The Ada Hayden watershed is unique in that it has two different types of watersheds: Urban and Rural. It is true that agricultural ground contributes to the problem but urban pollution is as unhealthy and problematic to water quality.

Some of the underlying concerns that we have identified within the urban part of Ada Hayden watershed are nutrient loading, soil erosion, polluted runoff from streets and parking lots, driveways, and rooftops.

In an Urban setting the largest part of improving these problems will be a strong community buy in and an even stronger information and education program.

Over the course of the next year the Story County Soil and Water Conservation District will be contacting homeowners in the south half of Ada Hayden watershed to cooperate in workshops, passing out literature, storm drain stenciling programs, etc. This in turn will help to educate the community about Non Point Source Pollutants in the urban setting. We urge all people in the watershed to cooperate to keep Ada Hayden water quality in good standing!

Rural Concerns

As with a lot of Iowa watersheds there are rural non-point source pollution concerns that affect water quality. Some of the concerns that are identified in the Ada Hayden Watershed have been soil erosion, nutrient loading, and septic system issues. Most of these problems are related to agriculture and are treatable. With technical assistance we can help you with whole farm planning that will benefit water quality in Ada Hayden Park for years to come.

We can assist you with nutrient management plans, revised conservation/Resource Management plans, waterways, sediment control basins, grade stabilization structures, continuous CRP programs, new 2003 farm bill programs, and state cost share programs. We also have EPA 319 funds set aside for implementation of Best Management Practices within the Ada Hayden Watershed.