The Iowa Watershed Approach (IWA) is a vision for Iowa’s future that voluntarily engages stakeholders throughout the watershed to achieve common goals, while moving toward a more resilient state. It is a replicable model for other communities where the landscape has lost its natural resilience to floods. This program is not only about Iowans helping Iowans, but also about demonstrating Iowans’ commitment to agricultural stewardship, to the environment, to their neighbors, and to the future. The goals of the IWA include the following:

• Reduction of flood risk;
• Improvement in water quality;
• Increased resilience;
• Engagement of stakeholders through collaboration, outreach, and education;
• Improved quality of life and health for Iowans; and
• Development of a replicable program.

“The Iowa Watershed Approach is about everyone coming in and lifting a little bit for the benefit of the greater all.” – Larry Weber, IWA Project Lead