Iowa’s Aquatic Habitats

Iowa is home to many fascinating aquatic habitats with robust ecosystems and rich biodiversity. Below is a compiled list of resources to guide you as you dive into learning about Iowa’s Aquatic Habitats.

Iowa-Relevant Aquatic WILD Activities

Activities with supplemental information are linked below.

Alice in Waterland
(3-5, 6-8)
Blue Ribbon Niche
(3-5, 6-8)
Dragonfly Pond
(3-5, 6-8)
How Wet Is Our Planet
(6-8)
Marsh Munchers
(3-5)
Puddle Wonders
(6-8)
Riparian Retreat
(3-5)
The Glass Menagerie
(9-12)
To Dam or Not to Dam
(6-8)
Water Wings
(3-5, 6-8)
Watershed
(6-8, 9-12)
Wetland Metaphors
(3-5)
Where Does Water Run?
(6-8, 9-12)

Supplemental Resources

Lakes and Ponds

Rivers and Streams

  • Iowa DNR: Interior RiversBrief description of Iowa’s rivers and streams. Links to recreation atlas and water trails maps and brochures. Includes information about the safety of eating Iowa caught fish.
  • Iowa DNR: Trout StreamsIowa trout stream information. Includes detailed information by stream. Searchable. Includes directions, maps, fishing report, and popular fish species found in each.
  • The USGS Water Science School – Earth’s Water: Rivers and StreamsGeneral information about rivers and streams.
  • Iowa DNR: Mississippi RiverDetailed information about the Mississippi River. Links to detailed information about each pool of the Mississippi River.
  • Iowa DNR: Missouri RiverGeneral information about the Missouri River. Includes common fish species caught in the Missouri River.
  • Iowa Flood Information System – This is a one-stop web-platform to access community-based flood conditions, forecasts, visualizations, inundation maps and flood-related information, visualizations and applications.

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where soil is saturated for various lengths of time during the growing season. They are transitions between terrestrial and aquatic systems.  All wetlands have three things in common: water (is always present), wet soils, and wetland plants.

Riparian Zones

From creeks and streams to major rivers, all flowing waters have a riparian zone.

Watersheds

Activities in the watershed (land that drains into a lake, marsh, or stream) determine water quality. A study of waters in Iowa must include a look at their watersheds.

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