Farmers in Iowa and around the country are set to face a new set of uncertainties, and the potential of delays, red tape and steep fines, as the controversial new "Waters of the United States," or WOTUS, rule takes effect Aug. 28.

The new rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is designed to redefine which waters are covered under the federal Clean Water Act. However, since it was first...