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In July 2016, the Miami County Conservation District became the sponsor for the Hillsdale Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS). Hillsdale Lake is impaired for sedimentation, nitrogen and phosphorous. A local group of stakeholders formed the Hillsdale Watershed Coalition, and serve in driving the effort to clean up the lake.
What is a watershed?A watershed is an area of land containing a common set of streams and rivers that all drain to a single larger body of water such as a lake, river or ocean. Everyone lives in a watershed!
The Hillsdale Lake Watershed is the 144 square miles (92,000 acres) of Douglas, Johnson, Miami and Franklin counties that drain in to Hillsdale Lake. 56,000 people depend on the lake for drinking water; reducing the pollutant load is critical for the future of the region. What are some Features of a Watershed?Wetlands hold storm waters and release them slowly, protecting streams from erosive forces of flash floods. They form the basis of the food web for insects, fish and birds; provide groundwater recharge and water storage; and remove pesticides and excess nutrients from water.
We construct new wetlands on private and public lands. Stream-side buffers slow and infiltrate runoff, hold streambank soil in place and provide critical wildlife habitat. In many areas of the watershed, buffers are absent along significant stretches of streams. We help landowners stabilize streambanks and establish, expand and improve riparian buffers. What Are the issues in the watershed?Hard surfaces increase the quantity and rate of runoff entering stream channels, eroding streambanks and beds and increasing the pollutant load. Development at the upper reaches of Little Bull Creek and Big Bull Creek is degrading those streams.
We encourage developers, cities and counties to utilize low-impact development and green infrastructure practices to halt damage to watershed streams. Agricultural runoff contains excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and varying amounts of sediment depending on the type of operation, farming methods and conservation practices in place. We help farmers adopt better farming methods such as continuous no-till with cover crops and subsurface fertilizer application. Livestock are the main source of phosphorus entering watershed streams and the lake. Horses graze grass to the ground, leaving no cover to hold soil in place or to utilize excess nutrients. Cattle may lounge in streams on hot days, disturbing sediment and directly contributing phosphorus into water ways through urine. We help livestock owners protect streams with fencing, off-stream watering systems and rotational grazing systems. |
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Who is the Coalition?
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Members are the cities, counties, conservation districts, water suppliers landowners, farmers and others who have a stake in the health of the watershed. The leadership team consists of the following.
Kaitlin Knauss began serving at the Hillsdale WRAPS coordinator in June 2022. Kaitlin works throughout the watershed and oversee all project implementation and KDHE reporting. Kaitlin can be reached at via email at kaitlin@miamicountycd.com |
Orange shaded areas on map above highlight the priority project areas. For an interactive web map click here.
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Major Contributors Include
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How Can you get involved?
Improve your Land
Consider making a change for clean water on your land or farm by planting trees along streams and buffers around your cropland; fence horses and cattle out of streams and ponds; or any of the other clean water management practices. We may be able to assist with some or most of the cost.
Volunteer!
Contact us about volunteer opportunities such as helping with educational events, stream monitoring, a stream cleanup or a fundraiser.
Consider making a change for clean water on your land or farm by planting trees along streams and buffers around your cropland; fence horses and cattle out of streams and ponds; or any of the other clean water management practices. We may be able to assist with some or most of the cost.
Volunteer!
Contact us about volunteer opportunities such as helping with educational events, stream monitoring, a stream cleanup or a fundraiser.