At the Center for Rural Affairs, we believe that rural Iowans should be involved in the decisions that impact their futures. We also believe the state’s most effective path to cleaner water includes a strong emphasis on a watershed approach led by local leaders. As such, we work to support Iowa’s Watershed Management Authorities (WMA) at all stages of their development and project implementation. Because of these beliefs, we hope to facilitate the strengthening of existing watershed management authorities in the state, while providing resources to communities who are considering the formation of a new one.
This webpage is intended to serve as a resource library for watersheds across Iowa to inform, assist, and empower those who live within their boundaries. We believe that strong local action, paired with robust stakeholder input, provides a realistic, long-term opportunity for improved water quality in Iowa.
In 2022 and 2023, we surveyed Iowa’s WMAs to learn more about their successes, needs, and current standing. Our findings can be found in the report, “From the source: a Look at Iowa’s Watershed Management Authorities.”
Map of existing watershed management authorities in Iowa
Watershed management plans and primary contact
- Beaver Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Laura James, project coordinator, 515.236.3300, [email protected]
- Boone River Watershed Management Authority, no plan on file, Dean Kluss, Wright County Supervisor, 515.532.3262, [email protected]
- Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Eric Schmechel, Dubuque County, [email protected]
- Clear Creek Watershed Coalition, plan on file, John Rathbun, project coordinator, 319.337.2322 ext. 3, [email protected]
- East Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition, plan on file, Cara Marker-Morgan, Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development, [email protected]
- West Nishnabotna Watershed Coaltion, plan on file, Cara Marker-Morgan, Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development, [email protected]
- English River Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jody Bailey, project coordinator, 319.656.2310, [email protected]
- Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jonathan Swanson, Polk County, [email protected]
- Headwaters of the South Skunk Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Linda Murken, chair, [email protected]
- Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jennifer Fencl, environmental services director, East Central Iowa Council of Governments, [email protected]
- Ioway Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, David Stein, project coordinator, 515.232.0048, [email protected]
- Little Sioux Headwaters Coalition, no plan on file, John Wills, project coordinator, Dickinson Soil & Water Conservation District, 712.330.9492, [email protected]
- Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority, no plan on file, Jon Bell, chair, 563.886.2101, [email protected]
- Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority, plan in progress, Lori Scovel, Limestone Bluffs Resource Conservation & Development, 563.221.1930, [email protected]
- Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jennifer Fencl, environmental services director, East Central Iowa Council of Governments, [email protected]
- Middle-South Raccoon Watershed Management Authority, no plan on file, Melinda Harney, administrative assistant, 515.993.6847
- Mud Camp Spring Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jonathan Swanson, Polk County, [email protected]
- North and Middle Rivers WMA, no plan on file, Allison van Pelt, senior planner, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, 515.334.0075, [email protected]
- North Raccoon River Watershed Management Coalition, plan on file, Jonathan Gano, chair, 515.237.1425, [email protected]
- Shell Rock River Watershed Management Coalition, no plan on file, Ken Nelson, chair, [email protected]
- Soap Creek Watershed Board, plan on file, Jerry Parker, chair, Wapello County Supervisors, 641.683.4630, [email protected]
- South Central Iowa Cedar Creek Watershed Management Authority, no plan on file, Linda Shumate, coordinator, Monroe Soil & Water Conservation District, 641.932.5144 ext. 3041, [email protected]
- Turkey River Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Rod Marlatt, chair, 563.422.5146, [email protected]
- Upper Cedar River Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Doug Johnson, project coordinator, Charles City Watershed , 641.228.2725 ext. 3, [email protected]
- Upper Iowa River Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Ross Evelsizer, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, 563.864.7112, [email protected]
- Upper Wapsipinicon River Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Ross Evelsizer, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, 563.864.7112, [email protected]
- Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority, plan on file, Jonathan Swanson, Polk County, [email protected]
- West Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition, Shaun Ahern - project coordinator, Golden Hills RC&D, 712.482.3029, [email protected]
Resources
- Opportunity for Iowa's Watershed Management Authorities: Underserved Farmer to Farmer Grant
- From the Source: A Look at Iowa’s Watershed Management Authorities
- Iowa's Watershed Management Authorities: A Farmer and Landowner Perspective
- Fact Sheet: Opportunity for Iowa's Watershed Management Authorities: Nutrient Reduction Strategy Demonstration Projects
- Fact Sheet: Opportunity for Iowa’s Watershed Management Authorities: Local American Rescue Plan Act funds
- Fact Sheet: Building Momentum: Tools for Watershed Management Authorities
- Fact Sheet: Watershed Management Authorities in Iowa
- Fact Sheet: Watershed Planning 101
- Fact Sheet: Leveraging local funds for watershed improvement
