Chloride
Chloride is a chemical element found in salts, which tend to dissolve easily in water. In natural waters, elevated levels of chloride may indicate inputs of human or animal waste, or inputs from fertilizers, many of which contain salts. During winter months, elevated chloride levels in streams may occur as a result of road salt runoff to nearby streams. The amount of chloride dissolved in water is expressed in milligrams per liter of water (mg/L). Average chloride concentrations for Iowa streams range from 16 to 29 mg/L. The Iowa DNR released, Water Quality Standards Review: Chloride, Sulfate and Total Dissolved Solids a study examining the effects of sulfate and chloride on aquatic ecosystems in Iowa.
2025 Sampling Results
Cumulative Sampling Results: Chloride
The above image shows all the chloride data collected from 2015 to current years by using a box and whisker chart. The horizontal line within each box represents the average value in the data, while the lines that extend from the box represent the variation in data. To learn more about how to read a box and whisker chart click here.
2015 Chloride
(Mg/l)
2016 Chloride
(Mg/l)
2017 Chloride
(Mg/l)
2019 Chloride
(Mg/l)
