Gallatin County CES

Title:

Private Stream Quality

MAP:

The Environment and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Hull

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Integrated Pest Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Situation:

Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of streams and rivers. Many citizens have streams flowing through their property, some in their backyards. Many streams are subject to “urban stream syndrome” which can lead to increased flooding and scoured streambanks. Homeowners are often challenged by how to “manage” a backyard stream. Streambank erosion, invasive plants, and lack of wildlife habitat are often problems for backyard stream owners. It is important for all Kentucky citizens to understand basic watershed concepts and basic stream science, and be able to apply this knowledge when making management decisions that may impact water quality. Educational programs will provide opportunities for backyard stream owners and managers to become better stewards of Kentucky’s water resources by stabilizing streambanks, planting native vegetation, improving wildlife habitat, and potentially improving property values.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Place value on water resources

Protect and improve water quality

Protect soil resources

Maintain or improve wildlife habitat (e.g. pollinators, fish, aquatic insects)

Maintain or improve property value

Intermediate Outcomes:

Evaluate changes in backyard streams

Implement best management practice(s) to protect stream banks and stream buffer zone

Plant native vegetation in stream buffer zones

Maintain native vegetation in stream buffer zones

Initial Outcomes:

Identify and evaluate problem areas in watersheds

Describe basic watershed concepts

Understand basic stream hydrology

Interpret basic stream ecology

Relate how streams respond to human impacts

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: 10 stream surveys will be conducted

Indicator: Participants will identify problem areas on their properties

Method: Hands-on property surveys

Timeline: 3 - 6 months

Intermediate Outcome: 5 streams will be improved using Stream Protection BMPs. 

Indicator: Participants will implement BMPs to protect stream banks and buffer zones

Method: On-site demonstration and evaluation of practices used

Timeline: 6 - 9 months

Long-term Outcome: Water quality will be improved and erosion will be reduced in Gallatin streams.

Indicator: Decreased stream bank erosion and run-off on participants property

Method: On-site evaluation of corrective practices

Timeline: 12 - 18 months

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Landowners, Gardeners, Landscape/turf maintenance professionals, neighborhood associations, Schools, Parks and park employees

Project or Activity: "Clean Streams: The Importance of Small Streams to the Local Ecosystem"

Content or Curriculum: Series of newspaper articles, newsletters, and social media posts outlining the importance of keeping streams clean. Will also utilize Kentucky Water Awareness Month materials.

Inputs: UK College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists), State and federal agencies (ex: NRCS, KY Div of Water), Publications (to be developed), Research information

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: Landowners, Gardeners, Landscape/turf maintenance professionals, neighborhood associations, Schools, Parks and park employees

Project or Activity: Public and private stream walks

Content or Curriculum: Twilight survey of impacted streams

Inputs: Private land cooperators, NRCS and other agency support

Date: April 2024

Audience: Landowners, Gardeners, Landscape/turf maintenance professionals, neighborhood associations, Schools, Parks and park employees

Project or Activity: "Protecting Our Streams: A guide to Best Management Practices"

Content or Curriculum: Classroom program designed to show why streams go bad and what can be done to remedy the problems.

Inputs: NRCS Publications and support, topographical mapping

Date: Aug - Fall 2023

Success Stories