In 2011, Illinois' Algonquin secured $1 million for a Woods Creek watershed plan. 10 years later, 27 projects costing $4.8 million had reduced pollution and improved the watershed for residentsThe Woods Creek watershed in Illinois became the focus of a long-term restoration effort after the Village of Algonquin received more than ...
02 Sep, 2026, 11.25 PM IST
In 2002, Illinois listed Sugar Creek as polluted by 2 water-quality problems. 20 years later, 1 was cleared after cleanup efforts helped restore healthy oxygen levelsSugar Creek's dissolved oxygen impairment was cleared after twenty years of restoration work. Projects across the watershed focused on redu...
02 Sep, 2026, 07.32 PM IST
Maryland spent $12 million on a fish lift in 1991 to move American shad past Conowingo Dam; decades later, annual runs remained far below the 2 million-fish targetMaryland invested $12 million in a fish lift to help migrating shad overcome the Conowingo Dam. This technological solution proved ineffect...
02 Sep, 2026, 03.10 PM IST
In 2012, Arizona listed Miller Creek as impaired by E. coli from human waste. 8 years later, Prescott groups built a public restroom, cutting E. coli levels by 13%Miller Creek in Prescott, Arizona, was placed on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list in 2012 because of E. coli contamination associate...
02 Sep, 2026, 12.05 AM IST
In 1998, officials listed Arkansas' L’Anguille River as impaired for siltation and turbidity. Six miles of Lateral 1A were restored; today, landowners have restored two more milesL’Anguille River restoration is gaining ground in eastern Arkansas, years after the river was listed as impaired. In 1998, officials cited ...
01 Sep, 2026, 06.43 PM IST
In 2008, Virginia listed Grease Creek as impaired for swimming. 16 years later, DEQ cleared it from the impaired list after watershed BMPs restored water quality in 2024Grease Creek in Virginia has finally escaped a problem that followed it for 16 years. The creek was listed as impaired for swimming in 2008...
31 Aug, 2026, 10.29 PM IST
In 2006, Virginia flagged the Rapidan River for failing swimming standards. 18 years later, DEQ removed it from the impaired list after BMPs restored water qualityRapidan River water quality in Virginia has finally turned a corner after nearly two decades of concern. A section once flagged for failing...
31 Aug, 2026, 09.00 PM IST
In 2010, Minnesota's Hay Lake was targeted for a 46-lb annual phosphorus reduction after nutrient pollution caused impairment. 12 years later, farm practices helped secure delistingIn 2022, Hay Lake triumphantly exited the impaired waters list, a commendable feat driven by rigorous nutrient reduction initiatives launch...
31 Aug, 2026, 08.55 PM IST
In 2006, Illinois listed 10.69 miles of Cahokia Creek as impaired. 14 years later, Heartlands Conservancy's BMPs improved the stream, leading to delisting in 2020Cahokia Creek in Illinois was impaired due to severe streambank erosion and lack of vegetation. Heartlands Conservancy used grant funding t...
31 Aug, 2026, 01.31 AM IST
In 2012, Maryland's Greensboro launched 2 projects to curb stormwater flooding. 9 years later, its firehouse gained permeable pavers and step pools, helping reduce pollutants reaching the riverGreensboro, Maryland, has successfully implemented modern stormwater control practices, improving water quality. These projects, funded by ...
31 Aug, 2026, 12.09 AM IST
In 2008, Minnesota listed Fish Lake as impaired for nutrients after severe algae blooms. 16 years later, the lake improved enough to be delisted after treatments and restorationThe 2008 impairment designation was an important step because it formally recognized that the lake was not meeting the desired water-qualit...
29 Aug, 2026, 04.21 AM IST
In 1996, New York flagged Upper Tonawanda Creek as a water-supply concern. 16 years later, NYSDEC removed it from the impaired list after farm BMPs improved water qualityNew York's Tonawanda Creek was once impaired by agricultural pollution. Farmers implemented best management practices to reduce soil erosio...
29 Aug, 2026, 12.19 AM IST
In 2002, Idaho listed the South Fork Palouse River as bacteria-impaired after livestock grazing. 14 years later, restoration helped remove it from the 2016 impaired listThe South Fork Palouse River restoration began with a problem Idaho could not ignore. In 2002, the river was listed as bacteria-impaired, w...
28 Aug, 2026, 11.29 PM IST
In 2004, Iowa listed Kent Park Lake as impaired after nutrient and sediment runoff harmed clarity. 20 years later, monitoring showed it met algae and turbidity standardsKent Park Lake in Johnson County, Iowa, experienced water-quality problems linked to nutrient and sediment delivery, resulting in its place...
28 Aug, 2026, 10.46 PM IST
In 2004, community partners began tackling Kent Park Lake's nutrient and sediment pollution. 20 years later, the lake met water quality standards and was removed from Iowa's impaired-waters list in 2024Kent Park Lake restoration took 20 years to deliver a result Iowa officials could finally recognize. The lake once struggled with nutrient ...
28 Aug, 2026, 08.08 PM IST
In 2024, researchers tested crushed waste concrete as a base for Chesapeake oyster reefs; oyster spat grew and survived with no detectable hydrocarbon leachingIn the Chesapeake Bay, recycled concrete rubble is proving to be a nursery for young oysters. Scientists have discovered that this crushed ...
28 Aug, 2026, 03.20 PM IST
In 2016, researchers restored 452 meters of Maryland's Muddy Creek with woodchips, sand and gravel. 2 years later, monitoring found suspended sediment fell 73.8%, improving stream functionMuddy Creek is a tributary of the Rhode River and flows through the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, an important site for ecolog...
28 Aug, 2026, 03.07 AM IST