April 22-23, 2026
Cedar Falls, IA
UNI – Maucker Union
1015 Maucker Rd, Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Weathering the storm:
Adapting together for resilient communities
IStorm 2026 brings together stormwater professionals from across Iowa to share knowledge, celebrate successes, and build community resilience. This year’s conference explores how infrastructure and people alike rise to meet today’s stormwater challenges while honoring the dedication of environmental professionals working to protect Iowa’s water resources.
Important links
- Innovative practices and resilient infrastructure
- Green infrastructure design, implementation, and performance
- Regulatory updates and compliance
- Community engagement and education
- Watershed management
- Professional development
- Keynote presentations from thought leaders
- Technical sessions and panel discussions
- Field tour of local stormwater projects
- Exhibitor showcase
- Evening networking reception
- Awards presentation
Laurie Nowatzke
Dr. Laurie Nowatzke is an Iowa-based sociologist in the areas of environmental conservation and agricultural sustainability. Her research has focused on farmers’ perspectives on climate change and water quality, and the ways that agricultural communities are responding to these crises. Throughout her career, Laurie has also worked closely with natural scientists and agricultural service providers to enhance education and outreach strategies. She is currently a research scientist in Iowa State University’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management. In the past, she has served as Associate Director of the USDA Midwest Climate Hub and as Measurement Coordinator for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Laurie earned her PhD in Sociology from Iowa State University, Master of Arts in Environmental Policy from Boston University, and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wright State University.
Larry Weber
Dr. Larry Weber serves as Director of IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering and Interim Director of the Iowa Flood Center. He is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Iowa, where he holds the Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics.
He helped establish the Iowa Flood Center and continues working with the Iowa Legislature on its development. His work includes leading statewide floodplain mapping programs and watershed projects for flood damage reduction, including the $97M Iowa Watershed Approach.
Larry serves on the Water Resources Coordinating Council and participates on numerous state and federal committees related to water resources planning. He frequently presents to community groups on water-related topics across Iowa.
His research interests span fish passage facilities, river hydraulics, hydropower, computational hydraulics, ice mechanics, water quality, and watershed processes.
A native Iowan, Larry enjoys fishing, hunting, and woodland restoration and conservation work.
Cedar Falls Flood Control Study
Jon Lindert, PE, LEED AP – Strand Associates, Inc.
Clear Creek Mitigation Bank as a Model for Stream Rehabilitation
Kelsey Fritze, PE – Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Sherri Proud – City of Coralville, IA
Designing Resilience: Phased Stormwater Improvement Solutions for Flood Mitigation in Sumner, Iowa
Nichole Sungren – MSA Professional Services; Jeff Felland – MSA Professional Services; Palen Stream – MSA Professional Services
Integrating Ecological Uplift and Flood Mitigation in Cedar Rapids: A Multi-Benefit Approach to Stormwater Management
Kate Barnes, PE – HR Green; Mat Saur – City of Cedar Rapids, IA
Looking Beyond MS4 Communities: Assessing Impervious Cover and Population Dynamics in Small Towns
Maryam Sahraei, PhD – ISG, Inc.
Minnesota Adopts Low Salt Design in Stormwater Manual
Connie Fortin – Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Paula Kalinosky, PE – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
On the Origin of Stormwater Management, by Means of Natural (distribution) Selection
Aaron Gwinnup, PE – RDG; Parker Just, PE – HR Green
Rethinking Stream Diversion: Sustainable Stream Management at Lake George
Tyler Searle – Muscle Wall; Bill Murphy, PE – Quick Supply Co
Shoreline Stabilization After Historic Flooding in Iowa’s Great Lakes
Ryan Benjegerdes, PE, CFM – Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Michelle Balmer – Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Using Generative AI in Stormwater Management – Hype or Helpful?
Wilf Nixon, PhD, PE – City of Pella, IA
Conservation Counts: 20 Years of Building Urban and Rural Partnerships for Targeted Watershed Improvement
Josh Balk – Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Water Quality Project Funding
Marie Amundson, PE – MSA Professional Services
Why Did You Stop at My Site? Understanding Small Site SWPPP Inspections and How to Stay Compliant
Terry Ullsperger, IECA, CISEC – City of Lincoln, NE
Your conference registration includes access to all sessions, exhibits, the field tour, and the Thursday evening happy hour. Meals include pastries and coffee each morning and lunch both days. Register here.
We’ve reserved a block of rooms at a special rate, available on a first-come, first-served basis through April 1, 2026. The room block may sell out before this date.
If rooms are no longer available in our block, contact us at iswepadmin@iowastormwater.org or Kerri Robinson at the hotel (kerri.robinson@hawkeyehotels.com) to inquire about availability.
Questions?
For more information about IStorm 2026, please contact:
Email: iswepadmin@iowastormwater.org
Thank you to our IStorm sponsors!
Our presenting sponsor:
