Hello, Fish Creek stakeholders and partners!
The Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan is currently in the final stages of review/approval. An additional grant for 319 Implementation has been secured and will commence in early 2026. FCW Advisory Committee meetings and other activities will resume then, as well. Contact the Watershed Coordinator or Owen County SWCD if you have questions or would like to be added to the Cost-Share Interest List.
The 319 Grant focuses on assessing water quality in the Fish Creek watershed, which drains a very large area (172,729 acres total), encompassing most of Owen County, as well as portions of Greene and Monroe counties. Baseline water monitoring was conducted on 11 sites throughout the watershed and these results, along with local input, data from past studies in this region (2007 IDEM TMDL E.coli study, 2009 Watershed Management Plan for 3 sub-watersheds within the larger Fish Creek project area – see links below), and other sources were incorporated into a comprehensive Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan. Now that this WMP is approved, it can be used as a guideline for the future implementation of conservation practices in critical areas. This 319 grant brings $114,950 into the region, with a local match/in-kind commitment of $76,633.33 making the total value = $191,583.33. We hope this is only the first installment of several as the Owen County SWCD plans to apply for additional funding to assist eligible landowners with the installation of best management practices that will improve water quality.
CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the Fish Creek watershed (Tier I critical areas are orange, Tier II = yellow, and non-critical = grey).
FCW Map of Monitoring Sites (319 baseline study 2023-2024)
Hoosier Riverwatch Database (all data collected during FCW baseline sampling has been submitted: search for Lower White Watershed, choose appropriate county, Owen County SWCD is the organization it is filed under or use map above to find site locations)
CLICK HERE to view the Fish Creek 319 project webpage
CLICK HERE for more information about the 2007 IDEM TMDL study in the Fish Creek watershed (West Fork White River-Owen County Watershed)
CLICK HERE for more information on the 2009 Watershed Management Plan for Little Mill-Mill Creek, Limestone Creek, and Fall Creek watersheds
How’s My Waterway? (EPA Water Quality Data map)
CLICK HERE to read more about the 319 grant program
Please feel free to spread the word with other individuals or organizations who may be interested!
Thank you!
Laura Demarest
319 Watershed Coordinator
West Central Indiana Watershed Alliance
(812) 564-1162 cell
