Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Iowa Caves and Karst

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Caves and Karst of the Upper Midwest, USA

Part of the book series: Cave and Karst Systems of the World ((CAKASYWO))

Abstract

Iowa landforms have been shaped by a range of processes, including multiple glacial incursions. Many of these diverse landforms harbor a variety of karst features, including numerous examples of caves formed by both solutional and mechanical processes acting on an array of dolostones, limestones, gypsum, and sandstones. Cave development has been noted in several geologic systems, ranging from upper Cambrian to Pennsylvanian sandstones and lower Silurian to middle Mississippian carbonates. Distributional patterns of cave and karst development in Iowa are examined as a function of distinct physiographic regions, respective lithologies, hydrogeologic settings, and structural morphologies illustrated by representative sites. Karst systems have played a significant role in shaping Iowa’s unique surficial and subterranean habitats as well as archaeological, historical, and modern landscape uses. Ongoing exploration and study of Iowa caves continues to improve our collective understanding of past climate patterns and modern water quality issues as well as supporting comparative models of karst development on a regional scale. This chapter provides an overview examining principal karst-associated landscapes and controls associated with paleokarst, pseudokarst, and karst cave occurrences in Iowa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aley T (1981) Evaluation of Coldwater Cave, Winneshiek County, Iowa for designation as a National Natural Landmark. Ozark Underground Laboratory Report prepared for the Rocky Mountain Region, National Park Service, 41p

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RR (ed) (2000) Natural history of Pike’s Peak State Park. In: Geological Society of Iowa Guidebook, no 70, pp 103–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RR, McKay RM (eds) (1999) The geology of the Jurassic Fort Dodge Formation, Webster County, Iowa. In: Geological Society of Iowa Guidebook, vol 67, 89 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin GS (1972) Paleozoic lithostratigraphy of southeastern Minnesota. In: Sims, PK and Morey, GB (eds) Geology of Minnesota: a centennial volume. Minnesota Geological Survey, p 459–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker RG, Bettis EA, Denniston RF, Gonzalez LA (2001) Plant remains, alluvial chronology, and cave speleothem isotopes indicate abrupt Holocene climatic change at 6 ka in midwestern USA. Glob Planet Change 28(1):285–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bounk MJ (1983a) Karstification of the Silurian Escarpment in Fayette County, Northeastern Iowa. GSI Guidebook 40:31p

    Google Scholar 

  • Bounk MJ (1983b) Some factors influencing phreatic cave development in the Silurian strata of Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 90(1):19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Bounk MJ (1984) Development and evolution of the Maquoketa Cavern system. In: Anderson R (ed) The natural history of Maquoketa Caves State Park. Geological Society of Iowa Guidebook, Jackson County, Iowa, pp 23–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Bounk MJ (1987) Stream level record from Cold Water Cave, Winneshiek County, Iowa, and its relationship to rainfall and stream flow volume. In: Proceedings of the geological society of America, North-central Section, Annual Meeting, p 25–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Bounk MJ, Bettis EA III (1984) Karst development in northeastern Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 91(1):12–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner RL (1983) Late Jurassic tectonic setting and paleogeography of Western Interior North America. In: Reynolds RM, Dolly ED (eds) Mesozoic Paleogeography of the West-Central United States. Rocky Mountain Section, Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Denver, Colorado, pp 119–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Bretz JH (1938) Caves in the Galena formation. J Geol 46(6):828–841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bretz JH (1942) Vadose and phreatic features of limestone caverns. J Geol 50(6):675–811

    Google Scholar 

  • Brick GA (2004) Iowa Underground: A Guide to the State’s Subterranean Treasures. Trails Books, Black Earth, WI, 223 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvin S (1896) Apparent anomalies of stratification of Postville well. American Geologist, XVII, pp 195–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvin S, Leonard AG, Bain HF (1897) Geology of the Dubuque S. Quadrangle IA-IL. Iowa Geological Survey, vol. VI: Report on Lead-Zinc District and Artesian Wells (Fig. 2, p 30)

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen K, Wilson M, Tecklin J (1961) Preliminary study of the microarthropod ecology of Hunter’s Cave. Bull Natl Speleolo Soc 23(2):63–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark WR, Henry CJ, Dettman CL (2008) Demographic processes influencing population viability of the Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki). Am Midland Natl 160(1):129–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cody RD, Anderson RR, McKay RM (1996) Geology of the Fort Dodge formation (Upper Jurassic) Webster County, Iowa. In: Cody RD, Anderson RR, and McKay RM (eds), Geology of the Fort Dodge Formation, Iowa Geological Survey Bureau Guidebook Series, no 19, p 3–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper MP, Mylroie JE (eds) (2015) Glaciation and speleogenesis: interpretations from the Northeastern United States. Springer, Dordecht, p 142p

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell TR, Strode KS (2005) Summer soil temperatures on algific talus slopes in Northeast Iowa. J Iowa Acad Sci 112(1–2):13–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford J, Blazic J, Benzie M, Price K (2004) Subsidence management at New Mineral City Mine, Fort Dodge. Report presented to Interstate Technical Group on Abandoned Underground Mines 5th Biennial Workshop, Tucson, AZ

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross AT (1966) Palynologic evidence of mid-Mesozoic age of Fort Dodge (Iowa) gypsum. In: Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Abstract, Special Paper 101, p 46

    Google Scholar 

  • Denniston RF, Gonzalez LA, Semken HA Jr (1999) Integrating stalagmite, vertebrate and pollen sequences to investigate Holocene climate change in the Southern Midwestern United States. Quatern Res 52:381–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon JW (2011) The role of small caves as bat hibernacula in Iowa. J Cave and Karst Stud 73(1):21–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dockal JA (2020) Lead-Zinc Crevices of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Chapter 7, this volume

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorale JA, Gonzalez LA, Reagan MK, Pickett DA, Murrell MT, Baker RG (1992) A high resolution record of Holocene climate change in speleothem calcite from Cold Water Cave, Northeast Iowa. Science 258:1626–1630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friest L (2003) Personal communication

    Google Scholar 

  • Garvin PL (1983) Sulfide mineralization at Mineral Creek Mines, Allamakee County, Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 90(2), Article 4

    Google Scholar 

  • Garvin PL (1995) Paleokarst and associated mineralization at the Linwood Mine, Scott County Iowa. J Iowa Acad Sci 102(1–2):1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Garvin PL, Ludvigson GA (1993) Epigenetic sulfide mineralization associated with Pennsylvanian paleokarst in eastern Iowa, USA. Chem Geol 105(4):271–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert CC (1989) Fence Cave local fauna: changing historic land use patterns interpreted via faunal distributions in Northeast Iowa. Dissertation, University of Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith GE, Omernik JM, Wilton TF, Pierson SM (1994) Ecoregions and subregions of Iowa: a framework for water quality assessment and management. J Iowa Acad Sci 101(1):5–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Hale WE (1955) Geology and groundwater resources of Webster County, Iowa. Iowa Geological Survey Water Supply Bulletin No. 4, 257 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg GR, Bettis EA III, Prior JC (1984) Geologic overview of the paleozoic plateau region of Northeastern Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 91(1):5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg GR, Hoyer BE (1982) Sinkholes, hydrogeology, and ground-water quality in northeast Iowa, vol 82, no 3, Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg GR, Hoyer BE, Bettis EA III, Libra RD (1983) Hydrogeology, water quality and land management in the Big Spring Basin. Clayton County, Iowa, Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City, IA, pp 118–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg GR, Libra RD, Hoyer BE (1985) Nonpoint source contamination of ground water in karst carbonate aquifers. Perspectives on Nonpoint Source Pollution Proceedings, St. Louis, MO, EPA 440/5-85-100, Washington, D.C., Office of Water Regulations and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, p 109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansel AK (1976) Mechanically induced karst development along the Silurian Escarpment in northeastern Iowa. Doctoral dissertation, University of Northern Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon RS, Schwarcz HP, Ford DC, Koch DL (1979) An Isotopic Paleotemperature Record for Later Wisconsinan Time in Northeast Iowa. Geology 7:430–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes DT (1986) Origin of fracture patterns and insoluble minerals in the Fort Dodge gypsum, Webster County, Iowa: MS thesis. Iowa State University, Ames, p 76

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J (1967) Geology of Duttons Cave, Iowa: Bull. Nat. Speleo. Soc 29(3):73–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J (1972) Expanded joints and other periglacial phenomena along the Niagara Escarpment. Builtyn Peryglac 21:87–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J (1974a) Areal geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley Cave Region. National Speleological Society 1974 Convention Guidebook, Decorah, Iowa: National Speleological Society and Iowa Grotto, p 27–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J (1974b) Commercial Caves. National Speleological Society 1974 Convention Guidebook, Decorah, Iowa: National Speleological Society and Iowa Grotto, p 93–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J, Alexander EC Jr (1985) Karst-related features of the Upper Mississippi Valley Region. Stud Speleol VI:41–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges J, Knudson G (1975) The Ice Cave at Decorah, Iowa. Annal Iowa 43:113–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heitmann N (1980) Water source of Big Spring Trout Hatchery, Clayton County, Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 87(4):143–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyl AV Jr, Agnew AF, Lyons EJ, Behre CH Jr (1959) The geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District. U.S Geological Survey Professional Paper 309, 310 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyl AV, West WS (1982) Outlying mineral occurrences related to the Upper Mississippi Valley mineral district, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Econ Geol 77(8):1803–1817

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horick PJ, Soenksen PJ (1989) Water resources of northeast Iowa. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Atlas, No. 8

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard AD (1960) Geology and origin of the crevice caves of the Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin lead-zinc district. J. Yale Speleol. Soc 2(4):61–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard AD (1963) The development of karst features. Bull Natl Spel Soc 25:45–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Hruby CE, Wolter CF, McKay RM, Bounk MJ (2010) Northeast Iowa watershed and karst Map. Open file map OFM-7-10. Iowa Geological and Water Survey

    Google Scholar 

  • Huppert G, Wheeler B, Alexander EC Jr, Adams R (1988) Agricultural Land Use and Groundwater Quality in the Cold Water Cave Groundwater Basin, Upper Iowa River Karst Region, USA. Part I. Resource Management in Limestone Landscapes: International Perspectives. In: Proceedings of the international geographical union study group man’s impact on Karst, Sydney, Australia, pp 235–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Iker BC, Kambesis PN, Oehrle SA, Groves C, Barton HA (2010) Microbial atrazine breakdown in a karst groundwater system and its effect on ecosystem energetics. J Environ Qual 39(2):509–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iles DL (1977) Variations in the geometry and density of dolines, Allamakee County, Iowa. Dissertation, Iowa State University of Science and Technology

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson ME (1977) Early geological explorations of the Silurian system in Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 84(4):150–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalkoff S (1995) Relation between stream-water quality and geohydrology during base-flow conditions, Roberts Creek watershed, Clayton County, Iowa. Water Resour Bull 31(4):593–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kambesis PN (2007) Agricultural contaminant source and transport in a karst groundwater basin. MSc thesis, Dept. of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 156 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Kambesis PN (2009) Coldwater Cave System, Winneshiek County, Iowa. In: Palmer AN, Palmer MV (eds) Caves and Karst of the USA. National Speleological Society, Huntsville, AL p, pp 154–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Kambesis PN, Bain B (1988) Coldwater Cave 20 years of exploration and still going. NSS News 46(6):141–147. http://caves.org/project/coldwater/cwp1b.html

  • Kambesis PN, Lace MJ (2009) Glaciated central lowlands: Iowa. In: Palmer AN, Palmer MV (eds) Caves and Karst of the USA. National Speleological Society, Huntsville, pp 151–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Kambesis PN, Lovaas J, Lace MJ (2013) High resolution temperature sampling of cave climate variation as a function of allogenic recharge, Coldwater Cave, Iowa, USA. In: Proceedings of the 16th international congress of speleology, Cave Climate and Paleoclimate Record, pp 413–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeler RR (1997) Modeling groundwater flow in a fractured-karst aquifer in the Big Springs Basin, Iowa. Doctoral dissertation, University of Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy JO, Miller JG III (1990) A survey of the benthic macroinvertebrates of the Big Spring basin, Iowa. J Iowa Acad Sci 97(2):46–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes CR (1895) Gypsum deposits in Iowa. Iowa Geolo Surv Annu Report 3:257–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keyes CR (1912) Spanish Mines: an episode in primitive American lead-mining. Annals of Iowa 10:539–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keyes CR (1915) Miocene age of Fort Dodge gypsum. Eng Min J 25:587–598

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiel A (2004) Upper Iowa river GIS analysis. http://www.northeastiowarcd.org/uirw/publications.htm

  • Klimchouk AB (1995) Karst morphogenesis in the epikarstic zone: Caves and Karst. Science 21:45–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimchouk AB (1997) The nature and principal characteristics of epikarst. In: Proceedings of the 12th international congress of speleology, La Chaux-de-Fonds, vol 1, p 306

    Google Scholar 

  • Klug C (1996) Investigation of the palynomorphs of the Fort Dodge Gypsum, North-Central Iowa. unpublished open file report, Iowa Geological Survey Bureau, 5 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch DL, Case JC (1974) Report on Coldwater Cave: a Summary of Research Results with Inclusion of Information Related to Potential Development of a New Recreation Facility by the State of Iowa. Iowa Geological Survey, 80 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovarik AF (1898) The Decorah Ice Cave and its explanation. Sci Am Suppl (1195):19158–19159

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovarik AF (1899) Ice Cave observations. Decorah Public Opinion

    Google Scholar 

  • Launspach J (2013) Automated sinkhole extraction and morphological analysis in northeast Iowa using high-resolution LiDAR data. MA thesis. University of Northern Iowa, 104 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Levorson CO, Gerk AJ (1972) A preliminary stratigraphic study of the Galena Group of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 79

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis WC (1981) The “Breathing” of Coldwater Cave. In: Proceedings of the 8th international congress of speleology, Bowling Green, Kentucky, pp 89–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Libra RD (ed) (2005) Living in Karst. Iowa Geological Survey Guidebook no. 25. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa City. 50 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Libra RD, Ressmeyer GG, Bunker BJ, Hoyer BE (1984) Groundwater quality and hydrogeology of Devonian-Carbonate aquifers in Floyd and Mitchell Counties, Iowa, vol 84, no 2. Iowa Geological Survey

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey BD, Katz BG, Berndt MP, Ardis AF, Skach KA (2010) Relations between sinkhole density and anthropogenic contaminants in selected carbonate aquifers in the eastern United States. Environ Earth Sci 60(5):1073–1090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludvigson GA (1996) Paleoclimate Controls on Detrital Modes of Jurassic and Cretaceous Sandstones. Geological Society of America, Cratonic Margin, Western Interior Basin (abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludvigson GA, Dockal JA (1984) Lead and zinc mining in the Dubuque Area. Iowa Geology, no 9, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludvigson GA, Mcadams MP (1980) New evidence of early Ordovician tectonism in the Upper Mississippi Valley. Iowa Geolo Surv Tech Inf Ser 9:27p

    Google Scholar 

  • McKay R (1996) Paleokarsts in Iowa. Iowa Geol 21:20–23

    Google Scholar 

  • McKay R, Tassier-Surine S, Liu P, Young J (2006) Geologic mapping of the Upper Iowa River Watershed

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore F (1995) Floyd County groundwater protection project and sinkhole cleanout. Geology and hydrogeology of Floyd-Mitchell counties, north-central Iowa. Geological Society of Iowa Guidebook (62):75

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore RC, Wanless H, Weller J, Williams JS, Read C, Bell W, Ashley G, Cheney M, Cline I, Condra G (1944) Correlations of Pennsylvanian formations of North America. Geol Soc Am Bull 55(6):657–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morehouse DF (1968) Cave development via the sulfuric acid reaction. Natl Speleol Soc Bull 30:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosnat HR (1898) Artesian wells of the Belle Plaine area. Iowa Geol Survey Ann Rept 9:521–562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munter JA (1980) Evaluation of the extent of hazardous waste contamination in the Charles City area. Iowa Geol Surv Contract Report, 64 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Natte RB (2008) Images of America: Fort Dodge 1850–1970. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, p 127

    Google Scholar 

  • Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/

  • Nekola JC (1999) Paleorefugia and Neorefugia: the influence on colonization history on community pattern and process. Ecology 80(8):2459–2473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson M (2002) Personal communication

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor K, Trainum M (2015) Monitoring the threat of sinkhole formation under a portion of U.S. 18 in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa using TDR measurements. In: Proceedings of the 14th Sinkhole conference, pp 569–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen DD (1852) Report of a geological survey of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota; and incidentally a portion of Nebraska Territory. Lippincott Grambo & Co., Philadelphia, p 683

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmquist RC (1977) Distribution and density of dolines in areas of mantled karst. Hydrologic Problems in Karst Regions

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck SB (1977) A growth rate for cave gypsum needles. Natl Speleol Soci Bull 39:104–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck SB, Christiansen K (1990) Evolution and zoogeography of the invertebrate cave faunas of the Driftless Area of the Upper Mississippi River Valley of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, USA. Can J Zool 68(1):73–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peck SB et al (2020) This volume

    Google Scholar 

  • Plotnick RE, Kenig F, Scott AC, Glasspool IJ, Eble CF, Lang WJ (2009) Pennsylvanian paleokarst and cave fills from northern Illinois, USA: a window into late Carboniferous environments and landscapes. Palaios 24(10):627–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prior JC (ed) (1975) Karst topography along the Silurian Escarpment in southern Clayton County. Geological Society of Iowa Guidebook, no 27, 13 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Prior JC (1991) Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, p 153p

    Google Scholar 

  • Rippey J (1950) Iowa City Grotto maps Kemling Cave. Natl Speleol Soc News 3:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhe RV (1969) Quaternary Landscapes in Iowa. Iowa State University Press, Ames, p 255

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasowsky ID (2000) Groundwater flow and contaminant transport in carbonate aquifers, 193 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Schilling KE, Helmers M (2008a) Effects of subsurface drainage tiles on streamflow in Iowa agricultural watersheds: exploratory hydrograph analysis. Hydrol Process 22(23):4497–4506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schilling KE, Helmers M (2008b) Tile drainage as karst: conduit flow and diffuse flow in a tile-drained watershed. J Hydrol 349:291–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shopov YY, Ford DC, Schwarcz HP (1994) Luminescent microbanding in speleothems: high-resolution chronology and paleoclimate. Geology 22(5):407–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims PK, Morey GB (1972) Geology of Minnesota: a centennial volume. In: Minnesota geological survey. University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy. http://hdl.handle.net/11299/57318

  • Smith DD (1984) Iowa’s Driftless area: symposium. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 91(1), Article 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Soil Conservation Service (1968) Soil survey: Winneshiek County. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C, Iowa, p 225

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley LA (2002) A century of rock art research. J Archaeol Soc Iowa 49:65–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinhilber WL, Van Eck OJ, Feulner AJ (1961) Geology and ground-water resources of Clayton County, Iowa. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Geol Surv Bur Water-Supply Bull (7), 142

    Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952) Dynamic basis of geomorphology. Geol Soc Am Bull 63:923–938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson JB (2002) Prehistoric archaeology in Northeast Iowa. J Archaeol Soc Iowa 49:27–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Trowbridge AC (1966) Glacial drift in the “Driftless Area” of Northeast Iowa. Iowa Geological Survey Report of Investigations, vol 2

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail PR, Michum RM Jr, Thompson S III (1977) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, part 4: global cycles of relative changes of sea level. In: Payton CE (ed) Seismic stratigraphy—Applications to hydrocarbon exploration. AAPG Mem vol 26, pp 83–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters JC (2008) The Floyd karst area. In: Carbonate platform facies and faunas of the middle and upper devonian Cedar Valley group and Lime Creek Formation, Northern Iowa, p 11

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch LE, Paul BE, Jones MD (2015) Measurement of radon levels in caves: logistical hurdles and solutions. In: Proceedings of the American association of radon scientists and technologists (AARST) international radon symposium, pp 1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch LE, Paul BE, Jones MD (2017) Use of electret ionization chambers to measure radon in Caves. In: Proceedings of the American association of radon scientists and technologists (AARST) international radon symposium, pp 1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler BJ, Alexander EC Jr, Adams RS, Huppert GN (1988) Agricultural land use and groundwater quality of the Coldwater Cave groundwater Basin, Upper Iowa River Karst Region, USA. In: Gilleson D, Smith DI (eds) Resource management in limestone landscapes: international perspectives. In: Proceedings of the international geographical union study group man’s impact on Karst, Sydney, Australia, pp 249–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder FA (1903) The age and origin of the gypsum of central Iowa. Iowa Geological Survey XXVIII, Annual report 1917, pp 723–748

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder FA (1918) Gypsum: its occurrence, origin, technology, and uses. In: Kay GF, Lees JH (eds) Iowa geological survey XXVIII, annual report 1917, 1918. Des Moines, State of Iowa, pp 47–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder FA, Savage TE (1906) Iowa geological survey annual report, vol. XVI, 673 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams PW (1983) Role of the subcutaneous zone in karst hydrology. J Hydrol 61(1–3):45–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witzke BJ (1998) Bedrock geologic map of northeast Iowa. Iowa DNR Geological Survey Bureau. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Witzke BJ, Bunker BJ (2002) Bedrock geology in the Burlington area, southeast Iowa. Pleistocene, Devonian, and Mississippian Stratigraphy of the Burlington, Iowa Area Iowa Department of Natural Resources. In: Geological Survey Bureau Guidebook Series, vol 23, pp 23–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthington S (2003) Comprehensive strategy for understanding flow in carbonate aquifers. In: Palmer AN, Palmer MV, Sasowsky ID (eds) Karst modeling. Special Publication #5, Karst Waters Institute, Charlestown, WV, pp 30–37

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Significant contributions to this chapter were derived from the digital archives of the Coldwater Cave Project and the Iowa Grotto Library (National Speleological Society). The authors also wish to extend thanks to public land managers and private cave owners who have long supported cave research and preservation in Iowa.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Cave Survey, West Branch, Iowa, 52358, USA

    Michael J. Lace

  2. University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Raymond R. Anderson

  3. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA

    Patricia N. Kambesis

Authors
  1. Michael J. Lace
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raymond R. Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Patricia N. Kambesis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael J. Lace .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lands and Minerals Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Greg A. Brick

  2. Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    E. Calvin Alexander Jr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Lace, M.J., Anderson, R.R., Kambesis, P.N. (2021). Iowa Caves and Karst. In: Brick, G.A., Alexander Jr., E.C. (eds) Caves and Karst of the Upper Midwest, USA. Cave and Karst Systems of the World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54633-5_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation