HARDING DRAIN WATERSHED AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN IMPACTS —EVALUATION, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

摘要

Harding Drain is a constructed agricultural drain that carries flows from both agriculturaland urban sources. The drain and downstream waterways have been listed as “impaired”for a variety of constituents. However, much has changed within the watershed since itwas included on California’s 303(d) list. Though various programs have previouslycollected water quality data they did not provide a comprehensive, clear picture of howwater quality is linked to sources, or a clear understanding of what strategies might beeffective in controlling the various constituents causing the impairment.TID applied for and was awarded a grant to address these issues. The goals of theprogram were to: (1) Provide an assessment of water quality in the Harding Drainwatershed and impacts on the San Joaquin River; (2) Educate stakeholders aboutconditions, causes of impairment, and management practices that may be available toaddress water quality concerns; and (3) Engage stakeholders in developing a WatershedManagement Plan to address water quality issues within the watershed. The project,implemented over a three year timeframe, assisted local stakeholders in understandinghow the watershed functions, the current conditions within the watershed, and how theiractivities may be influencing water quality.The project involved a watershed assessment, water quality monitoring program, dataanalysis, and identification of management strategy recommendations with involvementand input from engaged local stakeholders. Education and outreach activities wereconducted in both the agricultural and urban sectors, through workshops, newsletters, awebsite, and a variety of activities including stormdrain stenciling, education seminarsfor teachers, and farm-site consultations. The resulting watershed management planincludes a clear understanding of current conditions, identifies problems areas, as well asmeasures available to address these issues. Utilizing this plan will enable stakeholders tocontinue to work together to address the remaining water quality issues, in an effort toavoid future regulation.