Western Dubuque County, Iowa
Mapping water quality and rural infrastructure challenges.
In partnership with the Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District, Drake students helped monitor 30 sites across rural watersheds. Their work focused on E. coli testing and source tracking—collecting and mapping data to pinpoint potential contamination sources, such as septic systems or manure storage sites.
By taking on monthly monitoring responsibilities, students freed up time for county staff to pursue additional environmental projects. This experience provided students with a real-world view of watershed management and the challenges facing rural infrastructure.
Real-world Experiences
“This experience provided me with a better understanding of watershed management on a county level and real-world experiences of the collection and mapping of water quality data.”
—Paige Robertson (pictured on the right)
