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This segment of Camp Creek was open to grazing until a few days before this picture was taken, note the sparsity of vegetation and how exposed the bank is to erosion.
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This picture shows a portion of the same segment of Camp Creek, note the vast improvement in vegetation cover and bank stability.
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Fencing cattle out of Camp Creek reduces hoof and leg injuries to cattle and allows for re-establishment of vegetation growth along Camp Creek's banks, stabilizing them.
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This gully exemplifies a typical erosion problem in Camp Creek; it's about six feet deep and cutting back towards the mouth of a grassed waterway.
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Filter strips are excellent practices to address erosion and help to stabilize streambanks. Sediment in runoff is deposited in the filter strip, not in the creek, as the water is slowed or infiltrated before it reaches the creek.
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Heavy use cattle crossings provide a source of drinking water for livestock and allow a route to access paddocks on either side of a stream that has been fenced for cattle exclusion.
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Grade stabilization structures (farm ponds) have been popular with stakeholders in the Camp Creek Watershed. Interest from cattle producers has been high as their livestock have a more reliable source of water during dry periods. Grade stabilization structures are effective sediment traps, preventing 90 percent of modeled sediment delivery in their catchment areas from reaching Camp Creek.
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Nose water pumps are connected to tile lines and provide an alternative water source other than Camp Creek. This allows for fencing cattle out of the creek, allowing for establishment of paddocks as part of a rotational grazing plan and for the banks of the creek to stabilize with new vegetation growth. This photo was taken during a Pasture Management Field Day held in the Camp Creek Watershed in July 2007.
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Pool and riffle structures, like this one in Thomas Mitchell Park, provide beneficial habitat for fish and other aquatic life. They break up the homogeneous habitat that results from a silted-in stream, like Camp Creek.
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Two educational signs in Thomas Mitchell Park describing erosion in Iowa and how projects in the park have beneficially impacted Camp Creek. One sign is adjacent to the main parking area, the other (seen here) is in the campground.
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Brian Peterson, the State of Iowa NRCS Pasture and Grazing Specialist, explains how the solar water pump on display works and takes questions from Pasture Management Field Day participants. |
A solar water pump was on display during the Pasture Management Field Day held along a segment of Camp Creek in July 2007.
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This picture shows a solids settling basin under construction. When completed, this project will prevent solid manure from reaching a nearby segment of Camp Creek.
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This picture shows the nearly completed solids settling basin. It will trap manure from the feedlot located on the hillside above from reaching Camp Creek.
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A Camp Creek Update Meeting was held at the Mitchellville Community Building in June 2007. Stakeholders in the watershed were informed of recent developments; Brandon Dittman, Project Coordinator, had a chance to meet with watershed residents.
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This large water and sediment control basin is a very effective sediment trap, preventing 90 percent of modeled sediment delivery in its catchment area from reaching Camp Creek.
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For More Information
Local:
Brandon Dittman
Camp Creek Watershed Project Coordinator
(515) 964-4295
Brandon.Dittman@ia.nacdnet.net
Polk County NRCS Office
Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
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