There are parts of five major watersheds in Allen County. The Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) aspires to have watershed management plans developed and under implementation in all of these watersheds by working with various partners.
The District collaborates with local organizations to provide outreach programs spreading the conservation message to both urban and agricultural participants. Funding is provided through state and federal grants, as well as financial support through local partners.
The SWCD holds educational events to engage producers in our conservation programs. Strip/no-till, cover crops, equipment modifications and other Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been the focus of these educational efforts. Recently, the "On-Farm Network" concept was brought to Indiana, spearheaded by the Allen SWCD. Originating in Iowa, this network provides an opportunity to organize and work with growers to study the environmental and economical aspects of nutrient management in farm production.
The Allen SWCD addresses concerns such as degraded surface water quality in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. The District also addresses degraded soil quality including the loss of soil structure, loss of organic matter, soil balance, permeability and infiltration.
The Allen County Partnership for Water Quality (ACPWQ), funded by the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven, the Allen County Surveyor's Office and the Allen SWCD, reaches all sectors of our community with our conservation message. Matt Jones, Water Resource Education Specialist, conducts on-site presentations and utilizes outreach tools on water quality and conservation measures at local festivals and fairs. Matt, a trained facilitator for Project WET, has developed the character "Dr. I.C. Coldwater" to further promote the importance of water quality and conservation measures to our youth. The ACPWQ also developed a 30-minute documentary entitled "A Watershed Mentality" which received the Governor�s Award for Environmental Excellence.
The St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative (SJRWI) under the direction of Project Coordinator, Sharon Hall, successfully developed four watershed nanagement plans (WMPs). One plan encompasses the entire St. Joseph River, while the remaining three address major sub-watersheds within the St. Joseph. The SJRWI also received a Section 319 grant allowing them to develop a WMP in the Middle St. Joseph.
The St. Marys River Watershed Project has been successful in securing funds through Section 319 and Clean Water Indiana grants to implement BMP in the watershed. Audrey Wendling, St. Marys Project Coordinator, helps promote practices such as conservation tillage, equipment modifications, manure, pesticide and nutrient management, cover crops, livestock fencing, wetland restoration and filter strips.
The District also partners with the Defiance SWCD of Ohio to form a watershed group in the Upper Maumee River (HUC 8) watershed. Efforts include identification of soil and water related concerns, evaluating local interests in formalizing a Watershed Steering Committee, and efforts to develop a WMP that meets both Indiana and Ohio standards. Through this partnership, an Indiana / Ohio "River Clean-up" event and a "Day at the Bay" boat tour was held addressing water quality and sedimentation concerns affecting the Maumee River.