Water in Iowa

These photos provide examples of where water is found in Iowa. The water in Iowa is fresh water.  Freshwater is found in several different surface water resources: rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and springs. The state has a variety of surface water and underground water resources, this phenomena explores those resources. The winter photo of the Mississippi River shows water in its solid state, ice. The cold water spring flowing into the river comes from an underground aquifer. The primary aquifer in Iowa in the Jordan aquifer.

• Where is water found in Iowa?

• What forms does water in Iowa take?
• Why is the water in these different forms?
• When is water a solid?
• When is water a liquid?

Students could:

• Discuss where water is found in Iowa and what surface water and underground water (Jordan aquifer) resources are found in Iowa.
• Share photos of each water form and identify them to determine students' background knowledge on freshwater water forms. 
• Read the book "Hey Water" by Antoinette Portis. 

• Iowa Conservation Education Coalition | Iowa Aquatics: This resource contains a summary of Iowa waterways.
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources | Water Trail Maps: Explore waterways in areas near your community.