|
|
|
 |
Duck River Opportunities Project (DROP)
|
TSRA’s Duck River Opportunities Project is sponsored by Saturn Corporation and works with local communities, agencies, volunteers and experts to improve water quality and provide education within the Duck River watershed.
Students at E.A. Cox Middle School carry their catch of aquatic insects.
They will sort the insects into three categories: those sensitive to pollution, those tolerant of pollution, and those that are in the middle. Photo by G. Blanton
The Duck River is home to the world’s most diverse collection of freshwater mussels and provides ample opportunities for local education and restoration projects. The increasing population in the Duck River watershed means higher pressures on the Duck’s unique biodiversity and an increasing need for clean drinking water. The Duck River Opportunities Project is actively involved in water quality monitoring, restoration and education.
Final Report for the Tennessee Environmental Endowment 1999-2004
The Duck River Opportunities Project (DROP) began in December of 1999 with the intent to identify and abate nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution in the Duck River watershed. DROP identified and abated water quality degradation through implementation of best management practices (BMPs). BMPs included short-term control measures such as the placement of hay bales, silt fences and rock check dams and long-term activities designed to promote the natural functioning of the land such as riparian reforestation and stream bank stabilization. The project included the following phases, 1) initial assessment, 2) best management practice implementation and 3) follow-up assessment.
Download the Entire Report (to come soon)
Monitoring
|
Experts and local volunteers sample water quality and assess habitat to document existing conditions and identify opportunities for water quality improvement projects. By sampling the freshwater insects and the water chemistry, we can determine the quality of the water. TSRA provides monitor training to local educators, public and private organizations, landowners and others using state of the art techniques, and provides equipment to partners who monitor twice per year or more through the generous contributions of Saturn Corporation http://www.saturn.com/
 |
· In the first two years of the project, we’ve taken out over 1000 kids and involved over 20 youth leaders (educators and scouts) in monitoring |
|
· We have sampled 15 different sites multiple times in the first year | |
Restoration
|
The Duck River Project works with landowners, volunteers and government agencies to address water quality improvement opportunities and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Duck River watershed with the goal of long-term water quality enhancement. Using volunteer water quality monitoring data, DRP can focus on specific sites for improvements such as:
|
· 14,000 linear feet of fencing has been placed to keep cattle out of creeks, while providing an alternative water source |
|
· 1,500 trees have been planted on streambanks for bank stabilization | |
Education
|
TSRA’s Duck River Project works with local educators, civic groups and other professionals to help the community and especially the children learn about the importance of good water quality, stream health and biodiversity.
Students learn about:
|
|
|
· Aquatic insects (benthic macroinvertebrates) |
|
· Water chemistry |
|
· Why trees and bushes are important to stream health |
|
· How BMPs protect stream health | |
This project is funded in part by Saturn Corporation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nonpoint Source Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Agreement #C3334674-03-0, and the Tennessee Environmental Endowment.
Partners:
Saturn, US Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maury County Soil Conservation District, TVA, Earth Force, and River Network.
The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer group whose mission is to protect the streams, waters, and watersheds of the region and to promote paddle sport recreation and safety.
VRRC is a joint group of volunteers that crosses watershed boundaries to do restoration work in both the Duck River watershed and the Harpeth River watershed. Volunteers include members of both TSRA (Duck River Opps Project) and the Harpeth River Watershed Association (HRWA)
January 15, 2005
Streambank Reforestation and Cedar Revetment
Brentwood, TN
January 29, 2005
Harvest Cherry and Cedar Trees (live & cut) for upcoming projects
Lebanon, TN
February 12, 2005
Streambank Stabilization and Reforestation
Spring Hill, TN (Jerry Erwin Park)
February 26, 2005
Streambank Stabilization (Cedar Revetment)
Franklin, TN (North Ewing Creek)
March 12, 2005
Reforestation Project Maintenance
Spring Hill, TN (Chapman’s Retreat)
March 26, 2005
Streambank Stabilization and Reforestation
Eagleville, TN
April 1, 2005
Duck River School Sampling Begins
Volunteers needed ‘til May 15th!
April 9, 2005
Streambank Stabilization and Reforestation
Columbia, TN (Akin Branch)
April 30, 2005
Streambank Stabilization and Reforestation
Eagleville, TN
May 1, 2005
HRWA RiverSmart Festival/Annual Meeting
May 15, 2005
Duck River School Sampling Ends
June 25, 2005
Duck River Watershed-Wide Cleanup
July 30, 2005
Streambank Stabilization
Spring Hill, TN (Rutherford Creek)
August 13, 2005
Streambank Stabilization
Spring Hill, TN (Jerry Erwin Park)
September 17, 2005
Harpeth River Hootenanny!
September 2005
VIP Float on the Duck River
October 18, 2005
World Water Monitoring Day
NOTES:
If you have a community or scout group that would like to do a project, we can schedule one for you in the fall.
Please contact Gwen Blanton: 615-790-9767.
P.S. All dates subject to change so please contact us if you’re planning to come!
Water Quality Monitoring requires that the data be captured on standard forms - download from the links below.
Submit your water quality data to the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN):
http://www.green.org/
|
|
|
|
|
