WATERSHED PLANNING INITIATIVE
Managing For The Future In The Ohio River Basin
A New Water Management Model
Who We Are
Rural Action is a sustainable economic development non-profit
organization that performs and supports a variety of community based
sustainability efforts including watershed restoration and preservation.
Since 1994, we have been a leader in stream restoration throughout
Ohio’s coal region. Currently, we coordinate restoration projects in
six watersheds spanning seven counties in eastern and southeastern
Ohio. Through our Ohio Stream Restore Corps program, we actively
work alongside partner organizations in two additional watersheds and
five additional counties in southeast Ohio.
Our Goal
Rural Action is coordinating a strategic planning initiative that will result in
the development of a new watershed management model for the Ohio River
Watershed. Our goal is to create a plan that will outline necessary
resources to better manage water throughout the region into the future.
The plan will include:
• an assessment of existing models
• community water resource needs
• staffing needs
• funding needs and potential sources
• financial feasibility of the new model
Current Rural Action Watershed Projects
•
•
•
•
Sunday Creek Watershed
• Huff Run Watershed
Federal Creek Watershed
• Mud Run Watershed
Middle Tuscarawas River Watershed
Monday Creek Watershed (pictured above)
Ohio Stream Restore Corps Partnerships
•
•
Raccoon Creek Watershed Coordinated by Raccoon Creek Partnership
Jonathan Creek Watershed Coordinated by Perry County SWCD
Our Process
Engage and obtain
Review existing
Formalize results
Evaluate existing sources
feedback from
regional watershed
and present to key
of funding as well as
Develop a core
Host and participate
stakeholders.
group models.
stakeholders.
potential new sources
planning team
in community meetings
including earned income
to oversee
to identify water quality
opportunities. Identify a
the planning
needs beyond
dedicated
funding source.
process.
existing studies.
The Future of Watershed Management in Ohio
In Ohio, watershed management generally takes place in small geographic
areas. The current approach poses a challenge for sustainable regional
water management over the longterm.
Not all communities have an up-to-date watershed management plan.
Additionally, overreliance on individual funding sources and reduced
local, state, and federal technical support, along with a decrease in financial
resources for watershed and sponsor organizations mean that a new model is
needed in Ohio to protect and restore water resources into the future.
What Does Watershed Management Planning Address?
A watershed management planning process addresses protection of high quality water and can also include restoration of impacted water
resources. A plan covers topics such as water pollution, recreational use, flood control, and waste water management. Moving to a regional
watershed management model will give communities the ability to tap into an already developed system offering more flexibility and support to
manage water resources.
Basin Scale Watershed Planning and Watershed Presence
Ohio River Basin Target Watersheds Map
Upper Tuscarawas River
Little Beaver Creek
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<
Sugar Creek
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<
Huff Run
Mud Run
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<
Yellow Creek
Lower Muskingum River
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<
Duck Creek
<
<
<
Raccoon Creek
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<
Monday Creek
Captina Creek
<
Sunday Creek
Federal Creek
Leading Creek
Muskingum River Basin
Raccoon, Symmes, Leading, Shade Basin
Eastern Ohio Basin
Hocking, Little Hocking Basin
What is the Ohio River Watershed?
Data sources: USGS, ESRI, ODNR
NAD 83 State Plane South
A watershed is an area of land in which all the water drains to the same low point. Everyone lives in a watershed. Ohio has two major watersheds
that are made up of smaller watersheds. These are the Lake Erie Watershed and the Ohio River Watershed. The shaded area on the map shows
the Ohio River Watershed. All the water that falls in this area will eventually drain into the Ohio River. Our initiative focuses on areas within the
Ohio River Basin.
Stay Connected
How You Can Help
Complete Our Survey
We have created a survey to
better understand local needs
and issues that span the
Ohio River Watershed Basin.
Take the survey at
www.ruralaction.org/watersurvey
Connect Locally
Get involved with your local
watershed group or contact the
soil & water office in your county
to learn about best management
practices and efforts already
underway in your community.
Contact Your Rep.
Contact your local and state
representatives to let them know
you care about clean water in
your community. Encourage them
to support projects that will keep
water clean for the longterm.
Contact Us
Rural Action
Nate Schlater
Watershed Restoration
Monday Creek Office
740.394.2047
[email protected]
Rural Action
Michelle Shively
Watershed Restoration
Sunday Creek Office
740.767.2225
[email protected]
Rural Action
Marissa Lautzenheiser
Watershed Restoration
Huff Run/Mud Run Office
330.859.1050
[email protected]
Raccoon Creek Partnership
Amy Mackey
Ohio University
Voinovich School
740.597.1473
[email protected]
Additional Resources
Watershed Information
U.S. EPA Watershed Information: http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/
United States Geological Service Science in Your Watershed: http://water.usgs.gov/wsc/watersheds.html
Ohio Watershed Data: http://watersheddata.com
Ohio Organizations & Agencies
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Drinking and Groundwaters: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil and Water: http://soilandwater.ohiodnr.gov/
Soil and Water Conservation Districts: http://soilandwater.ohiodnr.gov/swcds/find-a-local-swcd
Raccoon Creek Partnership: http://www.raccooncreek.org/
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District: http://www.mwcd.org/
Sign up for our watershed planning initiative mailing list at www.ruralaction.org