Mapping and GIS

GIS Analysis and Support
Kathryne Clark, GIS Section Supervisor GIS License Administration
Erienne Davis GIS Analyst
Meghan Wierschke GIS Analyst
Jesse Soukup GIS Analyst - Floodplain Mapping
Chris Kahle GIS Analyst - LiDAR processing, Floodplain Mapping
Vacant GIS Analyst - Hydrologic modeling and SWAT
Vacant GIS Analyst - Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Chad Billings Hydrologic Engineering, Floodplain Mapping
GIS Data and Applications
Casey James Kohrt NRGIS Geospatial Administrator
 Vacant Geospatial Applications Coordination / Mapping Application Developer


What we do:
The GIS section is responsible for the development, management, and distribution of the Department's Natural Resource Geographic Information System (NRGIS). This includes data collection and analysis that may be required for various resource investigations and in support of making natural resource management decisions. We deliver data in various formats to decision makers and the public. We also provide GIS support and training to other sections of the DNR.

Data Collection and Production - Making good natural resource management decisions first requires good data. The DNR has undertaken many GIS projects focused on collecting and producing basic data on Iowa's natural resources. Examples include the Two-dimensional Base-level Engineering Project (2D BLE update to flood hazard modeling), participation in 2020 LiDAR acquisition for portions of the state, DNR infrastructure and assets collection, Historic Aerial Photography Project (1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s), and the State-wide Floodplain Mapping Project.

Data Analysis - Good decisions require analysis of available data. Examples include our High Resolution Land Cover project, Nutrient Reduction Strategy modeling and support, National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) conflation effort, Restorable Wetland Analysis project, etc.

Data Distribution - GIS data is primarily delivered to natural resource managers and the public through the States' Iowa Geodata GIS Clearinghouse, DNR GIS Web Services, and Web Mapping Applications.

     Iowa Geodata - https://geodata.iowa.gov/ - A wide variety of data available for download or streaming.  The NRGIS Library data lives here.

Web Services - http://programs.iowadnr.gov/geospatial/rest/services/ - Live data as Web Mapping Services for use in applications.

Web Mapping Applications

AFO Siting Atlas An interactive map to assist in the siting of animal feeding operations.
Burial Zone Siting An interactive map to assist in selecting animal burial zones.
Coal Mine Maps An interactive map to view coal mine maps where coal was mined in Iowa.
One Stop Facility Explorer An interactive map of environmentally-regulated facilities.
Fishing Atlas An interactive map of contour maps, fishing structure locations, topography and more.
GeoSam An interactive map of geologic information from well data.
Iowa Elevation Tools An interactive map to obtain elevation and profile information.
Historic Photography Viewer An interactive map to see historic aerial photography.
Hunting Atlas An interactive map to discover hunting opportunities in Iowa.
Natural Areas Inventory An interactive map about Iowa's rare species.
Recreation Atlas An interactive map for discovering recreation opportunities in Iowa.
Source Water Mapping An interactive map about Iowa's drinking water sources and quality.
Water Monitoring and Watershed Atlas An interactive map about water quality and watersheds.