b"NITRATE NEXUSTracing the Connections Between Agriculture & Water QualityWritten byChris CushmanThe Raccoon River meanders through the vast farmland outside Des Moinesthe state capital and largest city in Iowabefore joining the Des Moines River near the city's center. The Des Moines River continues snaking its way eastward before flowing into the MississippiCity skyline of Des Moines, Iowa River, a major artery in the U.S. that deliversacross the Racoon River at sunset.much of the nations nutrient runoff to theGulf of Mexico. Ranked as the ninth most endangered riverThis has caused a city that has historicallyin the United States by American Rivers, therelied on river water to go into crisis modeRaccoon River serves as an important sourceand identify other drinking water sources,of drinking water for more than half a millionsuch as shallow aquifers. 2people in central Iowa. 1 The Raccoon River serves as a cautionary tale for The Raccoon's nitrate levels are among theother cities at the nexus between agriculture and highest in the nation tied to farming, while awater quality. This article explores this connection, recent dry spell has caused the river to drop tothe dark history of industrially-produced nitrogen extremely low levels. 2fertilizers, and the challenges of monitoring nitrate in the field. Whos Minding the Planet? 39"