The North Raccoon Watershed covers an area of approximately 1,734 square miles in central Iowa. It is a part of the larger Upper Mississippi River Basin and is home to several lakes, streams, and reservoirs. The watershed has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Its hydrology is largely influenced by precipitation, with the majority of the watershed's runoff occurring during the spring and summer months. Snowpack in the area is relatively low, with an average of 23 inches per year. The watershed's surface water is used for drinking, irrigation, and recreation, and is monitored for various constituents, including nitrate and phosphorus levels. Interesting climatic trends include an increase in extreme precipitation events and longer growing seasons due to warming temperatures. Efforts to improve water quality through conservation practices and agricultural management are ongoing in the watershed.