Overview
Viking Lake State Park Air Monitoring Station in Iowa, United States, is an operational facility that tracks ambient air quality. Operated by the University Hygienic Laboratory, it contributes to the EPA Air Quality System network.
Viking Lake State Park Air Monitoring Station is an operational air quality monitoring facility located at 2780 Viking Lake Road in Montgomery County, Iowa, United States. The station is part of the national ambient air monitoring network and is operated by the University Hygienic Laboratory (University of Iowa). As a state park site, it provides representative background air quality data for the region. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Monitoring stations like this one follow siting criteria to ensure data representativeness. The facility's last reported sample date is October 31, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. This monitoring station plays a key role in assessing air quality in a rural recreational area, supporting public health and environmental management. Its data helps track compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and informs local air quality trends. The station's location in a state park also provides valuable baseline measurements away from urban emission sources.
Environmental context
The station is situated in a rural state park environment in southwestern Iowa, an area characterized by mixed agricultural and natural landscapes. Air monitoring in such settings is crucial for understanding background pollutant levels and the influence of regional transport. The facility likely measures criteria pollutants and meteorological parameters, contributing to the EPA's network for assessing long-term air quality trends and regulatory compliance.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at 2780 Viking Lake Road in Montgomery County, Iowa, United States, within Viking Lake State Park.
As an air monitoring station, it typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and other parameters as part of the EPA Air Quality System network.
The station is operated by the University Hygienic Laboratory (University of Iowa), which is the reporting agency for the facility.
The station operates under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System (AQS), which implements the Clean Air Act and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Monitoring in a state park provides baseline air quality data away from urban sources, helping to assess regional background pollution and the impact of nearby agricultural or industrial activities.
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