State, federal and local law enforcement agencies are reminding Iowa boaters to leave alcohol and drugs off the water this Independence Day weekend as part of the annual Operation Dry Water campaign, running July 3-5.
The nationwide enforcement and education effort aims to reduce boating while intoxicated (BWI), prevent alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents, and keep Iowa’s lakes and waterways safe during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
“Recognizing that impaired boating is as dangerous as impaired driving is vital,” said Rachel Alliss, boating education coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Together, we can prevent incidents and save lives.”
According to the Iowa DNR, alcohol remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. Alcohol and drugs—including prescription medications—can impair judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Those effects are often intensified by exposure to sun, wind and waves, increasing the risk of serious injury or death for both boat operators and passengers.
“One-third of all boating fatalities nationally involved alcohol,” Alliss said. “Many of those victims were innocent bystanders.”
During Operation Dry Water 2025, Iowa DNR conservation officers and partner agencies contacted more than 1,230 vessels carrying 5,036 boaters, resulting in 382 citations or warnings and 21 boating while intoxicated arrests.
The lakes and waterways with the highest number of BWI arrests in 2025 included:
- Coralville Reservoir – 5
- Mississippi River – 4
- Rathbun Reservoir – 4
- Clear Lake – 1
- Lake Manawa – 1
For comparison, 2024 recorded 13 BWI arrests, with the following locations reporting arrests:
- Coralville Reservoir – 4
- Clear Lake – 1
- Lake Manawa – 1
- Rathbun Reservoir – 1
In 2023, Iowa officers made 27 BWI arrests, with the highest totals occurring at:
- Okoboji – 5
- Rathbun Reservoir – 4
- Clear Lake – 3
- Saylorville Reservoir – 3
- Coralville Reservoir – 2
- Lake Manawa – 2
- Mississippi River – 2
The Iowa DNR encourages all boaters to designate a sober operator, remain alert while on the water, wear a properly fitted life jacket, and complete a boating safety education course before heading out.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR)
