Iowa Geological Survey

What Iowa Geological Survey does

Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) is the official state geological survey of Iowa, operating as a unit within the College of Engineering at The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The organization provides geological and water resource services to state and local government agencies, academic researchers, and the general public, with a statutory mandate to characterize and disseminate information about Iowa's geology, hydrogeology, mineral resources, and geological hazards. IGS is led by the State Geologist (currently Keith Schilling) and operates across four content pillars: research, services, popular interest, and data and resources.

IGS's core offerings include geophysics, groundwater modeling, stratigraphy analysis, drilling services, and sediment laboratory analysis, delivered on a custom-quote basis with multi-year contract cadence. The organization maintains a substantial physical and digital data asset in the IGS Rock Library — approximately 30 miles of core samples and 1.5 million bags of rock chips — complemented by the GeoSam georeferenced sampling database. Research output spans hydrogeology, water quality, mineral resources, paleontology, floodplain processes, and watershed studies, with recent notable findings including the determination that a meteor struck northeast Iowa 470 million years ago and ongoing investigations into West Lake Okoboji's anomalous depth.

As a state governmental entity, IGS is funded through state appropriations, research grants, and fee-based service contracts rather than commercial equity, and operates without venture capital, acquisitions, or disclosed revenue. The organization disseminates findings through peer-reviewed publications, the annual IGS Geode magazine, the institutional website, Facebook, and Twitter, and offers an "Ask a Geologist" public engagement program.

Name

Iowa Geological Survey

Legal name

Iowa Geological Survey

Website

https://iowageologicalsurvey.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Iowa Geological Survey is Iowa's official state geological survey, operating within the University of Iowa's College of Engineering to provide geological, hydrogeological, and water resource services to government agencies, researchers, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geotechnical, Hydrogeological & Seismic Engineering (Slope Stability, Ground Support, Dewatering) (IMAKAOAN), Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK), Soil & Sediment Sampling (Contaminants, Nutrients, Metals) (EUAHACAF)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Groundwater modeling
• Geophysics services
• Water resource management
• Stratigraphy analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Iowa City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Geological Survey Services: As a state geological survey housed within The University of Iowa's College of Engineering, the Iowa Geological Survey operates as a government/university research entity. Revenue is derived through service contracts, research grants, and public funding for geological survey work including water quality testing, groundwater modeling, drilling services, and mineral resource assessments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Iowa Geological Survey provides professional geological and water resource services for the state of Iowa, including geophysics, groundwater modeling, stratigraphy analysis, drilling services, and sediment laboratory analysis. It also maintains the GeoSam georeferenced sample database, the IGS Rock Library of core and rock chip specimens, and publishes research, data, and the IGS Geode magazine. Services are offered on a quote basis to government agencies, researchers, academic institutions, and the general public.

Product overview

Iowa Geological Survey is a research and service organization within the University of Iowa's College of Engineering that provides geological and water resource services. The organization offers a unified portfolio of services including geophysics, groundwater modeling, drilling services, and sediment laboratory analysis. Key data offerings include GeoSam (a georeferenced sampling database) and the IGS Rock Library (containing 30 miles of core samples). Research services span hydrogeology, water quality, mineral resources, paleontology, floodplain processes, and watershed studies. The IGS Geode annual magazine publishes research findings. The organization also provides public education through Iowa Geology content covering landforms, parks, fossils, meteorites, and geological hazards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GeoSam Georeferenced sampling database system for managing and accessing Iowa geological samples and data, provided by the state geological survey.
• Geophysics Services Professional geophysical research and survey services for subsurface investigation and imaging, available to government agencies, researchers, and organizations on a quote basis.
• Groundwater Modeling Hydrogeological modeling services for groundwater resource assessment and management, including source-water and watershed applications.
• Stratigraphy & General Geology Services Stratigraphic analysis and general geological survey services supporting characterization of Iowa's geological formations.
• Drilling Services Professional drilling services for geological sample collection and subsurface investigation, available on a quote basis through the Iowa Geological Survey.
• Sediment Lab Services Laboratory analysis services for sediment samples and geological materials, provided by the Iowa Geological Survey Sediment Lab.
• IGS Rock Library Repository of rock core samples and geological specimens maintained by the Iowa Geological Survey, containing approximately 30 miles of core samples and 1.5 million bags of rock chips for research and reference use.
• IGS Geode Magazine Annual magazine publication showcasing Iowa Geological Survey activities and research findings, distributed as a communication and outreach product of the state survey.
• Data and Publications Access to geological data, research publications, and reports generated by the Iowa Geological Survey, including online publications and the IGS Geode magazine.

Quantifiable outcome

• Discovery of meteor impact 470 million years ago in northeast Iowa

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Global design and consultancy providing water, environmental, and geotechnical services. Comparable through overlapping capabilities in groundwater modeling, water quality, and environmental assessments relevant to IGS's service portfolio.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): Federal counterpart to IGS, providing nationwide geological, hydrological, and biological science services. Comparable as the dominant U.S. geological agency, though it operates at a much larger scale and broader scope than the Iowa state-level survey.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm offering environmental, water resources, and geotechnical engineering services. Comparable through overlapping groundwater, environmental, and geophysics capabilities IGS provides to Iowa clients.
• Tetra Tech: Global consulting and engineering firm providing water, environmental, and geoscience services for government and commercial clients. Comparable as a provider of geoscience and hydrogeology services overlapping with IGS's commercial offerings.
• Golder Associates (now part of WSP): Global engineering consultancy specializing in ground engineering, environmental, and water resources. Comparable as a deeper-pocketed competitor offering many of the same geotechnical, hydrogeology, and site investigation services IGS provides.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management): Global sustainability and environmental consulting firm serving clients with environmental site assessments, water resource management, and due diligence. Comparable as a private-sector competitor for environmental consulting work IGS performs.

Emerging players

• Haley & Aldrich: Environmental and geotechnical engineering consultancy specializing in subsurface investigations, hydrogeology, and site assessments. Comparable in core service areas (drilling, sediment lab, geotechnical) but privately held and commercial.

Direct peers

• Minnesota Geological Survey: University of Minnesota-based state geological survey offering geological mapping, hydrogeology, and mineral resource assessments. Directly comparable in scope, host institution, and Midwestern U.S. focus.
• Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey: University of Wisconsin Extension-based state survey providing geological mapping, water resources, and environmental assessments. Closely matches IGS's structure, university affiliation, and service portfolio.
• Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS): State geological survey at the University of Illinois providing geological mapping, groundwater, mineral resources, and drilling services for Illinois. Closest direct peer to IGS in mission, structure, and service mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IowaGeoSurvey
• Facebookfacebook.com/IowaGeologicalSurvey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-geological-survey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Iowa Geological Survey