Individual Iowans make the difference when it comes to improving our state's water. You can make an even stronger impact by coming together as a group at a local level to improve your hometown stream, river or lake.

As part of an organized watershed project, you are eligible for funding and other assistance from agencies like the DNR to control the amount of pollution reaching your favorite stream or lake.

Starting a project Meet with your local Soil and Water Conservation District, regional coordinator or the DNR Apply for a Watershed Planning Assistance Grant Apply for funding to implement the project Use funding to install conservation practices and raise awareness

What a watershed project does An organized watershed project works with local landowners and residents to make changes on the land. Those changes on the land help prevent pollutants from reaching lakes, rivers and streams. An organized project can provide financial assistance to landowners to use conservation practices, which are ways to manage the land for better water quality. Projects can also organize different volunteer and community events to help improve water quality. Read about watershed project success stories Getting started If you have a local stream, river or lake that is of concern, needs its good water quality maintained or is included on the state's impaired waters list, your group can be eligible for grant funding from a number of sources. If that's the case, have your group meet with your local Soil and Water Conservation District, your regional watershed coordinator (see below) or the DNR to put together an application for a Watershed Planning Assistance Grant. This grant funding will help you assess the problems in your watershed and create a plan for improving the watershed.

Receiving a planning assistance grant will help you with the next step: applying for funds to implement the project and make a real difference in your local stream or lake.

Bigalk Creek before a watershed project. Bigalk Creek after a watershed project.

Additional information on creating a watershed project is available from the DNR or your regional watershed coordinator. Steve Hopkins, Iowa DNR (515) 281-6402 or Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov Bob Waters, Regional Coordinator for western Iowa (712) 243-2913 ext. 207 or Bob.Waters@iowaagriculture.gov Jeff Tisl, Regional Coordinator for northeast Iowa (563) 422-6201 or Jeff.Tisl@iowaagriculture.gov Vince Sitzmann, Regional Coordinator for southeast Iowa (515) 242-6008 or Vince.Sitzmann@iowaagriculture.gov Request an introductory watershed improvement folder

Additional funding tools:

• Watershed Planning Assistance Grant program
• Apply for Section 319 Funding and Water Quality Project Grants
• Funding for Nonpoint Source Pollution Controls
• Iowa's State Revolving Fund for water quality projects
• List of Funding Sources (*.pdf)
• Technical Guide: Watershed Project Planning Protocol: A step-by-step Technical Guide (*.pdf)
• Get the tools you need for watershed assessments (*.pdf)