The Iowa Watersheds Project: Iowa’s prototype for engaging communities and professionals in watershed hazard mitigation

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In response to the 2008 floods, the creation of the Iowa Flood Center and Watershed Management Authorities (WMAs) in Iowa led to a synergy of local communities and technical experts engaging with one another to reduce flood risks. The state of Iowa received funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a statewide watershed improvement project called the Iowa Watersheds Project (IWP). The IWP worked with WMAs in four watersheds across the state to use scientific research and hydrologic modeling to inform the strategic placement of best management practices (BMPs) on the landscape. These practices help to increase the storage capacity of the landscape and mitigate downstream flood damage.

L. Weber, M. Muste, A. A. Bradley, A.A Amado, I. Demir, C. Drake, W. Krajewski, T. Loeser, M. Politano, B. Shea, N. Thomas. “The Iowa Watersheds Project: Iowa’s prototype for engaging communities and professionals in watershed hazard mitigation.” International Journal of River Basin Management. DOI: 10.1080/15715124.2017.1387127, 2017.