Iowa Watershed Approach

The Iowa Watershed Approach (IWA) program worked in nine unique watersheds, each with established Watershed Management Authorities (WMAs) representing Iowa's various landform regions and communities. The IWA targeted watersheds impacted by floods from 2011-2013. The program represents a vision for Iowa's future that voluntarily engages stakeholders and promotes collaboration to achieve common goals. Momentum for this program stemmed from the  Iowa Watersheds Project. 

In January 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a $97 million award to the state of Iowa for the IWA, administered by the  Iowa Economic Development Authority .

The IWA had three distinct programs; urban infrastructure; flood mitigation; and flood resilience. This story map is a snapshot of the six-year program.

“The Iowa Watershed Approach has two main objectives: reducing flooding during heavy rainfall and improve water quality year-round. A flood-first program plus improvement in water quality equals a more resilient Iowa.” - Larry Weber, co-founder of the Iowa Flood Center and leader of the Iowa Watershed Approach

In 2019, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund , a delegation of North Carolinians traveled to Iowa for four days to learn about the Iowa Watershed Approach with the idea of replicating a similar model in North Carolina. Recent Hurricane's causing devastating coastal and inland flood damage had many organizations and elected officials looking to the future to make adaptations and policy changes to increase resilience.

At the beginning of 2020, the Iowa Watershed Approach partners were moving full-speed in making progress to develop a replicable, resilient, watershed management framework. Other states and nationally recognized organizations were contacting the Iowa Flood Center for conversations on knowledge sharing and seeking water resource expertise. In January 2020, the Iowa Flood Center welcomed 30 Texans to Iowa—willing to travel to Iowa to learn during the coldest time of the year.They spent two days with IFC, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering staff, and several IWA partners to learn about tools, technical resources, water resource collaborations, data sharing, and the IWA project.

At the end of March 2020, while most of the state was closed for health and safety concerns from COVID-19, Iowa Watershed Approach partners and stakeholders were navigating new challenges to communicate and complete work during unprecedented times of the pandemic. Many took to virtual formats and increased communication with contractors and participating landowners. Although many partners were working remotely, flood resilience work was still occurring on the landscape. Practices continued to be built, and flood resilience stakeholder meetings and plans were modified to accommodate safety and health precautions. It wasn't until spring 2022 that field days, watershed tours, WMA board meetings, and conferences started to return to in person.