One mature tree in a riparian area can filter as much as 200 pounds of nitrates runoff per year.
RESEARCH
BMP for Prescribed Fire Research Project
The Upper Saline River Watershed Water Quality Assessment
Water Quality Monitoring on Bayou Bartholomew 2006 -2007
Water Quality Monitoring on L'Anguille River 2006 - 2007
Water Quality Monitoring on Upper Saline River 2006 - 2007
Water Quality Monitoring- Lake Conway Point Remove Watershed 2006 - 2007
The Lake Conway- Point Remove Monitoring Project
The Lake Conway watershed drains the majority of the City of Conway. Stone Dam Creek is the major drainage for this watershed and originates about 5 miles upstream before emptying into Lake Conway. The watershed is a fairly small one consisting of about 9 square miles. Three stream segments of this creek are currently listed on EPA’s federal 303d Impaired Water Body List for violating aquatic life uses and domestic drinking water supply standards. Specifically, Ammonia and Nitrate are the main pollutants out of compliance in Stone Dam Creek. These problems were identified in early 1980 and have been monitored sparsely until now.
While located some 40 miles away, Whig Creek lies in the designated watershed and is located in Pope County, on the south side of the City of Russellville, Arkansas. The small watershed of Whig Creek lies in the Arkansas River Valley Ecoregion, and is approximately 14 mi2 and the creek flows 10.2 miles before confluencing with the Arkansas River below Dardanelle Reservoir. Whig Creek is listed as “impaired” for excessive levels of Copper and Nitrate and will be monitored for these elements as well as a number of others in an effort to understand the dynamics of this watershed.
ECO is establishing permanent water quality monitoring stations at both Stone Dam and Whig Creek. These stations will establish streamflow to help calculate loadings and water quality will be consistently monitored for at least one year. ECO will collect data using three methodologies including; grab sampling, automatic sampling devices, and multi-parameter sensory devices. It is projected that approximately more then 500 data points will be collected during the one year duration of this project, the most stringent monitoring effort in watershed to date. ECO will also conduct a sub-study to determine the relationships and accuracy between the grab samples, automated samples and passive samples.
In addition to sampling, ECO will conduct a public outreach campaign to increase public awareness on water quality in the watersheds. ECO has identified important stakeholders in the watershed and is holding public meetings in the watersheds. Additionally, ECO will launch an education campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the issues within the Lake Conway-Point Remove Watershed.
The goal of this project is to establish a better understanding of what is going on in the watershed. This information is being collected so that a strategic plan can be formulated to improve water quality in these watersheds. Our ultimate goal is to improve water quality from sound science. This project has been funded from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and EPA.
RESTORATION
Swaggerty Creek Restoration Project
In 2005, ECO undertook one of the largest urban stream restoration efforts in the state of Arkansas. The Swaggerty Creek Project required that ECO remove half a mile of concrete trapezoidal stream and re-established a more natural meandering stream that could not only handle storm water, but maintain aquatic life. Two years later, the stream boasts some 19 species of fish, all through natural reintroduction. The project has received national attention and was recently awarded a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to conduct habitat improvements and environmental education.
ADVOCACY
EDUCATION
Thrasher Boys and Girls Club
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