Restoration Improves Mississippi's Aquatic Community

Creek in Coastal Mississippi Was Once Listed as an Impaired Waterway, but with the Help of Environmental Agencies & Conservation-minded Farmers, the Creek Was Restored

Orphan Creek inHancock County, Mississippiwas listed in 1998 as a Clean Water Act impaired waterway. The creek and its tributaries, including Dead Tiger Creek, form a watershed of about 25,000 acres and push their waters to the Jourdan River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.

TheMississippi Department of Environmental Qualitymonitors water quality on Orphan Creek. Using data retrieved from 2001 and 2003 in the Mississippi Index of Stream Quality, or MISQ, Orphan Creek scored 53.2 and 51.5, respectively and failed to support its designated aquatic life use.

Scores have to be higher than 61 on the MISQ scale to be considered adequate to support aquatic life. While the creek was already listed under the Clean Water Act, this poor rating led to the creek's selection as a priority watershed for restoration.

The poor water quality was attributed to agricultural nutrients and soil erosion.

MDEQ partnered with the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission and USDA'sNatural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) to make conservation improvements to area farms to keep cattle out of waterways and erosion control.

The conservation work included managing nutrients, planting grass in bare pastures and installing more than 2,800 feet of cattle fencing.

Johnny Williams was one of the farmers who worked with NRCS in the watershed. Williams seeded good forage on his pastures and installed cross-fencing and a solar powered well on his ranch in northwestern Hancock County. The cross-fencing separates pastures into smaller ones, which reduces risk of grass being overgrazed and soil erosion.

The solar-powered well uses renewable energy to produce water. Since the well takes the place of a pond, less nitrogen and cattle waste are distributed into the watershed. Plus, because his land is located in the buffer zone of theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration'sStennis Space Center, solar energy was a must.

The fencing, stronger plantings and well help Williams reduce runoff of nutrients into waterways.

Nutrients impair water quality, and in high quantities, can cause algal blooms and decrease oxygen in water.

Source: USDA

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• Water Quality
• Environment
• Restoration