ILLINOIS River WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP
SUBWATERSHED ASSESSMENT FOR THE UPPER ILLINOIS RIVER WATERSHED ILLINOIS River WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP
Mission Statement:
IRWP works to improve the integrity of the Illinois River through: • public education, community outreach, and • implementation of conservation and restoration practices throughout the watershed.
Contact Information: Location- 221 S. Main St., Cave Springs, AR 72718 Phone number- 479-203-7084 Website- www.irwp.org Facebook- www.facebook.com/IllinoisRiverWatershedPartnership Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………...... …………………………....……….…….....……..1
Glossary...……………………………………………………………………..…………...... 2
General...……………………………………………………………………..…………...... 4
Methods...……………………………………………………………………..…………...... 6
Clear Creek……..……………………………….…………………………….………....……8
Moore’s Creek………………………...... ………………...... ………...……..……..……10
Lower Muddy Fork…………………………………………..……………………...……….12
Sager Creek…………………………………….………………………………….....…….…14
Goose Creek………………………....………….…………………………………....……...16
Review………………………....………….…………...... ……………………………...18
What Can You Do? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,19
ILLINOIS River WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Introduction
The Upper Illinois River Watershed (UIRW) consists of 758 square miles within Benton (40%), Washing- ton (60%), and Crawford (<0.5%) counties in northwest Arkansas. The headwaters of the Illinois River originate near Hogeye, Arkansas just south of Fayetteville. With several major tributaries originating in the urban areas within the watershed, the river flows west into Oklahoma and eventually into Lake Tenkiller near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. As of 2006, land use and land cover of the watershed was 41% forest, 46% pasture, and 13% urban. With a 14% increase in Washington County’s population and a 17% increase in Benton County’s population between 2010 to 2017, it is expected that the proportion of urban land use has increased since 2006.
Currently, the Illinois River is field monitored for water quality parameters by several agencies, including Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and University of Arkansas’ Water Resources Center (AWRC). Unfortunately, many of the stations are located at the downstream portions of larger subwatershed confluences.
The designation as a priority subwatershed was given to HUC 12 subwatersheds by The Illinois River Watershed (IRWP) for the UIRW that were listed on ADEQ‘s 2016 303(d) list. Assessments were conduct- ed on the following priority subwatersheds from 2018-2019: Moore’s Creek (located near Lincoln), Sager Creek (located in Siloam Springs), Lower Muddy Fork (located near Prairie Grove), and Clear Creek (located near Fayetteville). Each assessment consisted of collecting and identifying macroinvertebrate communities and stream characteristics. All four subwatersheds are considered high priority for sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus in Arkansas Natural Resource Commission's (ANRC) 2011-2016 NPS (Nonpoint Source Pollution) Management Plan.
In order to obtain a better ecological understanding of the UIRW, IRWP, with assistance from EAST (Edu- cation Accelerated by Service and Technology) programs at local Primary to Junior High schools, assessed ecological conditions at small geographic intervals along defined priority subwatersheds. In order to best identify areas of interest (i.e., below average to poor macroinvertebrate diversity) and subsequent best management practice recommendations for the watershed of those areas. EAST students helped collect stream characteristics and assisted in macroinvertebrate collection, identification, and counting. Students were able to gain skills in GIS mapping and experience in conducting science research in the field through the Ecological Assessment Project.
Recommended best management practices (BMPs) was determined based 2016 NLCD (National Land Cover Database) data.
ILLINOIS River 1 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Glossary
Alternative livestock watering - diverting livestock away from a creek by providing them an alternative water source, possibly pumping creek water to another water holding feature (e.g., stock tanks or ponds), including placing fencing along the creek to keep livestock out.
Best management practices (BMPs) - practice(s) that helps reduce nonpoint source pollution.
Bioswale - A relatively large sloped garden feature that consists of a landscape depression filled with vegetation and/or gravel. A BMP that helps collect stormwater runoff, encourage water infiltration into the soil, allow sediment and other debris to settle out of stormwater, promote plant uptake of nutrients, and reduce stormwater runoff from entering a creek or stream.
Excessive fertilizer - the over application on nutrients on lawns and/or hayfields, which can be reduced by testing the soil for nutrient content and only applying optimal rates of fertilizer based on nutrient recommendation for desired plant.
Macroinvertebrate - an organism that lacks a backbone and can be seen without the aid of a microscope. Used to determine water quality based on the fact that some aquatic macroinvertebrates can tolerate water pollution and some cannot.
Macroinvertebrate Diversity Rating - Water quality rating based on macroinvertebrate diversity richness as determined by streamside macroinvertebrate identification and counting
Nitrate - a nutrient that encourages plant growth. When applied excessively on land it will be collected in runoff water and enter waterbodies where it may promote excessive aquatic plant growth (e.g., algae). Excessive plant growth can deteriorate the health of an aquatic ecosystem.
Nonpoint source pollution - A source of pollution that is not from a specific point (e.g., pipe) but instead an area of land (i.e., farmland, cities, etc.) with multiple sources of pollution.
Pathogen - disease causing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, protozoa, etc.). A common pathogen that impacts water quality is the bacteria E. Coli, which is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.
Rain garden - A constructed garden located at a low point within a defined area of land and consists of native plants. It is a BMP that helps retain stormwater, encourage water infiltration into the soil, promote plant uptake of excess nutrients, and reduce overall stormwater runoff.
Riparian - a distinct and unique area of land adjacent to a waterbody, where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of like a creek, stream, or lake interact. Promotes improved water quality by reducing the amount of pollutants from surrounding lands from entering bodies of water by slowing the speed of stormwater runoff, allowing plant uptake of water, and encourages infiltration of water into the soil.
ILLINOIS River 2 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Glossary
Retention pond - typically a constructed pond that collects stormwater runoff from a surrounding area. In neighborhoods, street drains are usually used as the conveyance mechanism to direct stormwater to the retention pond.
Runoff - rain water that does not infiltrate the soil but instead runs off the land to a creek, stream, or lake.
Sulfate - a nutrient commonly found in nature, but at high levels can induce excessive bowel movements in humans and animals, which could result in dehydration.
Riparian buffer - a strip of planted riparian area at least 25 ft wide. A BMP used as a way to filter, reduce, and slow runoff from land before it enters a waterbody (e.g., runoff from a neighborhood flow- ing to a creek).
Stormwater mitigation - features in the landscape that help reduce runoff (e.g., bioswale, rain garden, or retention pond).
Water quality - the ability of water to support a determined use (e.g., drinking water, aquatic habitat, recreation, etc.) and is determined by analyzing the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of the waterbody.
303(d) list - a list of impaired waterways in the State of Arkansas determined by the Arkansas Depart- ment of Environmental Quality.
ILLINOIS River 3 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP General
Figure 1. The Illinois River Watershed is an interstate watershed with a delineated boundary in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Area of interest (i.e., Upper Illinois River Watershed) is outlined in red.
Figure 2. Priority subwatersheds for the 2019 UIRW Ecological Assessment: Clear Creek (Fayetteville, Johnson, and Springdale), Lower Muddy Fork (Prairie Grove), Moore’s Creek (Lincoln), Sager Creek (Siloam Springs), and Goose Creek (Farmington; non-priority).
ILLINOIS River 4 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP General
Figure 1. National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2016 for priority subwatersheds [i.e., Clear Creek, Lower Muddy Fork, Moore’s Creek, Sager Creek, and Goose Creek (non-priority)] within the UIRW.
ILLINOIS River 5 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Methods
Stream Characteristic Determination: • EPA 841-B97-003-Monitoring Water Quality Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual. 4.4.1- Stream Habitat Walk
• 300 ft stream reach, subdivided into 25 ft sections
• Each 25 ft section observation was obtained by standing at the most downstream section and looking upstream.
Macroinvertebrate Diversity Rating Methods For Water Quality: • EPA 841-B97-003-Monitoring Water Quality Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual. 4.4.2- Streamside Biosurvey - Macroinvertebrates
• Sample area - Composite of three 3’x 3’ riffle locations over 300’ stream reach.
• Macroinvertebrate identification based on Izaak Walton League of America- Stream Insects & Crustaceans
• Macroinvertebrate Diversity Rating Determination: 1.) Abundance per macroinvertebrate species calculated (i.e., 1-9 rare, 10-99 common, 100+ dominant). Figure 1. Photos depicting macroinvertebrate 2.) Weighted factor given to each pollution sensitivity and stream characteristic collection of group in relation to abundance (e.g., Pollution sensitive Clear Creek 2019. group + rare = 5.0). 3. Total abundance per pollution sensitivity group is summed and multiplied by its weighted factor (e.g., 3 rare, pollution Good sensitive group invertebrates * 5 = 3 * 5 = 15). 4.) Water quality rating determined by summing all pollution Fair sensitivity groups with their abundance. (e.g., 3 rare, pollution Poor sensitive species * 5 = 15; 2 rare, pollution tolerant species * No Data 1.2 = 2.4; 15 + 2.4 = 17.4). 5.) Water quality rating scale: Figure 2. Macroinvertebrate Diversity <20 Poor; 20-40 Fair; >40 Good (e.g., 17.4 = Poor) rating scale legend.
ILLINOIS River 6 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Methods
GROUP TWO TAXA continued 10 Alderfly larva: Family Sialidae. 3/8”- 1”; looks like Stream Insects small hellgrammite but has 1 long, thin, branched tail at end of abdomen (no hooks). No gill tuft underneath the lateral filaments on abdomen. 1 & Crustaceans GROUP ONE TAXA 11 Fishfly larva: Family Corydalidae. Up to 1 1/2”; lateral filaments on abdomen. Looks like small Pollution sensitive organisms found in good quality hellgrammite but often a lighter reddish-tan color, or water. 11 12 with yellowish streaks. No gill tufts underneath. 1 Stonefly nymph: Order Plecoptera. 1/8” - 1 1/2”; 10 12 Damselfly nymph: Suborder Zygoptera. 1/2”- 1”; 6 legs with hooked tips; 2 hairlike tails. Smooth (no large eyes; 6 thin hooked legs; 3 broad oar-shaped gills) on abdomen (see arrow). May have gills on tails (gills); body positioned like a tripod. Smooth 2 thorax under the legs. (no gills) on sides of lower half of body (see arrow). 13 Clam/Mussel: Class Bivalvia. Do not count empty 2 Caddisfly larva: Order Trichoptera. Up to 1”; shells. 6 legs on thorax; 2 hooks at end of abdomen. May be in a stick, rock, or leaf case with its head 13 14 Scud: Order Amphipoda. 1/4”- 3/4”; white to gray, sticking out. May have fluffy gill tufts on lower half. 14 body higher than it is wide; swims sideways; more than 6 legs; resembles small shrimp. 3 Mayfly nymph: Order Ephemeroptera. 1/4” - 1”; 15 Other Beetle larva: Order Coleoptera. 1/4” - 1”; 3 moving, platelike, or feathery gills on light-colored; 6 legs on upper half of body; feelers; abdomen (see arrow); 6 large hooked legs; antennae; obvious mouthparts. Diverse group. antennae; 2 or 3 long, hairlike tails. Tails may be webbed together. 16 Watersnipe Fly larva: Family Athericidae (Atherix). 4 1/4” - 1”; pale to green; tapered body; many 16 caterpillar-like legs; conical head; two feathery 4 Riffle Beetle: Order Coleoptera. Adult: Tiny, ‘horns’ at back end. 6-legged beetle; crawls slowly on the bottom. Larva: Entire length of body covered with hard 15 17 Crane Fly larva: Suborder Nematocera. 1/3” - 4”; plates; 6 legs on thorax; uniform brown or black milky, green, or light brown; plump caterpillar-like color. Combine number of adults & larvae when segmented body. May have enlarged lobe or fleshy reporting total counts. fingerlike extensions at the end of the abdomen. 18 Crayfish: Order Decapoda. Up to 6”; 2 large claws, 5 Water Penny larva: Order Coleoptera. 1/4”; flat 8 walking legs, resembles small lobster. saucer-shaped body, like a penny; segmented with 6 tiny legs underneath. Immature beetle.
6 Gilled Snail: Class Gastropoda. Shell opening GROUP THREE TAXA covered by thin plate called operculum. When 17 Pollution tolerant organisms can be in any quality of side pointed up and opening facing you, the shell water. opens to right. Do not count empty shells. 18 19 Aquatic Worm/Horsehair Worm: Class Oligochaeta/ 7 Dobsonfly larva (hellgrammite): Family * Phylum Nematomorpha. Aquatic worm: 1/4”- 2”; Corydalidae. 3/4” - 4”; dark-colored; 6 legs, large * can be very tiny, thin wormlike body. Horsehair 6 pinching jaws; eight pairs lateral filaments on lower Worm: 4”-27”; slender, can be tangled. half of body with paired cottonlike gill tufts along 20 7 underside of lateral filaments; short antennae; 2 20 Black Fly larva: Family Simulidae. 1/8”- 3/8”; one bottom top * pairs of hooks at back end. 5 end of body wider. Black head, suction pad on end. 21 21 Midge Fly larva: Suborder Nematocera. Less than GROUP TWO TAXA 1/4”; distinct head; wormlike segmented body; pair Somewhat pollution tolerant organisms can be in good 19 of tiny prolegs under head and tip of abdomen. or fair quality water. 22 Leech: Order Hirudinea. 1/4” - 6”; flattened 8 Dragonfly nymph: Suborder Anisoptera. 1/2” - 2”; muscular body, ends with suction pads. large eyes, 6 hooked legs. Wide oval to round abdomen, masklike lower lip. 23 Pouch Snail and Pond Snails: Class Gastropoda. * No operculum. Breathe air. Shell usually opens on 9 Sowbug: Order Isopoda. 1/4” - 3/4”; gray oblong left. Do not count empty shells. body wider than it is high, more than 6 legs, long antennae, looks like a ‘roly poly.’ 24 Other snails: Class Gastropoda. No operculum. 8 22 Breathe air. Snail shell coils in one plane. Do not 9 count empty shells. 23 May be larger. 24 *May be larger. * 01/10 ~Solid bar indicates approx. minimum size. Combined solid and striped bar is approx. maximum size.~ Save Our Streams ~Solid bar indicates approx. minimum size. Combined solid and striped bar is approx. maximum size.~ STR 250 Figure 1. Macroinvertebrate guide from Walton League of America Stream Insects & Crustaceans.
Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River (Sizes of illustrations are not proportional.)
Shells No Shells
Single Shell Double Shell No Legs Legs spiral, spiral, coiled conical small, whitish, large, 2 to 8 inches, opening on left opening on right tan or brown dark-colored Worm-Like Microscopic With Tentacles, Brushes or “Tails” Suckers, expands reddish brown, glides along tan to brown, body with bristles, distinct head, small, hair-like, Limpet and contracts, body segmented body bottom, body long no suckers red, green or swims in “S” shape segmented not segmented tan, twists Orb Snail long breathing two fringed smooth, “sti ,” large, grey with white or grey big “head,” black, attaches to Freshwater tube “tails” small head tentacles with tentacles active hard surfaces Pouch Gilled Snail Snail Mussel Midge Larva Pill or Bristle Nematode or Fingernail Worm Threadworm Clam Flatworm or Horsehair Tubifex Planaria Worm Midge Pupa Black Fly Leech Water Snipe Worm Horse Fly Larva apostrophe- round swims with a jerk, Rat tailed Fly Larva Larva Crane Fly Maggot Crane Fly Larva shaped using antennas Larva Larva Seed and Clam Shrimp Water Flea Cyclops or or Daphnia 10+ Legs Four Pairs of Legs Three Pairs of Legs Copepod
lobster-like shrimp-like, walks on tiny, often runs on Wings swims on side bottom brightly colored top of water Beetle-Like, Wings Hard Leathery Wings Water Mite Fishing small, crawls swims moving back legs move at swims on “Crawls” through tan, lives on dark, grasping front legs, swims on back, swims right-side-up, long breathing tube, long, Scud or Spider on bottom hind legs alternating same time surface water, spotted surface lives on surface up to three inches back white back black grasping front legs stick-like Amphipod No Wings Aquatic Sowbug or Cray sh Isopod Ri e Beetle Water Boatman Predaceous Crawling Backswimmer Water Diving Beetle Whirligig Water Beetle Marsh Water Giant Water Scavenger Beetle Treader Strider Bug Beetle
Water Scorpion No Obvious “Tails” One or Two “Tails” Three “Tails” ‘Nepa’
brown, leatherlike, six legs and suction cup- large body, green, tan, lives in stone lives in stick dark head, green or small, large mouth parts, “tails” long at gills hangs from surface, long “tails,” gills on long “tails,” gills large legs, plate-like “tails,” Water six legs, usually prolegs on like hinged mouth orange or case house tan body, two “spines” on side “spines” on side and sti , long on abdomen large mouth parts abdomen on abdomen feathery gills no gills on abdomen Scorpion “C”-shaped abdomen white body brush-like tails antennas ‘Ranatra’
Developed by the University of Wisconsin– Caddis y Extension in cooperation with the Wisconsin Larva Department of Natural Resources. Based on Ri e Beetle Pyralid Water Penny a key developed by Riveredge Nature Center, Larva Caterpillar Newburg, WI. May be reproduced with this Caddis y side view Caddis y credit for educational, non-profit purposes. Larva Larva Alder y of “tails” Predaceous May y For information, contact UWEX Environmental Caddis y Larva May y Larva Resources Center, 608/262-2634. University Dragon y Dobson y May y Larva Diving Beetle Larva Damsel y Larva Larva Larva Larva May y Larva of Wisconsin-Extension is an EEO/Affirmative Stone y Larva Action employer and provides equal oppor- tunities in employment and programming, Larva including Title IX and ADA requirements. Figure 2. Dichotomous key of aquatic macroinvertebrates commonly used for water quality analysis.
ILLINOIS River 7 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Clear Creek
2016 303(d) Impairment:
5 • Pathogens 3 2 1 4 6 2018 303(d) Impairment: • Pathogens
Clear Creek Subwatershed G 45.0 o g o n
5 d �
a 40.0
35.0 F
3 6 a i
30.0 r 2 25.0 Illinois River 20.0 Subwatershed WQ Average 15.0 P
1 o o Macroinvertebrate Diversity R Macroinvertebrate 10.0 4 r
5.0
0.0 Site
Two year, seasonal average Macroinvertebrate Diversity (MD) rating for each assessed site in the Clear Creek Subwatershed as compared to the average of all assessed subwatersheds in the Illinois River Watershed. Common Characteristics Present During Habitat Surveys (75ft
Substrate Present at Streambo�om Landuse Near Stream 100 100
90 t 90 n t n e 80 e 80 s s e e r 70 r 70 P 60 P 60 e b e 50 b 50 o o t 40 t 40 y y l l e 30 e 30 k k i i L 20 L 20 % 10 % 10 0 0
Presenton Streambank Likely Presence of Algae at Stream 100 t
n 90 e
s 80 e
r 70 P 60 e b 50 25% o
t 40 y
l 30
e 20 Yes k i
L 10 No % 0 75%
ILLINOIS River 8 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Clear Creek Continued...
2016 Land Cover of the Clear Creek Subwatershed
1% 1%
Open Water
37% Urban 39% Forest Pasture Other 21%
Analyses of Sites of Interest:
• Site 1 and 4 have a poor MD ratings and are less than the Illinois River Subwatershed Aver- age.
• Site 1 has headwaters in a mix of pasture and urban landscape, is a tributary of Lake Fayetteville.
• Site 4 has headwaters in an urban landscape and was dry during one summer sampling Site 1. Mini-watershed and landuse period. The streambed is heavly gravel, so the water may have went subsurface.
Recommended BMP’s that may Improve Water Quality Upstream of Sites of In- terest:Site 1 • Stormwater mitigation • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Rotational Grazing of Cattle • Alternative livestock watering
Site 4 Site 4. Mini-watershed and landuse • Stormwater mitigation • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Excessive Fertilizer Reduction
ILLINOIS River 9 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Moore’s Creek2
4 1 2016 303(d) Impairment: • Pathogens 3 5 • Sulfate 2018 303(d) Impairment: 2 • Pathogens • Sulfate
Moore's Creek Subwatershed G
45.0 o o d y t
i 40.0 s r
e 35.0 v i F a D
30.0 1 4 i r e
t 3 g a
r 25.0 n b �
e 5 Illinois River Subwatershed WQ a
t 20.0 R
r Average e
v 15.0
2 P n o i o o 10.0 r r c 5.0 M a 0.0 Site
Two year, seasonal average Macroinvertebrate Diversity (MD) rating for each assessed site in the Moore’s Creek Subwatershed as compared to the average of all assessed subwatersheds in the Illinois River Watershed. Common Characteristics Present During Habitat Surveys (75ft
Substrate Present on Streambo�om Landuse Near Stream 100 100 90
t 90 n
e 80 s
t 80 e 70 n r e P 60 s 70 e e r b 50 P 60 o e t
40 b y 50 l o e 30 t k i y 40 l L 20 e k % i 30
10 L
0 % 20 10 0 Residen�al Roads Recrea�on Agriculture Construc�on Other
Presenton Streambank Likely Presenseof Algae at Stream 100 t
n 90 e
s 80 e r 70 P
e 60 b 50 o 27% t 40 y l 30 Yes e k
i 20 L 10 No % 0 73%
ILLINOIS River 10 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Moore’s Continued...
2016 Land Cover of the Moore’s Creek Subwatershed
1% 0.06%
14% Open Water Urban Forest 25% 60% Pasture Other
Analyses of Sites of Interest: • Site 2 had a poor MD rating and Site 5 had a fair MD rating. • Both Site 2 and 5 have a MD rating less than the Illinois River Subwatershed Average.
• Site 2 has headwaters in a mix of pasture and urban landscape but mostly urban.
• Site 5 has headwaters in a pasture landscape with significant forested areas. Site 2. Mini-watershed and landuse
Recommended BMP’s that may Improve Water Quality Upstream of Sites of In- terest: Site 2 • Stormwater mitigation • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Rotational Grazing • Alternative livestock watering
Site 5 Site 5. Mini-watershed and landuse • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Rotational Grazing of Cattle • Alternative livestock watering • Conservation of forested acres • Excessive Fertilizer Reduction
ILLINOIS River 11 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Lower Muddy Fork
2 2016 303(d) Impairment: • Pathogens
3 • Sulfate 2018 303(d) Impairment: 1 • Pathogens 5 4 • Sulfate
Lower Muddy Fork Watershed G 45 o y t o i s 40 d r e
v 35 2 i
3 F D
30 1 a e i r t 4 g a
r 25 n b � Illinois River Subwatershed WQ e a 20 t Average R r
e 15 v n i 10 P o 5 o r o c
5 r
M a 0 Site
Two year, seasonal average Macroinvertebrate Diversity (MD) rating for each assessed site in the Lower Muddy Fork subwatershed as compared to the average of all assessed subwatersheds in the Illinois River Watershed.
Common Characteristics Present During Habitat Surveys (75ft
Substrate Present at Streambo�om Landuse Near Stream 100 100 90 90
t 80 t n 80 n e s 70 e s e 70 r e r P 60 P 60 b e
50 b e o 50 t o t y
l 40 y
l 40 e e k i
30 k i L 30 L % 20 % 20 10 10 0 0 Trees Bushes/Shrubs Tall Grasses,Ect. Lawn Bolders/Rocks Residen�al Roads Recrea�on Agricultural Construc�on Other
Presenton Streambank Likely Presence at Stream 100 90
t 80 n e
s 70 e r
P 60 28%
b e 50 Yes o t y
l 40
e No k i 30 L 72% % 20 10 0 Silt Sand Gravel Cobbles Boulders Bedrock
ILLINOIS River 12 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Lower Muddy Fork Continued...
2016 Land Cover of the Lower Muddy Fork Subwatershed
1% 0.09%
6% Open Water 23% Urban Forest Pasture 70% Other
Analyses of Sites of Interest:
• Site 5 had a poor MD ratings and is less than the Illinois River Subwatershed Average.
• Site 5 has headwaters in pasture landscape with forested areas, a narrower stream width than other sites, and runs adjacent to a gravel road the entire length.
• Site 5 has dried out during one summer Site 5. Mini-watershed and landuse sampling period and has been known by people familair with the creek to dry out during the end of summers. Therefore, may not be suitable for some macroinvertebrates that have long larval life stages.
Recommended BMP’s that may Improve Water Quality Upstream of Sites of Interest:
Site 5 • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Rotational Grazing of Cattle • Conservation of forested area • Alternative livestock watering
ILLINOIS River 13 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Sager Creek (Arkansas Only)
2016 303(d) Impairment: • Nitrates 1 4 2 3 5 2018 303(d) Impairment: • None
Sager Creek Watershed G
45.0 o y o t d i 40.0 s r
e 35.0 v 3 i F D 30.0 2 a
4 i e
1 r t g
a 25.0 5 r n b � 20.0 Illinois River Subwatershed WQ e a Average t R r 15.0 P e o v o n 10.0 r i o
r 5.0 c
0.0 M a Site
Two year, seasonal average Macroinvertebrate Diversity (MD) rating for each assessed site in the Sager Creek Subwatershed as compared to the average of all assessed subwatersheds in the Illinois River Watershed. Common Characteristics Present During Habitat Surveys (75ft
Substrate Present at Streambo�om Landuse Near Stream 100 100 90 90 n t
e 80 t s 80 n e 70 r e s P 70
60 e e r b 50 P 60 o e t
40 b
y 50 l o t e 30 k y i 40 l L
20 e k % i 30
10 L
0 % 20 10 0 Residen�al Roads Recrea�on Agricultural Construc�on Other
Presenton Streambank Likely Presenseof Algae at Stream 100
n t 90 e
s 80 e
r 70 P 60
b e 50 o t 40 28% y l 30 e Yes k i 20 L 10 % NO 0 72%
ILLINOIS River 14 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Sager Creek Continued...
2016 Land Cover of the Sager Creek Subwatershed
1% 0.09%
Open Water 29% Urban Forest 51% Pasture 19% Other
Analyses of Sites of Interest:
• Site 5 had a fair MD ratings but was less than the Illinois River Subwatershed Average.
• Site 5 has minimal to no flow, upstream of a small rock dam, wetland type landscape, and headwaters in an area with dense urban and pasture landscape.
• Macroinvertebrates were collected using a “Muddy Streambed” technique of jabbing stream habitats, such as, in-stream vegetation, woody debris, etc. That differs than the typical collection within riffles. Site 5. Mini-watershed and landuse
Recommended BMP’s that may Improve Water Quality Upstream of Sites of In- terest:
Site 5 • Stormwater mitigation • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Rotational Grazing of Cattle
ILLINOIS River 15 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Goose Creek
1 2016 303(d) Impairment: 2 • None
2018 303(d) Impairment: • None
Goose Creek Watershed G
45.0 o y o t d i 40.0 s r
e 35.0 v F i a D 30.0 i r
e 1 t g
a 25.0 r n b � 20.0 Illinois River Subwatershed WQ e a Average t R r 2
15.0 P e o v o n 10.0 r i o
r 5.0 c 0.0 M a Site
Two year, seasonal average Macroinvertebrate Diversity (MD) rating for each assessed site in the Goose Creek Subwatershed as compared to the average of all assessed subwatersheds in the Illinois River Watershed. Common Characteristics Present During Habitat Surveys (75ft
Substrate Present at Streambo�om Landuse Near Stream 100 100
t 90
90 n
e 80 s t 80 e
r 70 n P e
s 70 60 e b e r
P 50 60 o t 40 y b e 50 l o e
t 30 k i y L l 40 20 e % k i 30 10 L
% 20 0 10 0 Silt Sand Gravel Cobbles Boulders Bedrock
Presenton Streambank Likely Presence of Algae at Stream 100 t
n 90 e
s 80 e
r 70 P 60
b e 50 o
t 40
y 40%
l 30
e Yes
k 20 i
L 10
% 0 No 60%
ILLINOIS River 16 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Goose Creek Continued...
2016 Land Cover of the Goose Creek Subwatershed
1% 0.06%
14% Open Water Urban Forest 25% Pasture 60% Other
Analyses of Sites of Interest:
• Site 2 had a poor MD rating and falls below the Illinois River Subwatershed average.
• Site 2 is located in a public park with a playground and parking lot near the site.
• Site 2 had several pooled sections and small, shallow riffles. A concrete bridge with several culvert pipes separated a portion of the stream reach. Site 2. Mini-watershed and landuse
Recommended BMP’s that may Improve Water Quality Upstream of Sites of In- terest:
Site 2 • Stormwater mitigation • Riparian buffers (> 25 ft) • Conservation of forested area
ILLINOIS River 17 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP Review
Recap: • 5 out 23 sites assessed had a macroinvertebrate diversity score of poor. Reasonsing could include flow regime, lack of optimal in stream features (i.e., riffles), sampling error, or po- tentially water pollution.
• 17 out of 23 sites assessed had a macroinvertebrate diversi- ty score of fair with 2 having a divesity score below the sub- watershed site average. Recommeded BMPs could benefit any stream in the fair category.
• Only 1 site assessed had a macroinvertebrate diversity score of good.
2019 IRWP Restoration Projects in Priority Subwatersheds
SUBWATERSHED CONSERVATION PRACTICES UNDERWAY MILES RESTORED ClearCreek Forested Riparian Buffer 0.38 Forest Stand Improvement, Riparian Buffer ClearCreek 0.19 Expansion
Tree/Shrub Establishment, Streambank LowerMuddy Fork Stabiliza�on, Forest Stand Improvement, 0.06 Fence, Watering Facility, Heavy Use Area
NWSG establishment, forest stand ClearCreek 1.43 improvement, tree/shrub establishment
ILLINOIS River 18 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP What Can You Do?
Here are tips from the University Arkansas Extension-Stormwater Education Program to help keep our local streams Clean!
*For more information on NWA Stormwater Edcuation go to: https://www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/water/stormwater/nwastormwater/
ILLINOIS River 19 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP The Illinois River Watershed Partnership Would like to thank the following Sponsors of the 2018 Ecological Assessment Report :
Data was collected with the assistance of local EAST/Stream Teams:
Lincoln High School Prairie Grove Middle School
Prairie Grove Farmington High School High School