IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
NEOSHO RIVER-KANSAS
The Kansas Water Office will soon begin a Stream Bank Stability and Riparian Restoration Project on a 3.5 mile segment of the Neosho River located above John Redmond Reservoir and ending where the Cottonwood River and Neosho River converge. About 13 “hot-spot” locations along this Neosho River segment have been identified. Sediment movement and reduction of nutrient transport into John Redmond Reservoir are the primary targets of this project. Project cost is about $1 million. [Read More & View Video]
GRAND LAKE-HONEY CREEK
In late 2006, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission began the Honey Creek Watershed Improvement Project which targeted pollution risks from elevated nutrients, bacteria, sediment transport and other pollutants. Honey Creek is a tributary stream and cove near Grove, Oklahoma, on Grand Lake. This project offered a variety of Best Management Practices (BMP) ranging from riparian area incentive payments, replacement of rural waste septic systems, establish buffer strips and stream bank protection, creating off-site watering facilities, proper waste utilization for poultry waste, and other BMP’s.
About $900,000 has been paid to voluntary participants in this project as of December 2009. These reimbursement payments include installation of ponds, riparian fencing, cake-out litter storage buildings, animal feeding/waste storage facilities, pasture planting, cross-fencing, watering facilities, pipeline, water wells for livestock, replacement of rural waste systems and other prevention activities. Participants have paid about $473,000 for their share of these BMP projects for about a $1.3 million project total.
In addition, Honey Creek is home to a Demonstration Farm established by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protecton Agency, and in cooperation with the Delaware County Conservation District. This project showcases best management practices. Click here to read more about the Honey Creek Project
GRAND LAKE WATERSHED-AR, KS, MO, & OK
A Grand Lake Watershed-wide Modeling/Targeting Study will soon begin. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has contracted this study that will focus on sediment and nutrient modeling. The purpose of this study is to identify cost-effective measures and locations for future projects. The Foundation’s Grand Lake Watershed Plan lists this Modeling/Targeting Study as a priority project and was actively supported by the Grand Lake Watershed Alliance Foundation.