Currently we are contracting and working with landowners and operators in the watershed. We are encouraging more residue with less fall tillage, installing soil saving structural practices, and looking at the farm as a whole system instead of just the critcal areas.

We have implemented 243 acres of nutrient management and are planning approximately 300 acres more. We do have cost share incentives for producers that are interested in doing nutrient management planning within the watershed. The nutrient management plans are based on Iowa State University nutrient recommendations per soils test results for each specific tract of land.

Structural Practices

The Ada Hayden Watershed Project also has cost share availability for landowners and operators to put in Best Management Practices like waterways, sediment control basins, and grade stabilization structures. We will also be marketing CRP practices like filter strips, riparian buffer strips, and contour buffer strips within the watershed. All of these practices are directed at improving or preserving water quality or soil loss at critical points in the watershed.

If there are some potential concerns on your farm, do not hesitate to contact us for an on farm assessment.

Urban Information & Education

One of the most overlooked Non-Point Source Pollution contributors are urban areas. Problems associated with urban areas are nutrient management, storm sewer management, and the education level of how to prevent pollution.

Some of the most critical problems can be solved by a common sense approach. Things like monitoring fertilizer and herbicide put on your lawn or preventing pollutants from being washed into storm sewers can make a huge difference in the protection of water quality in your watershed.

The Ada Hayden Watershed project will be addressing these issues over the course of the next year. If you have questions or concerns please contact us at the USDA Service Center in Nevada or call us at 515-382-2217.