JEFFERSON CITY, MO, July 24, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $300,884 grant to the Boone County Commission for phase 2 of the Hinkson Creek Watershed Restoration Project.
This project will continue the efforts of the previous Hinkson Creek Project, which addressed development-related erosion, the effect of impervious surface on water quality, degradation of stream banks and the role watershed residents can play in maintaining healthy watersheds.
During the second phase of the Hinkson Creek Watershed Restoration, efforts will focus on reducing peak storm flow by providing incentives for a variety of low-impact development techniques on new and existing developments. A project steering committee will provide technical assistance, and a stakeholder committee will help prioritize and direct implementation efforts developed in the watershed management plan.
A feasibility study will also be conducted to provide cost-estimates for best management practices in the target area. It is anticipated that at least four storm water retrofits and best management practices will be completed in this project. Best management practice efficiency data will be collected to determine load reductions. Additionally, volunteer water quality monitoring and cleanup events will help keep residents involved in watershed protection.
The department has awarded a second grant in the amount of $380,000 to the University of Missouri, Columbia, for the hydrologic monitoring of Hinkson Creek. This project will help improve the understanding of the hydrologic cycle of this urbanized watershed and validate sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads. In addition to an existing U.S. Geological Survey gauging site, four other gauging stations will be installed and equipped with continuous sediment loggers and climate stations. The first two years of this three-year project will begin to close the water budget and increase understanding of the urban hydrograph in terms of peak flow and flushing events.
Other ongoing Department of Natural Resources grant projects in the watershed include the Jefferson Farms Demonstration Project and the Columbia Rain Garden minigrant.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Department of Natural Resources, has provided funding for these projects under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
Also see:
-- "Department Awards $384,382 Grant For Little Creek Watershed"
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