In the fall of 2014 the Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) received state and federal funds to produce a watershed management plan for the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake and River Enhancement Program has provided funds to collect and analyze water quality data at multiple locations throughout the watershed. Water sampling locations will be tested on a monthly basis for total suspended solids, turbidity, nitrate + nitrite, total kjehldahl nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus and E. coli. In addition to chemical testing, each sampling location will be assessed using biological and habitat assessments. United States Environmental Protection Agency funds have been provided to the project through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program. IDEM funds will be used to produce the watershed management plan, conduct education/outreach events, and in-stall a demonstration best management practice in the watershed.
The project will identify critical areas within the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed that are contributing to water quality impairments, and work with local landowners to install a demonstration best management practice in one of these critical areas to improve local water quality. The project began January 1st of 2015 and will continue for the next three years.
For more information contact Matthew Linn – Cardno: Senior Staff Scientist. 574-586-3400 matthew.linn@cardno.com or the Marshall County SWCD 574-936-2024 ext. 3.
The picture below is the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed.