Title:

G01-NPS-04 Hubble Creek Watershed Restoration Project

Sponsor:

Cape Girardeau County SWCD

Project Manager:

Stan Murray
480 W. Jackson Trails
Jackson, MO 63755
573-243-1467
Stan-Murray@mo.nacdnet.org

Project Period:

3/1/2001 - 2/28/2006

319 Grant Funds:

$237,300

Project Description:

HUBBLE CREEK WATERSHED RESTORATION PROJECT

Hubble Creek watershed contains 44,875 acres of productive land in southern Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Hubble Creek is suffering from water quality problems due to sediment. High concentrations of sediment in runoff water leave Hubble Creek and enter the Mississippi River. The sources of sediment are both agricultural and urban.
These sediment sources can be attributed to dramatic changes in the watershed's ecosystem during the last century. Changes affecting the lower reaches of Hubble Creek cause instability and headcutting. These factors allow vast amounts of sediment to remain in suspension and be delivered through the outlet and into the Mississippi. Dramatic changes in the upper reaches of the watershed greatly increase runoff to deliver higher sediment loads to the streams.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This 319 funded Hubble Creek Watershed Restoration Project is the initial phase of the larger watershed improvement plan. Section 319 funds will be used to prevent nonpoint source pollution and restore water quality through the following mechanisms:
1. Offer additional incentive to CRP applicants who restore riparian buffers and establish innovative cross-corridor buffers.
2. Demonstrate the effectiveness of wetland filter areas by constructing one such area downstream from concentrated livestock operation.
3. Construct a rip-rap and sheet piling stabilization structure in a stream channel to control headcutting and stabilize streambank erosion.
4. Provide partial funding for a project manager who will manage these efforts and eligible portions of the larger Hubble Creek Watershed Improvement Plan during the term of this project.
5. Assist decision-makers in developing and implementing city and county ordinances for construction site erosion control and stormwater detention.
6. Provide partial funding for the information and education activities that are critical to this project's success.

OBJECTIVES

1. The primary objective of this project is to restore more favorable water quality conditions within the Hubble Creek watershed. Sediment is the primary water quality problem in this watershed. The project objective is to reduce sediment load to the stream by 20%. This project will use funds from the 319 program to:

-Develop and implement an information and education strategy and plan. This plan will be comprehensive and for the life of the 319 project. It will include publicizing the project's progress, monitoring and evaluation results and implementation. The plan will educate stakeholders and the public about the problems in the watershed and what services they can utilize through the project to help address problems. This will include efforts to make the stakeholders aware of the project, it's goals and who the partners and sponsors of the project are. This information and education plan will also include a process for stakeholders to have an opportunity to contribute to and get involved in the project. Development and implementation of this plan will be the responsibility of the sponsors and their staff. This plan will be submitted to the department for review and approval.

-Restore water quality by helping Cape Girardeau County and the city of Jackson develop and implement effective Stormwater Detention and Construction Site Erosion Control Ordinances. These ordinances and their enforcement will help control excessive runoff from new development sites in Jackson and the surrounding area. Goal will be to assist the city and county in enacting effective ordinances during the life of this project.

-Restore riparian buffers along Hubble Creek and its tributaries. 319 funds will provide additional cost-share to supplement the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) program for establishing riparian buffers. Currently, CRP pays 50% of the cost to establish/restore buffer strips. Participation is very low. This project will furnish an additional 25% to increase that incentive to 75%. These buffers will control erosion and remove sediment and debris as water enters and leaves the streams. Buffers will also improve aquatic habitat. Goal is to restore 20 miles of buffer strips along streams.

-Restore water quality by establishing vegetative buffers across the flood corridors of the streams. These cross-corridor buffers will control erosion and remove sediment as flood water travel across the flood corridors. This is an innovative practice to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. A similar practice, developed with the Corps of Engineers in 1984 for Thompson Bend along the Mississippi River, has been largely successful. CRP would pay 50% to establish these strips. This project will provide another 25% for establishment. Goal is to establish 15 miles of these innovative strips across the flood corridors.

-Demonstrate improved water quality by constructing an off-stream wetland filter area downstream from a damaging pollution site. Goal is to establish one wetland filter area of 5 acres.

-Demonstrate the effectiveness of a rip-rap and sheet piling structure in the stream channel to control headcutting and streambank erosion. According to MDC stream managers, this type stabilization is necessary to stop headcutting and preserve stable streambanks before the riparian buffers can be expected to be effective. One structure needs to be constructed for demonstration and technology transfer. This type of structure has not been used in this area. Goal is to install one rip-rap and sheet piling structure.

-Pursue other funding sources to enhance or continue the efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution and restore water quality. The 319 funds will not be used to plan, design, promote or construct structures or practices where the primary purpose is for flood control.

-Monitor and evaluate the 319 project's effectiveness throughout the life of the project. This will include water quality monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness of installed practices. This information will be used as a measure of success and also as a basis for any adjustments for the purpose of improvement. QAPP will be developed and in place to be used as a guide for monitoring and sampling for the project.

2. Another objective is to partially fund the broader Hubble Creek Watershed Improvement Plan. The watershed improvement plan represents a holistic approach to dealing with problems in this watershed. Other programs, other funding sources and other authorities will be required over the next several years to carry out the entire watershed improvement plan.

PRODUCTS

1. Develop and implement Information and Education Plan.
2. Install 20 miles of Riparian Buffers.
3. Install 15 miles of Cross-corridor Vegetative Buffers.
4. Implement Stormwater Detention and Construction Site Erosion Control Ordinances for Jackson and Cape Girardeau County. Goal is to limit runoff from new development not to exceed pre-development conditions according to USDA-NRCS Technical Release - 55 standards.
5. Install demonstration Wetland Filter Area.
6. Install demonstration Rip-rap and Sheet-piling Grade Stabilization Structure.
7. Pursue other funding sources to carry out Hubble Creek Watershed Improvement Project.
8. Reduce sediment loss from gully, sheet and rill, scour and streambank erosion by 20 percent in the Hubble Creek Watershed.

PROJECT SPONSOR

Cape Girardeau County SWCD

COOPERATING AGENCY

EPA/DNR

CONTACT

Cape Girardeau County SWCD
480 W. Jackson Trails
Jackson MO 63755
Stan Murray 573-243-1467