Clinton Lake Watershed Management Plan

     Based upon the information gathered, the Clinton Lake Watershed Resource Planning Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, and project planning staff have identified sedimentation and contaminants as the primary sources of water quality degradation in the Clinton Lake Watershed. Sedimentation and contaminants are threatening the health and recreational value of the lake and its tributaries.

        The continuing influence of these sources is due to minimal public awareness regarding water quality issues and influences; nonpoint source runoff from agricultural and residential practices, including conventional tillage and application of nutrients; and exposed streambanks and lakeshore throughout the watershed. Incorporated into the objectives are action items that will increase awareness and build partnerships throughout the watershed.

        Table 16, in Section 7, was developed in response to the identified problems to address improvements to be undertaken within the watershed. The table lists the problems along with the Objectives, Goals, Action Items, Target Audiences, Responsible Party, Schedule, and Indicators that will be used to address each problem.

        The following are the goals that have been outlined for water quality improvement:

Reduce Sedimentation

• crease implementation of conservation practices for the reduction of sedimentation due to overland soil runoff and streambank/shoreline erosion.  For agricultural practices, increase annual participation figures by 10% for the next three years, and cumulatively by 40% for the next five years (2008 to 2012).

• Increase Best Management Practices (BMP) use in livestock operations by 15% for the next three years (2008 to 2010) in order to reduce sedimentation and erosion from livestock production sites without compromising the integrity of existing operations. 

Contaminants 

• Increase participation in conservation practices for the reduction of nutrients and other contaminants to tributaries and Clinton Lake.  Increase participation rates by 10% for the next three years and by 35% for the next 5 years (2008 – 2012). 

Fisheries 

• Increase the viability of Clinton Lake as a recreational fishing site through implementation of other goals to reduce nonpoint source pollution, adjusted management and stocking procedures.

Public Awareness 

• Cultivate future citizen interest and leadership in conservation and natural resources by educating children at an early age and maintaining presence throughout their academic career.  Schools in the watershed will be targeted for environmental education programs that will involve both on and off site programs, taking advantage of the natural resources in the watershed.

• Increase local capacity for citizen involvement in water quality related issues, build a citizen stakeholder contact list to 100 participants by 2010.

 

Water Quality  

• Reduce the amount of fecal coliform being deposited within the stream segments and Clinton Lake.  Attempt to use current and future funding to reduce the number of production animals using the stream as a watering facility. 

• Nonpoint source fecal coliform from failing septic systems is another source of deteriorating water quality.  The total number of systems within the watershed with failing systems will be reviewed and corrections taken per source.    

        These goals provide direction for specific objectives and action items identified in this plan for the improvement of water quality in the Clinton Lake Watershed. Implementation of conservation practices outlined in this plan has already begun and funds will be sought to support further objectives. Appendix B lists all issues identified at the public or planning meetings.