Project Background

 The Big Walnut Watershed Management Plan is a grant funded project being sponsored by the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District for the next two years (2007–2009).  Its development, findings, and recommendations are being led by a steering committee made up of diverse local individuals and a small team of water quality/land use planning consultants. 

 The primary goal of the project is to assist local conservation programs and local government leaders with the development of a plan for improving water quality in the Big Walnut.  The grant will help us sort out which sub-watersheds (smaller landscape areas) are contributing disproportionate pollutant loads to the stream so we can work to get best management practices implemented on the landscape.  Best management practices may include filter strips, wetland restoration, conservation tillage, better construction practices, innovative stormwater management solutions, etc.  An important secondary goal is to raise public awareness about water quality and water quantity issues, and the part we can play in the protection of life’s most important natural resource - clean water