Iowa’s watershed management authorities are impactful. But they need funding.
There is no long-term, stable financial support for such entities, creating unmet demand for local conservation practices.
Iowa’s watershed management authorities are making positive impacts — but they need more funding, according to a recent Center for Rural Affairs report.
The Iowa Legislature first enabled watershed management authorities in 2010 following the 2008 flood. They are agreements between cities, counties and soil and water conservation districts that coordinate water quality improvement and flood mitigation efforts with landowners in watersheds — or areas where water drains into a common water body.
Iowa’s 27 existing watershed management authorities cover 40 percent of the state. Across the board, they have received a patchwork of funding from all levels of government, along with community support.
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