Listed below are summaries of projects funded with Section 205(j) grants by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management that are actively working on researching and planning ways to address nonpoint source pollution issues in watersheds across Indiana.
FFY2025
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Indiana Fish Tissue
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish tissue from Indiana waters. This study will increase spatial coverage of PFAS to better understand concentrations, distributions, and contaminant sources of emerging contaminants of concern while also supporting the Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory. IDEM will use the allocated funds to pay for the contracted analytical services.
Investigation of Water Quality and Water Quantity in the School Branch Watershed
The U.S. Geological Survey will monitor water quality and quantity in the School Branch Watershed that is a part of the Eagle Creek watershed in central Indiana near Indianapolis. The scope of the study will focus on the two sites that bracket the conservation farming. The Survey will operate one streamflow and one super gage on School Branch at CR 750 N, operate four nested groundwater wells to provide continuous data for groundwater level and temperature at varying depths, and operate a SUNA nitrate sensor providing continuous water concentration of nitrate-plus-nitrite as nitrogen. The final continuous water quality data will be approved and archived in the USGS NWIS online public database. Concentration data from the discrete water samples will be quality assured, finalized, and archived in the NWIS online public database.
Lower St. Joseph River Watershed Management Plan Rewrite and Education Program (Contract #98868)
The Fort Wayne City Utilities will develop a comprehensive watershed management plan re-write for the Lower St. Joseph River Watershed that meets IDEM’s 2024 WMP checklist. They will develop a QAPP to guide water quality monitoring and will conduct a chemical, biological, and habitat monitoring program within each HUC 12 to establish baseline water quality and assist with the development of the WMP. They will also conduct an education and outreach program geared towards residents within the project area by conducting workshops, hosting field days, distributing news articles, and other activities.
Patoka Lake Watershed Management Plan Re-write (Contract #98441)
The Patoka Lake Regional Water and Sewer District will revise and update the Source Water Protection plan for the Patoka Lake-Patoka River Watershed to meet IDEM’s 2024 WMP checklist. They will establish a water quality monitoring/assessment program to collect data and complete a more up to date watershed inventory. They will also develop an education and outreach program designed to bring about behavioral changes that result in the installation of BMPs or other behaviors that decrease the non-point source pollutant loads in the Patoka Lake Watershed.
Big Shawnee Creek-Wabash River Watershed Plan (Contract #97962)
The Fountain County Soil and Water Conservation District will develop a watershed management plan for the Big Shawnee Creek-Wabash River Watershed that meets the IDEM 2024 WMP checklist. They will establish a water quality monitoring program to collect baseline data to establish subwatershed loading rates which will be utilized in the development of the WMP. They will also develop an outreach program that includes hosting public meetings, producing monthly updates, hosting workshops, and other activities.
St. Mary’s River Watershed Management Plan (2026 Update) (Contract #98273)
The Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District will rewrite the 2009 St. Mary’s River Watershed Management Plan. They will conduct a water quality monitoring program to inform the load reductions needed for their long-term water quality improvement goals in the watershed. They will also develop and implement an education and outreach program that will develop a strategy, a cohesive curriculum, and education materials that will carry the findings of the funded effort to the public.
HRW and QAPP Tool Maintenance
EcoLogik, Inc. will maintain the existing Hoosier Riverwatch database and provide maintenance, enhancements, and support for the QAPP tool. Database maintenance includes updating server software, continuing domain registrations, reporting analytics, and downloading backup data files. They will provide technical assistance and customer service to staff at IDEM to perform system corrections. Support for the QAPP tool includes monitoring the QAPP web hosting infrastructure and setting up automated alerts for outages and general issues.
Inventory of Septic Systems and Management Issues in Indiana (Contract #98442)
The Trustees of Indiana University will assess the condition of septic systems in Indiana. The project will survey all county health departments to gather data on septic system distribution, condition, and local challenges, and will pilot a spatial inventory methodology in three counties using parcel and property records. Findings will be compiled into a comprehensive management plan with recommendations for future data collection, maintenance strategies, and policy improvements to support informed decision-making regarding septic systems at both state and local levels.
Pigeon Creek Stream Gage (Contract #98265)
The Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission through the USGS will install one streamgage located at Lynch Road over Pigeon Creek in Evansville, Indiana. The streamgage will record stream and discharge data at least every fifteen minutes. Final data will be available from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) on-line public database. The streamgage will help the Commission identify and monitor flooding concerns in the watershed. The information can be used to forecast flooding and be used by emergency managers to make informed decisions to protect public safety in times of flooding. It will also help the Commission develop a water quality base and be able to track the effectiveness of implementation efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the watershed.
FFY2024
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Fish
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Funding for this project will allow IDEM to further characterize the location and magnitude of PFAS in the Ohio River Tributaries Basin and the Great Lakes Basin. This study will increase spatial coverage of PFAS to better understand concentrations, distributions, and contaminant sources of emerging contaminants of concern while also supporting the Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory. IDEM will use the allocated funds to pay for the contracted analytical services.
New Harmony Supergage (Contract #92363)
The USGS Ohio Kentucky Indiana Water Science Center will operate and maintain a nutrient supergage (continuous monitoring gage) for 1 year on the Wabash River at New Harmony, IN (USGS streamgage 03378500). The nutrient supergage has sensors that measure real-time continuous values of nitrate, phosphate, turbidity, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and phycocyanin fluorescence. The sensors will be routinely maintained and calibrated to ensure quality-assured data. The data will be available online through the USGS National Water Information System. Cross-section measurements of water-quality parameters at different depths will be made and depth- and width-integrated water-quality samples will be collected. Suspended sediment and nutrients (nitrate, organic and particulate nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorus, orthophosphate) in water samples will be analyzed by a laboratory.
Kankakee Supergage (Contract #91586)
The USGS Ohio Kentucky Indiana Water Science Center shall operate and maintain the continuous water quality monitoring gage (number 05518000) on the Kankakee River at Shelby, IN for three (3) years. This water-quality gage will deploy sensors to report real-time continuous values of nitrate, turbidity, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance. The sensors will be routinely maintained and calibrated to develop final, quality-assured data that will be available publicly through the online USGS database. Periodically, during a range of flow conditions, stream-width and depth-integrated measurements of water-quality parameters will be made and water-quality samples will be collected. The water samples will receive laboratory analysis for suspended sediment and nutrients (nitrate, organic and particulate nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorus, orthophosphate).
Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan (Contract #90936)
The Hendricks County SWCD will develop a watershed management plan for the Mill Creek Watershed (HUC 0512020305) that meets the IDEM 2009 or newer Watershed Management Plan Checklist. They will establish a water quality monitoring program to collect baseline data and develop an outreach program designed to bring about long-term behavioral changes that lead to reduced nonpoint source pollution and facilitate future sustainability of the project.
Upper East Fork Whitewater River WMP (Contract #90622)
The Wayne County SWCD will develop a watershed management plan for the Upper East Fork Whitewater River (UEFWW). They will conduct water quality monitoring to collect baseline data for the UEFWW and develop an outreach program designed to bring about long-term behavioral changes that lead to reduced nonpoint source pollution and facilitate future sustainability of the project.
ORSANCO Continuous Monitoring (Contract #90375)
ORSANCO will continue the operation of two continuous water quality monitors on the Ohio River and will analyze the data to identify the causes of algal blooms in these locations. They will provide data for early warning as well as continued refinement of a predictive tool for Ohio River HABs events. The predictive tool has been developed in cooperation with USEPA and is available to the State of Indiana water managers. They will also provide additional data on parameters (DO and temperature) known to exceed water quality criteria.
FFY2023
Investigation of Water Quality and Water Quantity in the School Branch Watershed (Contract # 80302)
The United States Geological Survey will continue to investigate water quality and water quantity throughout the School Branch watershed by performing hydrologic cycle measurements, analyzing continuous water quality, conducting intensive sampling, conducting biological assessments, and by distribution multi-media communication. The Survey will operate one streamflow and one super gage on School Branch at CR 750 N, operate four nested groundwater wells to provide continuous data for groundwater level and temperature at varying depths, and operate a SUNA nitrate sensor providing continuous water concentration of nitrate-plus-nitrite as nitrogen. The final continuous water quality data will be approved and archived in the USGS NWIS online public database. Concentration data from the discrete water samples will be quality assured, finalized, and archived in the NWIS online public database.
Little Pigeon Creek Watershed Management Plan (Contract # 79733)
The Warrick County Soil and Water Conservation District will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Little Pigeon Creek, Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC) 0514020110 and 0514020109. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). They will conduct a monitoring program to establish data for baseline loading rates on tributaries throughout the watershed. The SWCD will conduct an education and outreach program designed to bring about behavioral changes that will lead to reduced nonpoint source pollution in the watershed, including community events, a brochure, website updates, social media posts, and newsletters.
NPS Management Plan (Contract # 81027)
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has partnered with DJ Case and Associates to produce a revision to the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan (2025-2029). This revision will include updates since the last revision and have a special focus on environmental justice and climate adaptation gaps identified in the 2022 Equity and Climate Assessment. Additionally, the Plan will be hosted on the IDEM website with interactive components to improve accessibility for the public.
Operation of two Continuous Monitors on the Ohio River and Analysis of the Causes of Algal Blooms (Contract # 78896)
The Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) will continue to operate two previously installed continuous monitors along the Indiana portion of the Ohio River. The two monitors will record temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanin. In addition, grab samples will be collected and analyzed twice per month at both locations (total 48 samples). Analysis will include nitrate-nitrite, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), chlorophyll a, algal taxonomy, and algal toxins. ORSANCO will calibrate each continuous monitor twice per month from May to October for one year (total 24 calibrations). ORSANCO also maintains a website to receive continuous monitoring data. The data will also be analyzed and reported for causes of algal blooms.
Continuous Monitoring Supergage at Iroquois River near Foresman, Indiana (Contract # 81024)
The US Geological Survey will operate and maintain the continuous water quality monitoring gage (number 05524500) on the Iroquois River near Foresman, IN for twenty-four months. The Survey will collect real-time, continuous water quality data for turbidity, nitrate concentrations, phosphate concentrations, water temperatures, pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance. Where statistically appropriate, the Survey will compute real-time concentrations and loads of suspended sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. All data will be collected, and quality assured following published USGS methods. Data will be publicly available through on-line databases.
Beanblossom Creek Watershed Management Plan (Contract # 80235)
The Monroe County SWCD will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Beanblossom Creek, Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 0512020201. The watershed plan will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). The Monroe County SWCD will conduct a monitoring program to establish data for baseline loading rates on tributaries throughout the watershed. They will also conduct an education and outreach program designed to bring about behavioral changes that will lead to reduced nonpoint source pollution in the watershed, such as webpage updates, social media posts, newsletters, workshops, and one Hoosier Riverwatch training.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Indiana Fish Tissue
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish tissue in the Upper Wabash River basin. The study is designed to characterize the location and magnitude of PFAS. This study will increase spatial coverage of PFAS to better understand concentrations, distributions, and contaminant sources of emerging contaminants of concern while also supporting the Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory. The study will consist of one season of fish tissue collection followed by laboratory analysis and data management.
FFY2022
Cedar Creek Watershed Management Plan (Contract #70742)
Fort Wayne City Utilities will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Cedar Creek Watershed, Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) 0410000306 and 0410000307. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). The utility company will develop a steering committee of local stakeholders to guide development of the watershed management plan. They will conduct a water quality monitoring program. They will also conduct an education and outreach program designed to educate citizens on problems and solutions associated with nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. The outreach program will include development and distribution of articles, fact sheets, press releases, and web material. They will host field days and workshops and distribute school curriculum.
Little Blue River Watershed Management Plan (Contract #68932)
Shelby County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Little Blue River Watershed, Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 0512020402. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). The SWCD will develop a steering committee of local stakeholders to guide development of the watershed management plan. The SWCD will also conduct an education and outreach program designed to educate citizens on problems and solutions associated with nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. The program will include the development and distributions of web material, newsletters, brochures, and social media updates. They will conduct workshops and field days and participate in community events. They will host a Hoosier Riverwatch training and implement a water monitoring program.
Mill Creek – Wabash River Watershed Management Plan (Contract #70728)
Vermillion County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Mill Creek-Wabash River Watershed, Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 0512010816. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). They will conduct a water quality monitoring program. The SWCD will also conduct an education and outreach program designed to educate citizens on problems and solutions associated with nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. The program will include the development and distribution of web materials, social media updates, newsletters, and brochures. They will host field days, attend community events, and host public meetings.
Lower Elkhart River Watershed Management Plan (Contract #68996)
The City of Goshen will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Lower Elkhart River Watershed, Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) 0405000117 and 0405000119. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). The city will develop a steering committee of local stakeholders to guide development of the watershed management plan. They will host a Hoosier Riverwatch training and implement a water monitoring program. The city will conduct an education and outreach program designed to educate citizens on problems and solutions associated with nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. The program will include the development and distribution of web materials, social media updates, newsletters, and brochures. They will host field days, attend community events, and host public meetings.
Continued Operation of Two Continuous Monitors on the Ohio River (Contract #70736)
The Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) will continue to operate two previously installed continuous monitors along the Indiana portion of the Ohio River. The two monitors will record temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanin. In addition, grab samples will be collected and analyzed twice per month at both locations (total 48 samples). Analysis will include nitrate-nitrite, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), chlorophyll a, algal taxonomy, and algal toxins. The Grantee shall calibrate each continuous monitor twice per month (total 48 calibrations). ORSANCO also maintains a website to receive continuous monitoring data. The data will also be analyzed and reported for causes of algal blooms.
Investigation of Water Quality and Water Quantity in the School Branch Watershed (Contract #68804)
The United States Geological Survey (Survey) will continue to collect and interpret scientific data about water quality and water quantity in the School Branch watershed in Hendricks County, Indiana as part of the National Water Quality Initiative. The Survey will operate one water-quality monitoring gage on School Branch at CR 750 N that will provide continuous data for nitrate, phosphate, turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance; one streamflow gage on School Branch at CR 750 N that will provide continuous data on water quantity represented by stream stage and stream discharge; and four monitoring wells near School Branch at CR 750 N that will provide continuous data on depth to groundwater and groundwater temperature. The Survey will maintain a web page to display continuous data from the School Branch gages and wells for stream stage and discharge, continuous water quality, and groundwater depth and temperature, and maintain a School Branch project web page to communicate information about the study. The Survey will participate in public and technical forums to present the results of the School Branch monitoring. The Survey will publish a Scientific-Investigations Report to describe the methods and data from this project.
FFY2021
Nutrient Supergage and HABs at New Harmony (Contract #43799)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will operate and maintain a continuous water-quality monitoring instrumentation. The instrument will provide continuous data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate. The equipment will also estimate load/yields of nitrate and orthophosphate using the measurements from the nitrate sensor and phosphate analyzer. The data will be made publicly available at the NRTWQ site. USGS will develop and publish surrogate models using continuous and discreet water quality data to estimate concentrations and loads of constituents that are not easily measured in real-time. USGS will also deploy a chlorophyll and phycocyanin sensor to collect discrete samples of cyanobacterial genes, cyanotoxins, and phytoplankton community samples. A model for estimating cyanotoxin levels in the Wabash River will be developed as part of this sampling.
Continued Operation of Two Continuous Monitors on the Ohio River (Contract #56382)
The Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) will continue to operate two previously installed continuous monitors along the Indiana portion of the Ohio River. The two monitors will record temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanin. In addition, grab samples will be collected and analyzed twice per month at both locations (total 48 samples). Analysis will include nitrate-nitrite, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), chlorophyll a, algal taxonomy, and algal toxins. The Grantee shall calibrate each continuous monitor twice per month (total 48 calibrations). ORSANCO also maintains a website to receive continuous monitoring data. The data will also be analyzed and reported for causes of algal blooms.
Twin Creek-Lick Branch Planning (Contract #56800)
Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Twin Creek-Lick Branch watershed. The SWCD will implement a water monitoring program to gather reliable data to understand and prioritize watershed problems. Baseline data will be analyzed with local land use data to help the steering committee to prioritize locations in the watershed. Washington County will perform an outreach and education program to include a socio-indicator survey, media materials, brochures and flyers, education field days, presentations by staff, a clean-up event, and an educational display for events.
FFY2020
Upper White River WMP (Contract #48449)
Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will produce a watershed management plan (WMP) for the Upper White River Watershed, Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC’s) 0512020101, 0512020102, 0512020103. The WMP will include all elements listed in the State’s Watershed Management Plan Checklist (updated 2009). The SWCD will develop a steering committee of local stakeholders to guide the development of the watershed management plan along with an advisory board. Delaware County will partner with Ball State University to engage student in the planning project and will conduct a monitoring program that utilizes existing water quality data and develop new data. They will conduct an education and outreach program designed to educate citizens on problems and solutions associated with nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. Delaware County’s outreach program will include development and distribution of newsletters, stakeholder mailings, and press releases. They will hold quarterly education events.
