Upper Tippecanoe River Lakes Strategic Watershed Management Plan
Empower Results led all local steering committee meetings associated with the development of a strategic plan aimed at reducing non-point source pollution to the seven hydrologically connected lakes in the Upper Tippecanoe River chain. Committee members were guided through a series of meetings and activities focused on consensus building, resource consolidation, and the prioritization. These meetings were used to develop an action plan for future environmental and social projects in the watershed. As land-use and water quality issues were identified, subsequent strategies were developed through facilitated discussions with other stakeholders. Customized public outreach events and alternative meeting styles assisted in the translation of technical data and topics to the public throughout the project.
PROJECT TASKS
- Educational workshops
- Goals setting and meeting facilitation
- Stakeholder conflict resolution
- Long-range organizational planning
- Development of a GIS and public-friendly graphics
- Synthesis and communication of water quality findings
- Lake management recommendations
Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance
The Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance has existed for over twelve years working to protect and improve water quality in Eagle Creek, its tributaries, and the downstream, Eagle Creek drinking water Reservoir. The watershed hosts diverse land uses, spanning intense agriculture operations, suburban fringe communities, and densely urban parts of the City of Indianapolis and the Town of Zionsville. During the development and implementation of the Watershed Management Plan, our team worked to bring people from all of these areas under the Alliance’s influence through committee participation, project implementation on individual properties, and broad public education and awareness events. We oversaw cost-share projects that included design, permitting, and monitoring work, as well as conducted numerous workshops, field days, and watershed tours. Projects and educational efforts span both urban and agricultural residents, in addition to other target audiences. We were also responsible for all news media communications, land owner agreements, project success measures, and all aspects of federal grant reporting.
PROJECT TASKS
- Authored EPA/IDEM compliant Watershed Management Plan and Plan updates
- Conducted water quality and habitat assessments
- Created web-based map resources and pre-packaged educational resources
- Analyzed critical resources via GIS and field investigations
- Implemented landowner cost-share program and technical assistance
- Communicated with media and produced routine project communications such as newsletters and social media
- Engaged and coordinated multiple topical committees and the Steering Committee
- Coordinated with schools and parks departments on projects and educational initiatives
Lake of the Woods and McClish Lake Watershed Diagnostic Study
We led the assessment and planning efforts necessary to set water quality improvement goals and complete a comprehensive Watershed Diagnostic Study for the Lake of the Woods and McClish Lake Watershed. The Lake of the Woods and McClish Lake Watershed is located in northeastern Indiana in the counties of LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb. It is a small watershed comprised of only 3,370 acres. The watershed is a part of the larger Little Turkey Lake – Turkey Creek Watershed. The effort included engaging stakeholders from the local lakes and larger agricultural watershed. The final report provided Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations and outlined the next steps necessary for conservation implementation. The Plan met the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Lake and River Enhancement diagnostic study standards and therefore positioned the Lake Associate for future funding.
PROJECT TASKS
- Completed full watershed assessment and authored diagnostic study
- Led strategic planning discussion, facilitated meetings, and built consensus among residents regarding lake management strategies
- Conducted environmental assessments and develop project GIS
- Synthesized and communicated water quality findings to the public
- Identified specific lake management recommendations
- Developed public education and outreach strategies
Little River Watershed Diagnostic Study
The Little River Watershed encompasses approximately 141,000 acres in north-east Indiana. The watershed crosses four counties, includes very diverse land uses, and is home to important urban centers like the newly annexed Aboite area of Fort Wayne and the City of Huntington. The river’s headwaters are heavily influenced by urban stormwater from Fort Wayne, industrial discharges from gravel operations, and sediment and nutrient inputs from the eastern tributaries. Our team led the assessment of wetland restoration opportunities and riparian buffer characterizations that aided in the identification of key water quality recommendations and solutions. We also compiled an Institutional Resources Assessment of all area stormwater programs, conservation initiatives, and watershed partnerships to help guide SWCD personnel toward effective future cooperative efforts. Particular attention was paid to the complex and staggered efforts of various MS4 programs, as well as educational venues and strategic planning approaches associated with local watershed partnerships, including the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality and the St. Joe River Watershed Initiative.
PROJECT TASKS
- Developed project GIS to identify critical areas
- Conducted stream buffer analysis and water quality sampling
- Created wetland, soils, and floodplain planning maps to identify restoration opportunities
- Completed Institutional Resources Assessment for use in outreach planning
- Coordinated public education and outreach materials
Family Step Outside Program
Sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Education Center at Fort Harrison State Park, the FSO program sought to give local Indianapolis families an opportunity to experience new outdoor activities such as fishing, archery, horseback riding, and bird watching. The program was aimed at reaching families who would not otherwise have opportunities or resources to learn about the outdoors. Our staff was fully responsible for the coordination of all program elements and delivery. The main event included a day-long program with 11 concurrent instructional skills sessions and over 150 participants, while subsequent follow-up events targeted smaller groups of families participating in day-trips and hands-on implementation of new outdoor skills.
PROJECT TASKS
- Designed all program elements and coordinated event scheduling
- Recruited mentor and guest families
- Coordinated 20+ instructors, session materials, and equipment
- Developed and implemented all program marketing
- Facilitated event fundraising and donations
- Coordinated all event logistics, promotions, and media exposure
Big Walnut Creek Watershed Management Plan
The Big Walnut and Deer Creek watersheds encompass 270,000 acres in west-central Indiana. The primarily agricultural watershed is home to unique aquatic resources, regional agricultural initiatives, DePauw University, and several reservoirs. Our team lead the assessment and planning efforts necessary to set water quality improvement goals and complete a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan that meets Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) 319 standards. The effort included stakeholder engagement from a variety of industries, state institutions, federal agencies, the Nature Conservancy, and the local Plan Commission. The final product identified several Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations and has gone on to become the framework for conservation implementation in the area. The project continues to receive both state and local funding and has made such significant improvements in water quality that it is routinely pointed to as one of the region’s best examples of a watershed project success story.
PROJECT TASKS
- Authored EPA/IDEM compliant Watershed Management Plans
- Conducted water quality and habitat assessments
- Analyzed and mapped critical resources via GIS and field investigations
- Implemented landowner cost-share program and technical assistance
- Fostered and produced regular media communications and community event
- Develop creative public education and outreach programming for youth and adults
- Coordinated the Steering Committee and several topical subcommittees
Sue Crafton
Putnam County SWCD
Jeff Frey
Big Walnut