Fayette SWCD Water Quality Projects in the Turkey River

WatershedPostville, Iowa

January 31, 2013

Fayette County OfficeSeven staff

members◦ 4 Federal◦ 1 State◦ 1 District/DNR◦ 1 District

watershed coordinator

I have been with the SWCD since 2003 and am starting on my 4th watershed project in the Turkey River watershed

Past and Current Water Quality Projects in the Turkey RiverGlovers Creek

◦ 1990-1994Grannis Creek

◦ 2002-2005Mink Creek

◦ 2004-2009Volga Lake –

Publically Owned Lakes Funds

Nutting Creek◦ 2008-2012

West Union Greenscape Project◦ 2010-ongoing

Upper Otter Creek◦ 2013-

Upper Otter Creek Watershed16,740 acre

watershed that includes Otter and Glovers Creeks – both trout streams

Received WIRB funding Jan 2013

The long term objective is to transition from the Upper Otter Project into a Lower Otter Project

West Union Greenscape Project

Water Quality MonitoringLong term

relationship with Upper Iowa University

UIU Professor Klann and his students have monitored various streams for over 10 years

Information and EducationAll projects have

had an information and education component◦ Field Days◦ Newsletters◦ Brochures◦ Fair booth displays◦ School programs◦ Landowner surveys

Landowner Involvement in Turkey River Watershed

Grade stabilization structures

Reduced tillageWRP and EWP

EasementsFamiliar with

watershed projects

Conservation Programs◦ CRP ~ 16,500 ac◦ CSP contracts ~ 63 ◦ EQIP contracts ~ 61◦ EQIP applications ~ 47◦ REAP ~ ◦ WHIP ~ 20/20 contacts◦ State-cost share

~3 approved ~9 pending