Federal Valley Watershed Group

What we're doing in the Federal Valley Watershed

TRASH CLEAN-UPS

We really like organizing trash clean-ups! It is one of those tasks with a lot of instant gratification. The only limiting factor can be money for trash disposal. In the past we have organized trash clean-ups along state routes because ODOT will dispose of that trash for free.

In the future we would like to do cleanups along county and township roads, creeks and other illegal dumps. Do you know of a trash dump in our watershed that should be cleaned up? We like to keep track of those.

Groups we have worked with include the Flood Recovery Committee planning and supervising trash clean-up in the creek and in Amesville. Due to flooding there was a lot of trash contaminating the creek and the floodplain. We have also done some clean-ups with Federal Hocking High School's Hooked on Fishing Instead of Drugs group.

How can you help?

Do not litter

Dispose of waste safely
Participate in trash clean-ups

EDUCATION

For Kids

We received a grant from the US EPA this summer and collaborated with Rural Action's Environmental Learning Program, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts to present a Watershed Summer Camp for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders, who met at Amesville's Gifford Park and at other sites in the watershed to discover the importance of clean water. Read the summer camp syllabus online and reportage of the three days we spent in the field.

In the Community

We present workshops for landowners, trustees, and people who work in creeks to share information about the stream channel (also known as the riparian corridor).

Stream channel basics:

Living vegetation, especially trees, are essential to stream health. Without trees on the stream bank, the bank will erode. The channel will fill with sediment and will not be able to perform its natural functions. Establishing a buffer of trees on both sides of the stream reduces erosion and sedimentation. Those roots will work to hold the soil in place. The buffer should be a minimum of 3 times the width of the channel on both sides. This is a way to save valuable real estate.

Alterations to the creek (such as moving it, dredging it, building levees or dams) can be very expensive to construct and maintain. Many of these actions aren't necessary if the stream is allowed to have a natural buffer of trees. This is a way to save our tax dollars.

A tree can absorb up to 1000 gallons of water a day, holding it so that the stream doesn't have to. This is a way to slow flooding.

Trees keep water cool enough to support fish and other wildlife. If our creeks can't support wildlife it ultimately can't support us. This is a way to improve stream productivity.

Trees filter many agricultural, household and industrial pollutants. Without such a filter the stream is much more susceptible to contamination. This is a way to slow down pollution.

Because trees slow erosion they also slow down nutrient loss that occurs in agricultural fields due to erosion. If we can slow down the loss of our watershed's most valuable commodity, fertile topsoil, then perhaps there will be less need for expensive fertilizers. This is a way farmers can help save money.

ASSESSMENT

We are in the process of continuously assessing the health of our watershed. There have been many studies of various streams of the Federal done by the EPA and the USGS. Some date back to the mid-70's and some are as recent as 1995. These studies give us an idea of how our watershed has changed and help us plan for the future.

During this year we will be we'll be taking water samples in the creeks and studying the macroinvertebrates (water bugs) that populate them.

How can you help with the assessment?

Tell us about any stream pollution or erosion problems that concern you.

Ask about participating in stream monitoring programs.

You are the true manager of our streams. Your input is essential to steer our efforts.

The Federal Valley Watershed Group is coordinated by Rural Action.