Parts of both the Elk River Watershed and the Spring River Watershed are located within the state of Missouri. The Elk River Watershed constitutes about 10% of the total Grand Lake Watershed. About 866 square miles are located in southwest Missouri. But parts of northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma drain into the Elk River watershed.

The Spring River Watershed accounts for about 25% of the Grand Lake Watershed. Neither of these two watersheds has any reservoirs nor major lakes but both rivers flow into Grand Lake, which is located in northeast Oklahoma. Lamar, Missouri does have a community reservoir. Both the Elk River and Spring River Watersheds are believed to be sources of elevated nutrient levels flowing into Grand Lake thereby raising pollution risks.

ELK RIVER WATERSHED

The Foundation believes restoring water quality in the Elk River is imperative That’s because the Elk River serves as a popular scenic recreational venue: canoeing, rafting, angling, swimming, camping and other outdoor interests. Those familiar with the river’s history report a decline in water quality. Impaired water quality poses a risk to the river’s ecosystem, aquatic life, fishing, and river and stream recreational use.

The Elk River is formed where two creeks, Big Sugar and Little Sugar Creek, come together near Pineville, Missouri. Other tributaries include Indian Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Patterson Creek.

According to the Elk River Watershed Improvement Association (ELWIA), the Elk River Watershed was classified as impaired by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Elevated levels of nutrients, including phosphorous, are the principal impairments with 11 stream segments in Missouri being classified as impaired due to phosphorus and nitrogen. Population growth within the watershed is causing pollution pressure as well as agriculture related activities.

Sources for the high priority impairments have been identified as: permitted sites, grazing animals, fertilizer and litter application, and septic systems. Causes of impairments are lack of nutrient limits on permitted sites (such as waste water treatment plants), animal stream access, pasture erosion, over-application of fertilizer/litter and failing septic systems.

The Elk River Watershed land use is classified as: 47% forest, 42% planted pasture,7% developed, 2% natural grass land, 2% wetlands, and under 1% open water and cropland.

SPRING RIVER WATERSHED

The Spring River Watershed is located in parts of southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. The Spring River itself begins near Auora MO, flows north across Interstate 44 west of Springfield, Missouri, and then flows through Carthage. It meanders north of Webb City, and crosses into southeast Kansas in Cherokee County. The Spring River then flows east of Riverton and Baxter Springs, KS and enters northeast Oklahoma. The Spring River and Neosho Rivers converge east of Fairland, Oklahoma, to form the Grand River. Grand River then flows into Grand Lake.

Significant tributaries include Upper and Lower Shoal Creek, Turkey Creek, and Center Creek. The Spring River Watershed is part of the Tri-State Mining District which is home to many abandoned mines. Polluted waters, primarily heavy metals, flow into streams from the mines. Various stream branches that drain into the Spring River are impaired due to heavy metals.

Turkey Creek has a significant impairment from heavy metals requiring about a 50% reduction in total maximum daily loads. Turkey Creek also receives effluent from wastewater treatment plants and industry,

The Spring River in southeast Kansas is impaired due to low levels of dissolved oxygen. Experts point to elevated levels of nutrients to be a cause of reduced levels of dissolved oxygen.

A number of remedial actions have either been completed, are in progress, or planned
within the Tri-State Mining District which is partly located in the Spring River Watershed. This includes plugging abandoned wells and mine shafts, surface water diversions, and soil remediation.

Shoal Creek is a community water supply for the City of Joplin supplying part of Joplin’s water demand. Shoal Creek is also a water supply to the City of Neosho. Lake Lamar is a community water supply source to the city of Lamar, Missouri.

MAPS Click: Spring River Watershed    Elk River Watershed    Grand Lake Watershed

CITIZENS GROUPS:

Elk River Watershed Improvement Association (ERWIA) is a non-profit organization that focuses on the Elk River Watershed located in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Their address is: P.O. Box 6, Pineville, MO 64856. New members are welcomed!

Upper Shoal Creek is a non-profit organization that serves a portion of upper Shoal Creek.

STATE AGENCIES:

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) P. O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102 (800)3614827.