Body of a Rochester, Minnesota man recovered from the Upper Iowa River

On April 19, 2026 at approximately 12:36 am, an Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy located a  vehicle parked at Wild Landing near the intersection of Iowa River Drive and Lycurgus Road. A check of the vehicle indicated that it was registered to a male from Rochester, Minnesota who  had been missing since April 16, 2026.  

A search of the area and Upper Iowa River was conducted and was unsuccessful. On April 20,  2026 law enforcement returned to the area and began searching by boat. At approximately  11:54 am the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an individual reporting a  body in the Upper Iowa River. Officers with the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office and Iowa  Department of Natural Resources responded to the location and confirmed a male individual  was located in the water approximately three miles down river from Wild Landing. 

The body of Don Allen Watson (age 34) of Rochester, Minnesota was recovered from the Upper  Iowa River. The Allamakee County Medical Examiners Office pronounced Watson deceased. The  incident remains under investigation by the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office. 

No foul play is suspected. 

Assisting at the scene was the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Natural  Resources, New Albin Fire Department, Waterville Fire Department, New Albin - Lansing Police  Department, Allamakee County Emergency Management and the Allamakee County Medical  Examiners Office.