Sub-basin Watershed Management Plans and BMP Demonstrations Priorities of 319-Project

ERWIA’s 319 (Clean Water Act) Subgrant awarded by Mo. Dept. of Natural Resources has as its overall goal “to empower local stakeholders to make decisions, take responsibility, and participate in the development of community-based Watershed Management Plans (WMPs) and the implementation of effective BMPs/source control measures.”
  • Watershed Management Plans - WMP’s are being developed for each of the Elk River Watershed’s main sub-basins: Little Sugar Creek, Big Sugar Creek, Indian Creek, Buffalo Creek and the main stem of the Elk River. The WMP’s will address both point source and nonpoint source pollution. See the inset for the 9-critical elements required of all WMPs.
  • Best Management Practices (BMP) Demonstrations - Locations for water quality demonstration projects are now being sought within the Elk River Watershed. These BMP demonstrations will be implemented to serve as examples to others of voluntary, common sense actions that will prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution. BMP demonstrations will include rural and urban practices to address nonpoint source pollution.
    • The types of water quality demonstration projects and best management practices may include, but are not limited to the following:
    • Rain gardens and bio-swales in cooperation with cities and towns.
    • Bank stabilization or riparian corridor restoration in cooperation with riparian landowners.
    • Low-impact development, such as porous pavement or in cooperation with a developer in the urbanizing area.
    • Alternative watering system for off-stream livestock water source or poultry litter stacking sheds in cooperation with farm producers.
  • The 9-critical elements of Watershed Management Plans
    1. Identify causes and sources of pollutants
    2. Estimate expected pollutant load reductions
    3. Describe non-point source management measures
    4. Estimate financial and technical assistance needed
    5. Information and education to enhance understanding & encourage participation
    6. Implementation schedule of management measures for nonpoint source pollutants
    7. Describe interim measurable milestones
    8. Determine whether loading reductions are achieved
    9. Water quality monitoring to evaluate WMP’s effectiveness
  • Click map for larger version


    • “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VII, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.”

    Water Quality Improvement Project


    In the Elk River Watershed, the 5-year WQIP project focuses on four main areas: 1) partnering with Crowder College to initiate a training center for advanced on-site sewage systems targeting installers and other interested parties; 2) partnering with the community of Noel to enhance the connection between its citizens and visitors and the Elk River for phase one of a design for a streets-to-streams development in Noel; 3) demonstrating best management practices in both rural and urban settings within the through cost-share activities; and, 4) targeting information and education, including water awareness for children and adults. Click here to see pictures of the project open in a new browser. (or right-click, 'Save As' to download as a .pdf)

    Water Quality and Nutrient Sources in the Elk River Basin: A Study by the U.S. Geological Survey 2004-2007

    The study undertakes four major work tasks (1) basic stream gage and water-quality monitoring network and interpretation of all project data in a USGS report, (2) stream bed-sediment study, (3) seepage and water-quality studies along selected stream reaches, and (4) storm-event sampling at selected sites.
    [USGS Report]

    Watershed Action Management Plan

    CTIC Watershed Management Action Plan (WMAP). During the development of the ERWIA's WMAP, three broad priority resource concerns were identified. Each of the goal statements, strategies for change and action steps contained in this Watershed Management Action Plan relate to one or more of these three priority concerns:

    1. High quality streams and rivers
    2. Land conservation and stewardship
    3. Sustainable economies and smart growth

    Drury University's Indian Creek Project

    In 2004, a Field Studies in Geography class at Drury University explored the Lanagan area in order to perform water quality tests and observe the overall health of the local environment. Follow the link to their on-line report. [more]