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HOW COVER CROPS IMPROVE WATER QUALITY
In 2012, Indiana farmers adopted cover crops that helped stop 5,695 tons of soil from reaching waterways each year. 9 years later, Prairie Creek scored 50 and was removedPrairie Creek in Indiana was once impaired for aquatic communities. A watershed management plan implemented in 2012 led to significant impr...
In 1996, Illinois added Lake Decatur to its pollution list after farm runoff harmed its water. 28 years later, nitrogen levels fell below the 7.8 mg/L limitLake Decatur's water quality improved after implementing agricultural best management practices. Efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment ru...
In 2012, Jefferson County SWCD teamed up with local groups to restore Indian-Kentuck Creek. 12 years later, conservation work cut nitrogen pollution by 81,259 pounds a yearAgricultural best management practices improved water quality in the Brushy Fork subwatershed. Nutrient and phosphorus inputs were reduced,...
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...
In 2006, Delaware listed Broadkill River waters as impaired for nutrients. 18 years later, BMPs helped restore 7.6 miles of Ingrams Branch, bringing phosphorus levels below the state thresholdIngrams Branch in Delaware has reached an important water-quality milestone. The 7.6-mile stream segment was once impaired by excess phosph...
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 ...
In 2016, Colorado listed 67 miles of Timpas Creek as impaired for sulfate. 7 years later, local farmers helped delist 24 miles after BMPs restored drinking water qualityTimpas Creek's sulfate levels significantly decreased due to improved irrigation practices. Voluntary efforts by local producers focused on...
In 1996, Illinois listed Lake Decatur for phosphorus and nitrogen pollution. 25 years later, 3 grants helped Decatur expand BMPs and improve water quality in the lakeLake Decatur has struggled with agricultural runoff pollution for several years, prompting the launch of a water quality initiative aimed a...
In 1995, North Dakota's Richland County SCD began monitoring Antelope Creek for bacteria. 10 years later, a watershed project tackled septic, livestock and farm sources to cut bacteriaAntelope Creek and Wild Rice River saw reduced bacteria levels after conservation efforts. Best management practices addressed animal feedi...
In the late 1990s, Arkansas agencies urged landowners to use BMPs to keep cattle from streams. Today, 2 agencies and local owners protect these sensitive waters togetherFulton County faced water quality issues, prompting conservation efforts in the late 1990s. Landowners embraced livestock exclusion and con...
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...
In 2006, Arkansas DEQ listed Clear Creek for E. coli. 12 years later, the creek attained the recreation standard in 2018, restoring contact recreation after BMP projectsClear Creek in Arkansas has seen remarkable recovery since battling E. coli contamination back in 2006. Persistent water quality checks and...
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...
In 1998, PA DEP listed 67 miles of Warrior Run for siltation and flow problems. 26 years later, 8.5 miles were delisted after farmers and agencies improved water qualityWarrior Run water quality has improved after years of work across Pennsylvania’s agricultural watershed. In 1998, the state listed 67 miles...
In 2006, Delaware listed the Broadkill watershed for nitrogen and phosphorus impairment. 18 years later, BMPs restored 7.6 miles of Ingrams Branch, ending the phosphorusThe restoration of Ingrams Branch is a powerful example of how best management practices can produce measurable improvements in water quali...
Belgian farmer hasn’t irrigated his crops in 26 years: How Diederik Steyaert’s soil holds water even during dry weatherBelgian farmer Diederik Steyaert says he has not irrigated his crops in 26 years. His unusual soil-management methods, including avoiding p...
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...
In 1998, New York listed Keuka Lake as impaired after DDT contamination. 16 years later, fish-tissue data led officials to remove the lake from the impaired waters listKeuka Lake DDT cleanup shows how a pesticide banned decades ago kept affecting fish through contaminated soil and runoff. The problem began...
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 ...
In 2000, Australian scientists tricked grapevines into conserving water by drying half their roots. 26 years later, PRD remains a technique that can maintain yields while cutting irrigation by 50%Australian scientists developed Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD), an irrigation approach designed to reduce water use while maintaining commer...