Effective water quality programs depend upon the active support and involvement of watershed residents and stakeholders. Water quality issues are often complex but improvement requires action by both government and private sectors. This primer about water quality will further help you participate in your watershed.

The ability to restore and improve water quality is often dependent upon many, many seemingly small steps and actions. But it is the totality of many diverse and repeated improvement efforts that often achieves water quality improvement. This includes steps taken by you, your friends, and associates.

This Education Section also will allow you to better understand the current water quality conditions within the Grand Lake watershed. You will also find information about the steps and programs that must be taken to improve water quality.

Below is an example of a small Stream Bank Restoration Project that was completed in the Honey Creek Watershed near Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees in northeast Oklahoma. This restoration project targeted reducing stream bank erosion and sediment movement. It also provided a buffer zone to reduce nutrients entering the waters. The first photograph shows what the 400 foot area looked like Before the project. The second photograph shows the restoration site During the project. And the bottom photograph shows the restoration site after Completion.

[HONEY CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT located near Grand Lake O' The Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma.]

Before

During

After