The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has authority to regulate construction on all floodplains and floodways in the state for the purpose of establishing and implementing a program to promote the protection of life and property from floods and to promote the orderly development and wise use of the flood plains of the state.

Any person who desires to construct or maintain a structure, dam, obstruction, deposit or excavation, or allow the same in any flood plain or floodway has a responsibility to contact the department to determine whether approval is required from the department or a local government authorized to act for the department.