The Corps of Engineers plan to construct an earth-fill dam approximately three miles north of Ames, Iowa on the Skunk River. The proposed dam site is on a reach of the Skunk River which has been displaced approximately two miles to the southeast. The old channel has been filled and covered by glacial drift and is not detectable at the surface. Compilation of data obtained from geological investigations provides evidence for the existence of a buried valley. It is believed that the sands and gravels in this valley are hydraulically connected to the aquifer from which the City of Ames obtains its water supply. Furthermore, the valley underlies a portion of the area of the proposed reservoir. It is quite possible that construction of the dam will have a significant effect on the water supply of the City of Ames, and the buried valley an equally important effect on the proposed reservoir. Further study is indicated.
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science
©1966 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.
Backsen, Lee B. and Sendlein, Lyle V.A.
"Geology of the Proposed Skunk River Dam,"
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 73(1), 190-198.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol73/iss1/30