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What's the problem with Nutting Creek?
Nutting Creek was placed on Iowa's impaired waters list in 2004 due to its inability to support aquatic life, such as fish and insects. Nutting Creek also has been shown to have high levels of bacteria, which may be caused by animal waste. Studies have documented the E. coli level in the creek after rainfall to be more than 5,000 times the EPA standard for body contact. High levels of E. coli can cause human health problems and may also decrease the level of oxygen in the water enough to kill aquatic life.
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What's being done to help the creek?
The main goal of the Nutting Creek Watershed Project is to reduce the amount of bacteria entering the stream. The project, which has been underway since January 2008, is working with landowners to install conservation practices such as:
- Terraces- Terraces built around a hillside either slow runoff and guide it to the bottom of the hill, or collect runoff and store it until the runoff can be absorbed by the ground. This runoff could carry bacteria into the creek.
- Grassed waterways- The vegetation in these natural or artificial water channels slows the speed of surface water, protecting the land around streambanks from erosion, which sends excess soil and bacteria to the creek.
- Livestock management- Limiting livestock access to the stream through fences and rotational grazing results in fewer pollutants reaching the streams and less streambank erosion.
- Buffers and filter strips- Strips of grass or other vegetation trap sediment and pollutants and slow water runoff to reduce rill and gully erosion.
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What can you do to help?
Landowners can partner with the Nutting Creek Watershed Project to use conservation practices on their land. Carrie Davis, project coordinator, can help landowners decide what projects would work best for their land and the creek. Financial assistance may be available for those looking to begin these projects. Contact Davis at (563) 422-5770 ext. 3 or carrie.davis@ia.nacdnet.net to learn more.
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What is the future of Nutting Creek?
By installing conservation practices on their land and reducing bacteria levels in the creek, landowners can help improve the quality of the water and increase the amount of aquatic life living in Nutting Creek. Working together with the Nutting Creek Watershed Project, landowners can ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the creek for years to come.
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Meet the project coordinator
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Improving Iowa watersheds is nothing new for project coordinator Carrie Davis. Davis began work with the Nutting Creek watershed in January 2008 after serving as coordinator for watershed projects in both Grannis Creek and Mink Creek.
Davis, who lives in Hawkeye with her husband and daughter, began work for the Fayette Soil and Water Conservation District after graduating from Winona State University in Minnesota in 2003 with a degree in environmental science. Having grown up on a family dairy farm herself, Davis enjoys helping farmers solve problems on their land through watershed improvement.
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"A producer may have had a problem area for years and just never knew how to deal with it," said Davis. "It is a good feeling to be able to finally alleviate a trouble area for a farmer."
Davis believes that landowners should take advantage the Nutting Creek Watershed Project, as water quality will continue to become more and more important in the future.
"This is a great opportunity to show pride not only in your farm, but in your community and northeast Iowa," said Davis. "Through the project, you can get technical advice along with cost-share opportunities to improve conservation on your farm."
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Project partners
For More Information
Local:
Carrie Davis
Nutting Creek Watershed Project Coordinator
(563) 422-5770 ext. 3
Carrie.Davis@ia.nacdnet.net
Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Watershed Improvement Program Grants Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
