Bigalk Creek Water Quality Project

George Cummins , ISU Ext. Crops Specialist

Brian Lang ISU Ext. Crops Specialist and

Don Arendt, Howard Co.CEED

THE PROBLEM:

The 11,600 acre Bigalk Creek Watershed in Albion Township of Howard County is characterized by shallow soil cover (< 50') over fractured limestone, sinkholes and disappearing streams. Crop and livestock production are major economic enterprises in the watershed. Results of a county well test survey indicate that drinking wells in this area are more likely to be contaminated by nitrates and/ or bacteria than in other parts of the county. Potential sources of groundwater contamination identified include: pesticides, fertilizers and manure.

Bigalk Creek is a coldwater stream which is stocked by the DNR. It's suitability for trout was threatened by streambank erosion and sediments from nearby crop land; animal grazing practices; along with pesticide and nutrient management practices in the watershed.

Land in the watershed is privately owned and includes 26 tracts which are owner operated and 8 tracts which are tenant operated. To be successful the project will require the cooperation and support of the majority of these individuals.

THE RESPONSE:

A partnership of 7 agencies including ISU Extension was formed. A 3-year project proposal to focus on the lower third of the Bigalk Creek Watershed was drafted and accepted. $328,264 in WQIP, 319 and Water Protection Funds were allocated to this project in 1995 - 1997. The primary objectives of the project were: to demonstrate and promote the adoption of integrated crop management systems; to reduce sediment levels in Bigalk Creek from all sources; and to improve pesticide and nutrient ( manure and commercial fertilizer) management. During the 3-year project, ISU Extension staff served on the project advisory committee and the ICM review committee; helped recruit cooperators in the project area; provided educational programs for the cooperators on ICM strategies, nutrient and pest management and soil conservation practices; helped train the crop consultants providing services to the program cooperators; and trained the project coordinator on the Crop Management Database Program which was available to all project cooperators; and presented an economic evaluation of the various farming systems used by project cooperators. Each year of the project, the annual Howard County Crop Tour which is organized by ISU Extension, included topics and stops which are of special interest to producers in the project area. The Howard County Extension Office has received $2000 / year for the last two years for educational programming provided to project participants.

IMPACT:

Only 4 of the potential cooperators didn't participate. 2 of those 4 are Amish farmers. 85% of the watershed acreage was enrolled in the ICM program provided by the project. $100,000 was originally budgeted for terrace construction. No terraces were built because of owner reluctance. However, no-till acreage increased 30% in the watershed area over the 3 years of the project. 323 acres of grass/legumes were added as rotational crop acres. 193 acres of contours and contour strips were laid out. 77 acres of riparian buffers were established using the CRP program. 800 feet of streambank stabilization, 4 water and sediment control structures, 3 grade stabilization structures and 1 manure settling basin were constructed with program incentives. One easement was written to exclude livestock from a streambank.

Frank Moore, the project coordinator and a local farmer says, "Integrated Crop Management is all about putting the right product in the right place at the right time in the right amount. The use of ICM means our cooperators aren't using a blanket program of fertilizer and pesticides. They're putting on these products only when needed and in the proper amounts at the proper times. This has resulted in substantial savings for producers."

Sediments into Bigalk Creek were significantly reduced. Alan Schatz, a project cooperator says, " In the past the stream was cloudy nearly every day. This year (1997), even with a really wet spring, I can remember only one day this spring when it was cloudy. Moore documents this observation, " Erosion was reduced by an estimated 12,285 tons of soil in the Bigalk Creek Watershed during the 3-year project. If current sediment control structures remain in place, it is estimated that erosion will be reduced by more than 5000 tons a year in the future."

Bill Kalishek, DNR Fisheries Biologist , reported in a 1999 survey that Bigalk Creek has been transformed from a livestock pasture / water source to a high-quality trout habitat. The survey found more trout, an improved food supply for trout, and conditions suitable for natural reproduction to occur. Kalishek says, " We are now seeing the combined work of improving the stream corridor and reducing sediment is paying big dividends."

Linda and Manley Bigalk, project cooperators, were recently named the Iowa Conservation Farmers of the Year - 2000 based on their participation in this project.

The Bigalk Creek Watershed Project is scheduled to receive national EPA recognition later this summer. The work of the original project was expanded into a 4 - year, $400,000 Bigalk to Bohemia project which began in 1998. ISU Extension involvement continues as the expanded project is implemented.