Watershed steps need follow-up

As Iowans continues along the long road to recovery from historic 2008 flooding, it's just as important that we plan for the possibility of future catastrophic flood events.

And a crucial part of that planning is improving the way we manage our state's watersheds.

We can't control the weather, but by improving the land's ability to absorb moisture - by implementing smarter agricultural and development policies - we can have some effect on how high and how fast the water will rise during future floods.

It's complicated work, but critical if we're to reduce the catastrophic effects of future flooding. We're glad to see that state legislators took some steps toward that goal during this past session. But there still is much work to do.

Legislators established a watershed planning advisory council to review research and make recommendations about ways to protect our water resources, mitigate and prevent future flooding, and coordinate the management of our shared water resources.

Membership on that advisory council is appropriately broad - representing agricultural and environmental interests, urban and rural groups, state departments and private groups.

Because watersheds don't stop at the city or county line, the new legislation gives cities, counties, and soil and water conservation districts the ability to form watershed management authorities. Those can assess water quality and flood risk, and look into options to improve the former and reduce the latter.

Another collaboration between state and federal departments will work to establish watershed demonstration pilots for rural and urban areas, looking for strategies to help maximize land capacity to hold water and better manage water runoff when upland soils are saturated.

It also will help minimize severe scour erosion and sand deposition during floods and help mitigate flood damage.

But what the legislation doesn't do is require cities or counties to participate in watershed management authorities - or any activity geared toward improving water quality or mitigating future flooding.

It's up to local governments and landowners to make land-use changes that help protect all of us from future flooding. They should embrace change and collaborate rather than wait for state or federal mandates.

Iowa State University researchers have said the peak water flow in our rivers and creeks could increase 50 percent by midcentury. They say that's partly due to a probable increase in “extreme rainfall events”, but also because development and the widespread agricultural use of drainage tile funnel water faster to our waterways.

Rainfall may be out of our control. But we have an opportunity, and a collective responsibility, to better manage that water once it hits the ground.

-- The Gazette Editorial Board