Porter County SWCD and Partners Initiate
Surface Water Monitoring Program
The Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) firmly believes in the verification of facts based on observation, not theory. Just because an opinion is expressed many times by many people does not necessarily mean it is true in all circumstances.
Three years ago, the District began researching the availability of water quality data for the surface waters of Porter County. We discovered very little relevant data exists. One principal reason these types of long-term datasets, that could provide insight in the causes of water quality decline, do not exist is because granting agencies rarely fund water quality monitoring projects. While funding is available to implement best management practices (BMP) on agricultural landscapes, little to no funding is available to effectively research and validate the various sources of water quality degradation to accurately target and implement the most effective BMPs. Ironically, granting agencies are more likely to fund water quality improvement projects when there is data to support the project’s need, but getting these data becomes the challenge.
Not to be deterred from our quest we gathered together a local group of water quality and land use experts representing both state and federal agencies. Collaboratively, we have established a water monitoring project in the East Branch Little Calumet River. Nine small watersheds have been targeted, equally nested within three landscape categories (Forested, Agricultural, and Residential) to evaluate differences in biological function, aquatic habitats, water chemistry, flow, land use, and agricultural practices.
Although in its initial stages we look forward to learning more about the surface waters of Porter County with relevant and sound data. We are proud that this project is another example of the positive effects of a cooperative working relationship.