A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and in the Des Moines River floodplain in Des Moines, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river. The aquifer consists of sands and gravels underlain by weathered shale bedrock. Groundwater from the aquifer along with surface water sources are used for municipal drinking water for the City of Des Moines and surrounding communities. The raw data provided in this data release are minimally processed to filter out erroneous measurements. Data provided in this data release includes continuous resistivity profiling (CRP) and continuous seismic profiling (CSP) that were collected concurrently, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles, and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) passive seismic measurements. The CRP and ERT measure the electrical properties of the subsurface, which can be related to stratigraphic layers. The CRP, ERT, CSP, and HVSR can be used to estimate depth to bedrock. Collectively, the suite of methods can help characterize the subsurface by mapping the extent of the sand and gravel aquifer and bedrock topography.

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys were collected in summer 2018 to support hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer. For this investigation, 7 surveys were conducted with ERT methods. At each site three surveys were collected, including dipole-dipole (DD), Wenner-Schlumberger (WS), and Inverse Schlumberger (SI )configurations. For each survey a total of 56 electrodes spaced 5-meters (m) apart were used. During the ERT measurement, current is injected through two current electrodes and voltage is measured sequentially across multiple pairs of potential electrodes, which is used to determine the apparent resistivity of the subsurface. Results were combined into a merged dataset. ERT surveys can be inverted to obtain resistivity profiles that can be interpreted for subsurface layers. This data release provides only the raw ERT data and the resultant inversion model. This data release contains a notes file for archiving surface-geophysical data (ERT_Archive_Notes_DesMoinesIA.csv), a text file (readme_ERT.txt) explaining the data files and processing references, and a color scale file (ERT_colorscale.png) relating colors to resistivity values. This data release also contains 7 compressed zip folders (one for each survey line) containing the original instrument files (windows command scripts, .crs, and .stg). There is a windows command script, a .crs, and a .stg file for each configuration: dipole-dipole (DD), Wenner-Schlumberger (WS), and Inverse Schlumberger (SI), two .xyz files (raw data culled and inverted data), and inverted model output image for each survey line (.wmf). Field notes taken at the time of data collection are not included in this data release but are available upon request.

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys were collected in summer 2018 to support hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer. For this investigation, 7 surveys were conducted with ERT methods. At each site three surveys were collected, including dipole-dipole (DD), Wenner-Schlumberger (WS), and Inverse Schlumberger (SI )configurations. For each survey a total of 56 electrodes spaced 5-meters (m) apart were used. During the ERT measurement, current is injected through two current electrodes and voltage is measured sequentially across multiple pairs of potential electrodes, which is used to determine the apparent resistivity of the subsurface. Results were combined into a merged dataset. ERT surveys can be inverted to obtain resistivity profiles that can be interpreted for subsurface layers. This data release provides only the raw ERT data and the resultant inversion model. This data release contains a notes file for archiving surface-geophysical data (ERT_Archive_Notes_DesMoinesIA.csv), a text file (readme_ERT.txt) explaining the data files and processing references, and a color scale file (ERT_colorscale.png) relating colors to resistivity values. This data release also contains 7 compressed zip folders (one for each survey line) containing the original instrument files (windows command scripts, .crs, and .stg). There is a windows command script, a .crs, and a .stg file for each configuration: dipole-dipole (DD), Wenner-Schlumberger (WS), and Inverse Schlumberger (SI), two .xyz files (raw data culled and inverted data), and inverted model output image for each survey line (.wmf). Field notes taken at the time of data collection are not included in this data release but are available upon request.

In September 2018, approximately 13 miles of continuous resistivity profiling (CRP) surveys were collected on the Des Moines River and Beaver Creek in Des Moines, Iowa. The CRP method was used to characterize the resistivity of the water column and the underlying geologic materials. Three CRP line profiles were collected during one day of field work and were collected concurrently with continuous seismic profiling (CSP) methods. For this investigation, 11 electrodes spaced 10 m apart and mounted in a streamer were towed behind a manned boat and data were collected using the dipole-dipole array type. The first two electrodes, closest to the boat were used to inject current into the water and river bottom, and eight electrical potential measurements were made using the remaining nine electrodes. With this system, a complete suite of measurements is collected every 2.8 seconds. Considering the boats slow rate of speed a complete measurement is taken about every 3-5 meters of boat movement. In general, voltage measurements taken with larger electrode spacings extend deeper into the subsurface. The exact depth and resistivity are determined through a process of inversion. Data were collected concurrently with CSP methods. Both methods used the same .gps files for georeferencing. Starting and ending coordinates for each line are specified in readme_CRP. This data release contains a notes file for archiving surface-geophysical data (CRP_Archive_Notes_DesMoinesIA.csv), a text file (Readme_CRP.txt) explaining the data files and processing references, and a color scale file (CRP_colorscale.png) relating colors to resistivity values. This data release also contains compressed zip folders (one for each survey line) that contain the original instrument files (windows command script, .crs, .stg, and .gps), two .xyz files (raw data culled and inverted data), and the inverted model output image for each survey line (.wmf). Field notes taken at the time of data collection are not included in this data release but are available upon request.

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys were collected in April 2015 to support hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer and to assess the suitability of larger-scale airborne geophysics. For this investigation, five sites were surveyed with ERT methods. At each site three surveys were collected, including: dipole-dipole, Schlumberger, and inverse Schlumberger configurations. For each survey a total of 56 electrodes spaced 5-meters (m) apart were used. During the ERT measurement, current is injected through two current electrodes and voltage is measured sequentially across multiple pairs of potential electrodes, which is used to determine the apparent resistivity of the subsurface. Results were combined into a merged dataset. ERT surveys can be inverted to obtain resistivity profiles that can be interpreted for subsurface layers. This data release provides only the raw ERT data.

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys were collected in April 2015 to support hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer and to assess the suitability of larger-scale airborne geophysics. For this investigation, five sites were surveyed with ERT methods. At each site three surveys were collected, including: dipole-dipole, Schlumberger, and inverse Schlumberger configurations. For each survey a total of 56 electrodes spaced 5-meters (m) apart were used. During the ERT measurement, current is injected through two current electrodes and voltage is measured sequentially across multiple pairs of potential electrodes, which is used to determine the apparent resistivity of the subsurface. Results were combined into a merged dataset. ERT surveys can be inverted to obtain resistivity profiles that can be interpreted for subsurface layers. This data release provides only the raw ERT data.

In summer 2018, a total of 43 passive seismic surveys were conducted in the Des Moines River floodplain. The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method is a passive seismic technique that uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolidated deposits when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2:1) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the overburden and the bedrock. The f0 is determined from the analysis of the spectral ratio of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data. The thickness of the overburden can be related to the f0. In general, lower f0 relates to thicker sediments, and higher f0 relates to relatively thinner overburden. This data release contains a text file (Readme_HVSR.txt) that explains data files and processing references, 6 .zip folders 5 related to survey line(s) on a given date and one for individual measurements not related to survey lines with each zip folder containing measurement site folders and original data files and resultant measurement report (.trc, .saf or .dat, and .doc) , a notes file for archiving surface-geophysical data (HVSR_Archive_Notes_DesMoinesIA.csv), and another comma-separated values file (HVSR_Index_DesMoinesIA.csv) that can be used to help navigate the data files. Field notes taken at the time of data collection are not included in this data release but are available upon request.

This data release consists of three different types of data: including direct current (DC) resistivity profiles, frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey data, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinate data of the geophysical measurement locations. A data dictionary is included along with the data and defines all of the table headings, definitions, and units. Earthen dams are common on lakes and ponds, but characteristics of these structures such as construction history, composition, and integrity are often unknown for older dams. Geophysical surveying techniques provide a non-invasive method of mapping their lithology and structure. In particular, DC resistivity and FDEM methods can, when properly processed, provide the information necessary to construct a lithologic model of an earthen dam without having to trench or core through the shell of the dam itself. In September, 2016 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted geophysical surveys at Bob Kidd Lake, an 81-hectare lake, in northwestern Arkansas to help determine the composition of the earthen dam and guide any potential geotechnical investigations. A series of DC resistivity surveys were conducted along, parallel, and perpendicular to the axis of the crest of the dam to identify the soil-bedrock interface and any variations in the composition of the earthen dam. A dense survey using a multi-frequency electromagnetic sensor was used to map the shallow materials comprising the dam at a higher resolution. Resistivity measurements were made by transmitting a known current through two electrodes (transmitter) and measuring the voltage potential across two other electrodes (receiver). The multiple channels on the resistivity meter allow for voltage measurements to be made at 10 receivers simultaneously following a current injection. The configuration of the transmitter relative to the receiver(s) is referred to as an array. For these surveys, a Reciprocal Schlumberger array was used, which positions the transmitting pair of electrodes toward the center of the array and the receiving pairs extending away from the transmitter (Loke, 2000; Zonge and others, 2005). The electrical resistance was calculated by dividing the measured voltage by the applied current. The apparent resistivity was determined by multiplying the electrical resistance by a geometric factor. Apparent resistivity is not the true resistivity, but rather a volume-averaged estimate of the true resistivity distribution, because a homogeneous, isotropic subsurface is assumed. To estimate the true resistivity of the heterogeneous and/or anisotropic subsurface, the apparent resistivity data were processed using an inverse modeling software program. The FDEM method complements the two-dimensional (2-D) DC resistivity method and was used to extend the depth of subsurface characterization obtained with resistivity profiles. The FDEM method uses multiple current frequencies to measure bulk electric conductivity values (the inverse of resistivity values) of the earth at different depths (Lucius and others, 2007). For this project FDEM data were collected with a GEM-2, a broadband, multifrequency, fixed-coil electromagnetic induction unit (Geophex, 2015). In addition to the geophysical surveys a concurrent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) survey was conducted using a Real Time Kinematic system (RTK). All electrode locations on the DC resistivity profiles, all measurement locations in the FDEM survey, as well as a point-cloud survey were collected and are included in the dataset. These data were used to geo-reference the geophysical data and may be used to create a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the dam surface.

This data release consists of three different types of data: including direct current (DC) resistivity profiles, frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey data, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinate data of the geophysical measurement locations. A data dictionary is included along with the data and defines all of the table headings, definitions, and units. Earthen dams are common on lakes and ponds, but characteristics of these structures such as construction history, composition, and integrity are often unknown for older dams. Geophysical surveying techniques provide a non-invasive method of mapping their lithology and structure. In particular, DC resistivity and FDEM methods can, when properly processed, provide the information necessary to construct a lithologic model of an earthen dam without having to trench or core through the shell of the dam itself. In September, 2016 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted geophysical surveys at Bob Kidd Lake, an 81-hectare lake, in northwestern Arkansas to help determine the composition of the earthen dam and guide any potential geotechnical investigations. A series of DC resistivity surveys were conducted along, parallel, and perpendicular to the axis of the crest of the dam to identify the soil-bedrock interface and any variations in the composition of the earthen dam. A dense survey using a multi-frequency electromagnetic sensor was used to map the shallow materials comprising the dam at a higher resolution. Resistivity measurements were made by transmitting a known current through two electrodes (transmitter) and measuring the voltage potential across two other electrodes (receiver). The multiple channels on the resistivity meter allow for voltage measurements to be made at 10 receivers simultaneously following a current injection. The configuration of the transmitter relative to the receiver(s) is referred to as an array. For these surveys, a Reciprocal Schlumberger array was used, which positions the transmitting pair of electrodes toward the center of the array and the receiving pairs extending away from the transmitter (Loke, 2000; Zonge and others, 2005). The electrical resistance was calculated by dividing the measured voltage by the applied current. The apparent resistivity was determined by multiplying the electrical resistance by a geometric factor. Apparent resistivity is not the true resistivity, but rather a volume-averaged estimate of the true resistivity distribution, because a homogeneous, isotropic subsurface is assumed. To estimate the true resistivity of the heterogeneous and/or anisotropic subsurface, the apparent resistivity data were processed using an inverse modeling software program. The FDEM method complements the two-dimensional (2-D) DC resistivity method and was used to extend the depth of subsurface characterization obtained with resistivity profiles. The FDEM method uses multiple current frequencies to measure bulk electric conductivity values (the inverse of resistivity values) of the earth at different depths (Lucius and others, 2007). For this project FDEM data were collected with a GEM-2, a broadband, multifrequency, fixed-coil electromagnetic induction unit (Geophex, 2015). In addition to the geophysical surveys a concurrent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) survey was conducted using a Real Time Kinematic system (RTK). All electrode locations on the DC resistivity profiles, all measurement locations in the FDEM survey, as well as a point-cloud survey were collected and are included in the dataset. These data were used to geo-reference the geophysical data and may be used to create a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the dam surface.

This data release consists of three different types of data: including direct current (DC) resistivity profiles, frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey data, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinate data of the geophysical measurement locations. A data dictionary is included along with the data and defines all of the table headings, definitions, and units. Earthen dams are common on lakes and ponds, but characteristics of these structures such as construction history, composition, and integrity are often unknown for older dams. Geophysical surveying techniques provide a non-invasive method of mapping their lithology and structure. In particular, DC resistivity and FDEM methods can, when properly processed, provide the information necessary to construct a lithologic model of an earthen dam without having to trench or core through the shell of the dam itself. In September, 2016 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted geophysical surveys at Bob Kidd Lake, an 81-hectare lake, in northwestern Arkansas to help determine the composition of the earthen dam and guide any potential geotechnical investigations. A series of DC resistivity surveys were conducted along, parallel, and perpendicular to the axis of the crest of the dam to identify the soil-bedrock interface and any variations in the composition of the earthen dam. A dense survey using a multi-frequency electromagnetic sensor was used to map the shallow materials comprising the dam at a higher resolution. Resistivity measurements were made by transmitting a known current through two electrodes (transmitter) and measuring the voltage potential across two other electrodes (receiver). The multiple channels on the resistivity meter allow for voltage measurements to be made at 10 receivers simultaneously following a current injection. The configuration of the transmitter relative to the receiver(s) is referred to as an array. For these surveys, a Reciprocal Schlumberger array was used, which positions the transmitting pair of electrodes toward the center of the array and the receiving pairs extending away from the transmitter (Loke, 2000; Zonge and others, 2005). The electrical resistance was calculated by dividing the measured voltage by the applied current. The apparent resistivity was determined by multiplying the electrical resistance by a geometric factor. Apparent resistivity is not the true resistivity, but rather a volume-averaged estimate of the true resistivity distribution, because a homogeneous, isotropic subsurface is assumed. To estimate the true resistivity of the heterogeneous and/or anisotropic subsurface, the apparent resistivity data were processed using an inverse modeling software program. The FDEM method complements the two-dimensional (2-D) DC resistivity method and was used to extend the depth of subsurface characterization obtained with resistivity profiles. The FDEM method uses multiple current frequencies to measure bulk electric conductivity values (the inverse of resistivity values) of the earth at different depths (Lucius and others, 2007). For this project FDEM data were collected with a GEM-2, a broadband, multifrequency, fixed-coil electromagnetic induction unit (Geophex, 2015). In addition to the geophysical surveys a concurrent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) survey was conducted using a Real Time Kinematic system (RTK). All electrode locations on the DC resistivity profiles, all measurement locations in the FDEM survey, as well as a point-cloud survey were collected and are included in the dataset. These data were used to geo-reference the geophysical data and may be used to create a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the dam surface.