Marshall County SWCD Headwaters Yellow River Watershed Planning Project Spring 2015 Quick Facts  The Headwater Yellow River watershed encompasses multiple jurisdictions including four counties and five towns.  There are nearly 70 stream miles in the watershed that the state of Indiana considers impaired. Meetings & Events All are encouraged to attend the first steering committee meeting at the Plymouth Public Library on March 30th at 10:00 am. Unsure if you live in the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed? See an enlarged map on page 2. For more information on the Headwaters Yellow River Project feel free to contact: Matthew Linn Cardno: Senior Staff Scientist 708 Roosevelt Road Walkerton, IN 46574 Phone: (574) 586-3400 [email protected] Marshall County SWCD 2903 Gary Drive Plymouth, IN 46563 Phone: (574) 936-2024 ext. 3 This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (A305-59) to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. First Step Towards Improved Water Quality in the Yellow River In the fall of 2014 the Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) received state and federal funds to produce a watershed management plan for the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake and River Enhancement Program has provided funds to collect and analyze water quality data at multiple locations throughout the watershed. Water sampling locations will be tested on a monthly basis for total suspended solids, turbidity, nitrate + nitrite, total kjehldahl nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus and E. coli. In addition to chemical testing, each sampling location will be assessed using biological and habitat assessments. United States Environmental Protection Agency funds have been provided to the project through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program. IDEM funds will be used to produce the watershed management plan, conduct education/outreach events, and install a demonstration best management practice in the watershed. The project will identify critical areas within the Headwaters Yellow River Watershed that are contributing to water quality impairments, and work with local landowners to install a demonstration best management practice in one of these critical areas to improve local water quality. The project began January 1st of 2015 and will continue for the next three years. What is Nonpoint Source Pollution? Unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, nonpoint source pollution comes from diffuse sources. Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and humanmade pollutants. These pollu- tants are deposited into lakes, come from agricultural fertirivers, wetlands, coastal wa- lizers, failing septic systems, lawn fertilizers, and animal ters, and ground waters. waste. Sediment enters In the Headwaters Yellow streams as the result of eroRiver Watershed, the primary sion of streambanks and upnonpoint source pollutants of land soils. Sources of coliconcern are nutrients, sediform bacteria include runoff ment, and coliform bacteria. of animal waste and failing Nutrients (primarily phosseptic systems. phorus and nitrogen) can