DNR, University of Iowa reach agreement on new water, geological research

Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources say a cooperative agreement between the department and the University of Iowa will result in additional research being conducted on the state's water and geological resources.

The agreement will transfer a number of groundwater and geological activities by contract to the UI's Department of Hydroscience and Engineering – a change that DNR Director Chuck Gipp said will allow the university to leverage existing state resources and obtain more grants to conduct valuable research.

The university's department is a world-renowned center for education, research, and public service focusing on hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics.

“This agreement will greatly increase the geological and hydrological research capabilities in Iowa because the university has one of the most highly regarded research programs anywhere in the world while still retaining the very positive relationships that DNR has established with business and industry,” Gipp said.

Iowa will join Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska as states that have geological survey functions associated with state universities.