Cedar Rapids is launching a three‑year project to improve water quality and build flood resilience across the Middle Cedar Watershed, a move that directly impacts the drinking water and farmland of local residents.
According to KWWL, the city, the Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority and a network of conservation, agricultural and technical partners were awarded a $1.28 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Farmer‑to‑Farmer grant to fund the “Growing Resilience in the Middle Cedar Watershed” project, which runs from January 2026 through December 2028.
Five farmer cooperators will showcase conservation practices as part of the effort. Jim O’Connell, a Linn County farmer and one of the cooperators, said the grant creates a chance for farmers to learn from one another. “I believe using conservation practices is an important part of creating a sustainable future for our farms and our land,” O’Connell told KWWL. “The Farmer to Farmer project gives us an opportunity to learn from each other, try different practices, and see what works.”
Monitoring will be led by the Iowa Geological Survey and the University of Iowa. Matthew Streeter, a soil scientist for the Iowa Geological Survey, emphasized the importance of data collection: “Monitoring is a critical part of understanding how these practices perform on working farms. By measuring changes in soil and water over time, we can better understand what’s working and share those results with farmers and conservation professionals to help inform future conservation efforts across Iowa.”
The Middle Cedar Watershed spans 2,400 square miles of agricultural land, communities and tributaries that flow into the Cedar River and ultimately the Mississippi River. Partners will focus on four high‑priority sub‑watersheds and evaluate nature‑based solutions, including the restoration of oxbow lakes. Karen Wilke, associate director of freshwater for The Nature Conservancy, said, “Restoration brings back the ecosystem services that healthy floodplain wetlands like oxbows can naturally provide.”
To support outreach, the city hired Erin Erickson as watershed coordinator. Erickson will connect with the farming community and produce a video series highlighting conservation success stories. “I’m thrilled to be part of the Cedar Rapids team and to help tell the stories of the farmers who are working to improve water quality in our watershed,” she said.
Lauren Michael, the city’s newly appointed utilities director, said the initiative reflects Cedar Rapids’ commitment to protecting its water supply. “The City of Cedar Rapids is proud to lead this Growing Resilience initiative with our partners. We are dedicated to developing solutions that will protect drinking water and reduce flood impacts in the Middle Cedar watershed,” Michael told KWWL.
The project will conclude with a two‑day symposium in 2028, bringing together farmers, community leaders, elected officials and conservation professionals to mark the anniversary of the catastrophic Flood of 2008.
What’s next: The grant‑funded activities begin in January 2026, with farmer demonstrations rolling out throughout the three‑year period. Residents can expect regular updates via the city’s website and the upcoming video series, and the final symposium is scheduled for late 2028.
Sources: kwwl.com
