Following major flooding in 2008 leading to federal disaster declarations in 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties, the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa created the Iowa Watershed Approach (IWA), a community-led program supported by state and federal partners to develop and implement strategies to mitigate flood damage and increase resilience. Through three distinct programs (urban infrastructure, flood mitigation, and flood resilience), IWA has two main objectives: reducing flooding during heavy rainfall and improving water quality year-round. The program targeted watersheds impacted by floods from 2011-2013 but represents a vision for Iowa’s future that voluntarily engages stakeholders and promotes collaboration to achieve common goals.