Lawn & Garden • Water • Updated October 29, 2026

Best Rain Barrels for Iowa Homes: 6 Picks, Rebates and Winter Tips

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A single summer storm can send hundreds of gallons off an Iowa roof and into the storm drain. A rain barrel catches some of that water for your garden, and several Iowa cities will even pay part of the cost. This guide covers how much water you can collect, which Iowa cities offer rebates, how to keep mosquitoes out, why you must drain it before winter, and six barrels and parts sold by Amazon.com.

The short answer

For most Iowa homes, a 50-gallon flat-back rain barrel with a screened top, a spigot near the bottom and an overflow port is the best start. Set it on a level, solid base, raise it on a stand for better hose pressure, keep every opening screened against mosquitoes, and send overflow away from your foundation. Before the first hard freeze, drain it, leave the spigot open and disconnect it or switch your diverter to winter mode. Check whether your city offers a rebate first; some require approval before you buy.

How a rain barrel works

A rain barrel sits under a gutter downspout. Roof water flows in through a screened opening, a spigot near the bottom lets you fill a watering can or attach a hose, and an overflow port sends extra water away once the barrel is full. A diverter, which fits into the downspout, lets you switch between filling the barrel and sending water down the spout as usual.

How much can you collect? As a rule of thumb, 1 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof produces roughly 600 gallons. A Des Moines-area rain barrel seller told WeAreIowa that even a quarter inch of rain can fill three 50-gallon barrels. That is why many Iowa homeowners link two or more barrels.

Use rain barrel water for gardens, lawns, houseplants and washing tools, not for drinking. When watering vegetables, water the soil rather than the leaves and wash produce before eating, as University of Kentucky guidance advises.

Iowa rain barrel rebates

Many other Iowa cities, including several in the Des Moines metro, Sioux City and others, run similar stormwater programs. Search your city name plus “rain barrel rebate”, and keep your dated receipt and a photo of the installed barrel.

Rain barrel setup tips

1. Build a level, solid base. A full barrel can weigh 400 pounds or more, so use pavers or a sturdy stand, never soft soil.
2. Raise it. A stand or blocks add pressure for a hose and make it easy to fit a watering can under the spigot.
3. Screen every opening. Stormwater programs recommend fine mesh on the inlet and overflow. Mosquitoes need several days of standing water to develop, so use the water regularly.
4. Use Bti dunks if needed. Extension sources note that Bti mosquito dunks kill larvae and are safe for birds, pets and fish.
5. Direct overflow away from the house, into a flower bed, lawn or rain garden, and check for erosion.
6. Keep gutters clean and rinse the screen so leaves do not clog the inlet.

Rain barrels in an Iowa winter

Water that freezes inside a barrel can crack the plastic and split fittings. In late fall, before hard freezes:

• Drain the barrel completely and leave the spigot open.
• Disconnect it from the downspout, or set your diverter to send water down the spout.
• Turn the barrel upside down or store it in a garage or shed. Collapsible barrels fold flat for storage.
• Reconnect in spring once nights stay above freezing.

Fall is also the time to clean up the rest of the yard; see our fall garden cleanup checklist.

Best rain barrels and parts

All six were listed as sold by Amazon.com at the time of writing. Check the current listing before you buy.

Best overall: RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel

A 50-gallon barrel made from 100 percent recycled, UV-resistant plastic, with a flat back that sits tight against the house. It has a built-in overflow you can use to link more barrels and a plastic spigot. The best value for a first barrel.

Upgrade spigot: RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel with Brass Spigot

The same 50-gallon flat-back design in a walnut color, with a brass spigot that holds up better than plastic to daily use and hose connections. It also has the built-in overflow for linking barrels. Worth the extra cost if the barrel is your main garden water source.

Best for more storage: RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel, 2-Pack with Stands

Two recycled-plastic 50-gallon barrels, each with its own stand, for 100 gallons of storage. Link them through the overflow so the second fills when the first is full. Note that the set may ship in more than one box. A good choice if your city rebates more than one barrel.

Best budget and easy storage: Happygrill 60-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel

A low-cost barrel with a PVC frame and mesh fabric that folds flat, which is a real advantage in Iowa: drain it in fall and store it in the garage all winter. It has a mesh top and spigot and sits under a downspout. It is less rigid than a hard plastic barrel, so keep it on flat, firm ground.

Sturdier collapsible: 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel with Support Poles

A heavier 550D PVC collapsible tank with six extra support poles for stability, a mesh filter top, and the accessories needed for setup in the box. Like other collapsibles, it folds away for winter, but it stands up better when full than lighter models.

Add-on: Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System (Diverter)

A diverter that fits standard 2 by 3 inch residential downspouts and feeds a barrel through a 4-foot high-flow hose. This bundle also includes a spare hose and an outlet plug, which Oatey says is used for winterizing: pull the hose, plug the port, and water goes down the downspout as normal. UV resistant and paintable to match your gutters.

Conclusion

A rain barrel is one of the simplest ways to save water and reduce runoff in Iowa. Start with a 50-gallon flat-back barrel like the RTS ECO, add a second barrel or a diverter as you go, keep every opening screened, and drain it before winter. Check your city first: a rebate can cover a big part of the cost.

FAQs

Are rain barrels legal in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa cities actively encourage them, and the City of Ames says rain barrels are completely legal and encouraged there. Several cities also offer rebates.

Do I need to empty my rain barrel in winter?
Yes. Drain it before hard freezes, leave the spigot open, and disconnect it or set the diverter to winter mode. Ice can crack the barrel and fittings.

How do I keep mosquitoes out of a rain barrel?
Cover the inlet and overflow with fine mesh, keep the lid tight, use the water often, and add Bti mosquito dunks if needed.

Can I use rain barrel water on vegetables?
Yes, for irrigation. Water the soil rather than the leaves and wash produce before eating. Do not drink rain barrel water.

How much water does a rain barrel collect?
About 600 gallons fall on 1,000 square feet of roof per inch of rain, so a 50-gallon barrel can fill in a light rain. Linking barrels adds storage.

Where should I put my rain barrel?
Under a downspout, on a level and solid base, raised on a stand, with overflow directed away from the foundation.

Sources and review scope

This guide was prepared on October 29, 2026 from the following sources and from the product listings on Amazon.com. Homingwell did not perform hands-on testing. Sellers were checked on Amazon.com on the same date.

• City of Ames – SmartWater and conservation rebates
• City of West Des Moines – Rain barrel reimbursement application
• City of Marion – Rain barrel rebate program
• WeAreIowa – Cities offering rain barrel rebates
• University of Kentucky – General rain barrel tips
• UF/IFAS Extension – Setting up a rain barrel
• Greater LA County Vector Control – Rain barrels and mosquitoes

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