Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Monitors Soil Stabilization Techniques
The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance has developed a new database to determine the most effective methods for preventing contaminated soil and manure storm water runoff from draining into Wisconsin waterways. The new database tracks different runoff protections in place near the Plum and Kankapot Creeks, which are tributaries of the Fox River near Kaukauna and Wrightstown, Wisc.
According to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), the alliance chose Plum and Kankapot creeks because they collectively contribute the highest levels of phosphorus and sediment into the Fox River. Additionally, those watersheds recently received a $4 million grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to fund implementation of soil stabilization techniques such as cover crops, tillage practices, grass waterways and stream bank restoration.
“We’re hoping with a very strategic plan and heavy implementation focused in those two watersheds that we’re going to see that water quality improve and then know the practices we need to get out on the landscape for the rest of the watershed,” Jessica Schultz, executive director of the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance told WPR.
The Alliance hopes that by monitoring effectiveness of soil stabilization and runoff control tactics, they can help the public see the merit of implementing these techniques. Particularly for farmers who implement the practices, they are looking to measure soil health improvements.