In 1994, Idaho listed Rapid Creek for sediment after grazing added excess sediment. 20 years later, 3 reaches were delisted after BMPs improved habitat and water qualityRapid Creek in southeastern Idaho was listed for sediment impairment in 1994 after assessments found that several streams did not support c...
03 Sep, 2026, 12.40 AM 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
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...
02 Sep, 2026, 06.02 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 2012, Cleveland Metroparks surveyed Beecher’s Brook after Ohio listed the Chagrin River as impaired, then restored 350 feet. 8 years later, fish scores improved againBeecher's Brook restoration project removed a fish passage barrier and enhanced habitat. This work led to marked improvements in fish and m...
01 Sep, 2026, 08.33 PM IST
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...
01 Sep, 2026, 01.06 AM IST
In 1996, West Virginia's BRWA and WVWRI developed a plan to treat Swamp Run’s acid mine drainage. 28 years later, 2 projects had dramatically improved the stream’s pH with lasting gainsSwamp Run in Upshur County, West Virginia, faced decades of water quality problems caused by acid mine drainage from buried coal refuse lef...
01 Sep, 2026, 12.20 AM IST
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...
31 Aug, 2026, 11.24 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 2001, USDA researchers released salvinia weevils in Texas and Louisiana; by 2003, weed cover had fallen near release sites while untreated controls stayed chokedA tiny weevil has proven to be a powerful ally in the battle against giant salvinia, an invasive aquatic weed. Tested in Texas and Louisian...
30 Aug, 2026, 04.40 PM IST
In 1998, HHPC launched a pollution-control plan for New York's Hempstead Harbor. 13 years later, its northern segment reopened to shellfishing after being closed for more than 40 yearsThe restoration of northern Hempstead Harbor in Nassau County, New York, demonstrates how long-term cooperation and pollution-control measu...
29 Aug, 2026, 11.29 PM IST
In 1994, Idaho listed Rapid Creek for sediment impairment. 18 years later, restoration improved habitat scores and Lower Rapid Creek was removed from the 2012 impaired waters listRapid Creek in southeastern Idaho offers a compelling example of how long-term watershed restoration can transform water quality and aquati...
29 Aug, 2026, 08.28 PM 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 1972, a 3,300-acre preservation effort began protecting the Elk River Chain of Lakes in Michigan. More than 50 years later, monitoring shows water quality remains healthyMore than half a century ago, a conservation effort in northern Michigan set out to protect an extraordinary network of waterways, and its ...
29 Aug, 2026, 04.11 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
Louisiana used 13 million pounds of discarded oyster shells to build 8,000 feet of living shoreline; studies found oyster reefs can reduce wave heights under some conditionsIn Louisiana, discarded oyster shells are being creatively transformed into living shorelines to combat coastal erosion and rising sea leve...
25 Aug, 2026, 03.00 PM IST