IOWA FALLS — The City of Iowa Falls is asking the state for permission to withdraw as much as 50 million gallons of water each year from the Iowa River to help maintain a recreational waterfall, a sizable increase from the city’s current annual allotment.
The proposed modification to Iowa Falls’ water-use permit would raise the city’s authorized annual withdrawal from 36 million gallons to 50 million gallons, an increase of 14 million gallons, or nearly 39 percent.
The request comes as water availability continues to draw attention across Iowa. NorthIowaToday.com recently reported that drought conditions have lingered in parts of the state despite periodic rainfall, with state officials continuing to monitor streamflow, soil moisture and water availability:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/09/13/northern-iowa-drought-refuses-to-break-despite-august-rain-as-hot-dry-fall-threat-lingers/
Water would be used to maintain a recreational waterfall
The proposed permit would allow Iowa Falls to withdraw water from the Iowa River from May 21 through October 15 of each year for recreational purposes to maintain a waterfall.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources public notice says the city is seeking authorization to withdraw water at a maximum rate of 700 gallons per minute, or approximately 1.56 cubic feet per second.
The permit area is in Section 13, Township 89 North, Range 21 West in Hardin County.
The City of Iowa Falls Park Department is listed as the permit holder.
Annual allotment would jump by nearly 39 percent
Iowa Falls is currently authorized for an annual water allotment of 36 million gallons.
The modification would increase that ceiling to 50 million gallons per year.
That does not necessarily mean the city would withdraw the full 50 million gallons every year. It would establish the maximum amount Iowa Falls could use under the modified permit.
If the city did use the entire allotment, however, the increase alone would amount to another 14 million gallons of Iowa River water available for the recreational project.
NorthIowaToday.com has reported on other significant Iowa water-use permit requests this year, including a northwest Iowa cattle operation seeking authority to withdraw nearly 79 million gallons annually:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/07/16/northwest-iowa-cattle-farm-seeks-permit-to-pump-nearly-79-million-gallons-of-water-annually/
Recreational purpose makes request stand out
What makes the Iowa Falls proposal particularly notable is the purpose of the water use.
The requested withdrawal is not primarily for drinking water, sanitation, firefighting or an industrial operation. The public notice identifies the purpose as recreational use to maintain a waterfall.
That distinguishes the application from many municipal water permits.
For comparison, NIT recently reported on the City of Meservey’s request to operate a new municipal well and increase its pumping capacity to provide water for ordinary municipal purposes:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/07/12/meservey-moves-closer-to-state-approval-for-new-municipal-water-well/
DNR recommends approval
The Iowa DNR said it has determined that the proposed use conforms with the relevant requirements of Iowa Code Chapter 455B and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 567.
The agency is recommending that the permit modification be granted.
The proposal would give Iowa Falls greater flexibility to operate the recreational waterfall during the warmer months when the feature is in use.
Iowa water supplies have faced scrutiny
The application comes during a period of heightened attention to Iowa’s water resources.
Earlier this year, dry conditions spread across portions of Iowa, while officials monitored declining moisture levels and the possibility of water shortages in some areas. NIT reported in June that water scarcity concerns were growing as much of Iowa slipped into abnormally dry conditions:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/06/10/central-iowa-water-warning-raises-questions-about-drinking-water-safety-scarcity-in-northern-iowa/
Concerns about river and stream flows are not new. NIT also reported previously that low stream flows in northern Iowa created concerns for fish and aquatic life as dry conditions intensified:
https://northiowatoday.com/2024/10/30/iowa-stream-flows-concerning-heading-in-to-winter-dnr-says/
Iowa River already at center of recreation projects
The Iowa River has also been the focus of other recreation-related projects in Hardin County.
In late 2025, NorthIowaToday.com reported on a $1.3 million Iowa River restoration, water recreation and safety project at Steamboat Rock involving the gradual removal of the Steamboat Rock Dam and new river habitat and recreation features:
https://northiowatoday.com/2025/12/05/1-3-million-iowa-river-restoration-project-begins-at-steamboat-rock/
The Iowa Falls permit request adds another water-management question along the river: how much water should be set aside for recreational use, particularly during periods of lower flow.
For now, the DNR’s position is clear. The agency has determined that the proposed use meets state criteria and is recommending approval of the modified permit.
Be the only hog manure waterfall in the USA.
So where does the water go after flowing over the waterfall?