DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE RESEARCH & EXTENSION University of Arkansas System AG1290 This publication was completed as part of an EPA 319(h) project. For the entire project, 56 percent was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service provided 44 percent. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission administered the federal funds. United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments Cooperating The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, and is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer. Arkansas Watershed Steward Handbook A Water Resource Training Curriculum John Pennington County Extension Agent – Agriculture and Water Quality Mike Daniels Professor – Water Quality and Nutrient Management Tom Riley Director – University of Arkansas Public Policy Center Karl Vandevender Professor – Extension Engineer Katherine Teague County Extension Agent – Agriculture and Water Quality Kristin Higgins Program Associate – Public Policy Center Dharmendra Saraswat Associate Professor – Extension Engineer in Geospatial Technology Szymanski “Rick” Fields II Program Associate – Biological and Agricultural Engineering Acknowledgements Funding Sources The development of this handbook was made possible by section 319 (h) of the Clean Water Act. The grant funds were provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and administered through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Review and Development This publication was partly adapted from the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and Arizona and Oregon Master Watershed Steward Programs and developed in a collaborative process between stake­ holders from state agencies, non–governmental organizations and university faculty from within Arkansas. The team approach and collaborative participation in the creation of this handbook greatly enhanced the final product. Special Thanks To The authors would like to thank James Petersen and Adam Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey; Raven Lawson, Jim Wise, and Nathan Wentz of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality; Darcia Routh and Stan Starling of the Arkansas Department of Health; Angela Gardner and Tony Ramick of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission; Delia Haak of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership; Debbie Moreland of the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts; Doug Akin and Arnold Hameister of the Arkansas Forestry Commission; Leslie Massey and Brian Haggard of the Arkansas Water Resources Center; Randy Easley of Central Arkansas Water; Jennifer Michaels of Lake Fayetteville Watershed Partnership; Jason Throneberry of Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; Brad Hufhines of Beaver Water District; Jason Kindall of Beaver Watershed Alliance; Angela Danovi of Ozarks Water Watch; David Evans of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Stream Team. Because of the counsel, guidance and involvement of all involved in the development of this educational material, its existence is possible. �4 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: PROGRAM INTRODUCTION About This Handbook............................................................................................................. ............................ 7 About the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program ................................................................................................. 7 Who Are Arkansas Watershed Stewards? .............................................................................................................. 8 The Importance of Watershed Stewardship.......................................................................................................... 8 All the Water in the World................................................................................................................................... 9 Water Uses in the United States ........................................................................................................................... 10 Arkansas Water Facts ........................................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF WATERSHED SYSTEMS What Is a Watershed? .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Watersheds of Arkansas........................................................................................................................................ 15 How Do Arkansans Use Watersheds? ................................................................................................................... 16 Principles of Watershed Hydrology ...................................................................................................................... 17 Natural Watershed Functions .............................................................................................................................. 18 Natural Watershed Features ................................................................................................................................. 20 CHAPTER 3: OVERVIEW OF WATERSHED IMPAIRMENTS Water Quality and Quantity ................................................................................................................................ 28 Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution ............................................................................................................ 33 Consequences of Impaired Water Quality ............................................................................................................ 38 How Land Use Affects Water Quantity and Quality ............................................................................................ 41 Water Law and Policy in the United States .......................................................................................................... 43 Water Law and Policy in Arkansas ....................................................................................................................... 44 Water Quality Testing, Monitoring and Regulation ............................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 4: MANAGING TO IMPROVE WATERSHED FUNCTION Using the Watershed Approach to Maintain and Enhance Water Quality ............................................................ 58 Water Quality Improvement Projects................................................................................................................... 59 Best Management Practices.................................................................................................................................. 62 CHAPTER 5: COMMUNITY DRIVEN WATERSHED PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT Importance of Local Watershed Involvement ....................................................................................................... 84 Forming and Sustaining Community Watershed Organizations and Partnerships ............................................... 85 CHAPTER 6: FEATURED DIGITAL TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ............. 104 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS................................................................................................... 113 APPENDICES Appendix A: Water Quality and Quantity Agencies and Organizations ............................................................... 129 Appendix B: Community Activities for Your Watershed ...................................................................................... 142 Appendix C: Water Quality on the Web .............................................................................................................. 147 �5 Chapter 1: Program Introduction About This Handbook he Arkansas Watershed Steward Handbook: A Water Resource Training Curriculum was written for residents of the state wanting to learn more about watershed stewardship and for participants in the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program (AWS). This handbook presents the T background, principles and tools needed to become a “Watershed Steward” or to enhance existing stewardship skills and knowledge. It is designed to be an educational resource and training guide for potential Watershed Stewards throughout the state to use and share in the preservation, protection and improvement of water resources in Arkansas. The information in this handbook is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products and/or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsements by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is implied. About the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program he Arkansas Watershed Steward Program is an educational training offered by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and other partnering agencies and organizations. The purpose of this program is to promote healthy watersheds, increase understanding of the potential causes of waterT resource degradation and give people the knowledge and tools they need to identify, prevent and/or resolve water quality problems. The broad goals of the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program are to: � Make citizens more aware of and knowledgeable about water issues. � Help individuals become community leaders in dealing with