raccoon River, Iowa

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations at public water supply intakes on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers in Iowa exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg L-1 for public water supplies established by the USEPA for extended periods of time from March through early August 1990. The excessive NO3-N levels followed 2 yr of less-than normal precipitation in 1988 and 1989. The largest daily NO3-N load (771 t) transported during the last 17 yr in the Raccoon River occurred in June 1990. The streamflow hydrograph for the Raccoon River for March 1990 prior to seasonal fertilizer application indicates that high NO3-N concentrations characterize the recession side of the hydrograph. High NO3-N concentrations in streamflow persisted as streamflow decreased to baseflow conditions. This implies that substantial quantities of NO3-N were being leached from the soil and transported by subsurface flow during early 1990. A multiple linear-regression model was developed to predict NO3-N concentrations in the Raccoon River from readily-obtainable streamflow and climatic data. The four-variable model explained about 70% of the variability in the concentration of NO3-N. The mean streamflow for the previous 7-d period accounted for about 50% of the total variability.

Iowa↗

USGS1966

Water-surface profiles of Raccoon River at Des Moines, Iowa

This investigation was undertaken as a part of the cooperative program with the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, the City of Des Moines, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The purpose of this report is twofold: 1. To present water-surface profiles and rating curves for existing channel conditions in the 4-mile reach of Raccoon River upstream from the mouth, and 2. To show the effect upon water-surface profiles of raising the Fleur Drive roadway to eliminate road overflow. The Raccoon River., having a drainage area of 3,630 square miles, borders the south edge of the Des Moines downtown business district before flowing into the Des Moines River at mile 201.6. A large residential area and the city airport are separated from downtown Des Moines by the Raccoon River (fig. 1). Five highway bridges and one railroad bridge span the river between the mouth and mile 205.75, the limits of this report (fig. 1). The river is confined to a narrow channel from the mouth to the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad bridge (mile 202.6); upstream of this bridge the river is not confined and during high water spreads over a wide flood plain. Fleur Drive, a principal traffic artery to the downtown area, is the only roadway of the five that crosses this wide flood plain. It has been flooded 15 times during the period 1903, 1918-1965.

Iowa↗