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Visit www.eastdakota.org/bsrwatershed for more information on the Big Sioux River
Watershed
Information
Nitrate Testing: In the winter of 2004-2005, EDWDD conducted a pilot project to test nitrate levels in water from private wells across the area. The District puchased a Hach DR/4000 spectrophotometer, which has the capability to analyze water samples for nitrates with minimal sample pre-treatment. Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Volunteer Water Resource Monitoring: Dakota Water Watch is a volunteer citizen's monitoring program that
1) Builds Community Awareness & Stewardship
2) Encourages Citizens to Take Action
3) Tracks Water Quality Trends
4) Supports Citizen Monitoring Efforts
5) Makes Connections
In 2007, Dakota Water Watch began as a Bacteria Monitoring Pilot Project. After a successful first year, a second two-year grant was procurred and the program was expanded to include other types of monitoring. Recently a third grant has extended the program until 2013. See the Dakota Water Watch website or contact the project coordinator for more information.
Education
Water education is a priority to East Dakota Water Development District (EDWDD). The District has a library of documents available for viewing during normal business hours.
The District is also invovled with a variety outreach and education programs, for both adults and youth.
Children's Water Festivals: In 1993, the District started a one-day water education event for fourth grade students, known as the Big Sioux Water Festival. Fourth grade classes within the District are invited to attend each year. The Big Sioux Water Festival steering committee has developed a series of year-round educational programs for participating teachers and schools. The District also provides support to the Pierre, James River, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls Water Festivals.
Time For Clean Water - South Dakota Pollution Prevention Guide
Big News on the Big Sioux - Brochure - Contact EDWDD for printed copies
Big News on the Big Sioux - Video; WMV or MOV format
Big Sioux River - Public Opinion Survey
Educational Traveling Trunks
- available to fourth grade teachers during the school year who attend the Big Sioux Water Festival
- available to Out of School programs (i.e. Boys & Girls Clubs) in the District during the summer months
- to see available trunks click here
Early Childhood Discovery Packs
- available to local early childhood centers who have been trained in:
- - - Project WILD's Growing Up WILD
- - - Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences
- to see available Discovery Packs click here
Protection
Big Sioux Aquifer Groundwater Protection Project: EDWDD was the recipient of EPA 319 funds in 1990 to initiate local groundwater protection measures for shallow, unconfined public water supply wells.Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Class V Management within a Wellhead/Shallow Aquifer Protection Area: In 1990, EDWDD was awarded an EPA grant to formulate an effective program to regulate and thus reduce groundwater contamination from Class V injection wells through integration of various local, state, and federal programs. This was done primarily through shallow Class V injection well control, local wellhead/shallow ground water protection, and the public water supply vulnerability assessment program. Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Surface Water Quality Assessment Studies: The District has provided technical and financial support to a number of watershed assessment studies designed to identify the source(s) of the pollutants that are degrading water quality. Contact Deb Springman for more information.
Big Sioux River Surface Water Implementation Project: The Central Big Sioux Watershed Project is a 10-year TMDL implementation strategy that will be completed in multiple segments. The project will restore and/or maintain the water quality of the Big Sioux River and it's tributaries to meet the designated beneficial uses. The Central and North-Central Big Sioux River Watershed Assessments identified various segments of the Big Sioux River and certain tributaries between Watertown and Brandon as failing to meet designated uses due to impairments from total suspended solids and/or fecal coliform bacteria. Activities to improve and/or maintain current sediment and bacterial loadings will target sub-watershed within the project area. Water quality sampling will be used to monitor and assess project impacts on impaired waters bodies so as to meet the TMDLs. Contact the District Manager for more information.
Big Sioux River Bank Stability Project: In 2007, A team of scientists from the National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi collected geotechnical data from several locations along the Big Sioux River. The data was used to determine crucial areas and the best options to stabilize the river's banks. In 2010 and 2011, the areas most in need of stablization were the focus of treatment. Contact the District Manager for more information.
Information
Nitrate Testing: In the winter of 2004-2005, EDWDD conducted a pilot project to test nitrate levels in water from private wells across the area. The District puchased a Hach DR/4000 spectrophotometer, which has the capability to analyze water samples for nitrates with minimal sample pre-treatment. Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Volunteer Water Resource Monitoring: Dakota Water Watch is a volunteer citizen's monitoring program that
1) Builds Community Awareness & Stewardship
2) Encourages Citizens to Take Action
3) Tracks Water Quality Trends
4) Supports Citizen Monitoring Efforts
5) Makes Connections
In 2007, Dakota Water Watch began as a Bacteria Monitoring Pilot Project. After a successful first year, a second two-year grant was procurred and the program was expanded to include other types of monitoring. Recently a third grant has extended the program until 2013. See the Dakota Water Watch website or contact the project coordinator for more information.
Education
Water education is a priority to East Dakota Water Development District (EDWDD). The District has a library of documents available for viewing during normal business hours.
The District is also invovled with a variety outreach and education programs, for both adults and youth.
Children's Water Festivals: In 1993, the District started a one-day water education event for fourth grade students, known as the Big Sioux Water Festival. Fourth grade classes within the District are invited to attend each year. The Big Sioux Water Festival steering committee has developed a series of year-round educational programs for participating teachers and schools. The District also provides support to the Pierre, James River, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls Water Festivals.
Time For Clean Water - South Dakota Pollution Prevention Guide
Big News on the Big Sioux - Brochure - Contact EDWDD for printed copies
Big News on the Big Sioux - Video; WMV or MOV format
Big Sioux River - Public Opinion Survey
Educational Traveling Trunks
- available to fourth grade teachers during the school year who attend the Big Sioux Water Festival
- available to Out of School programs (i.e. Boys & Girls Clubs) in the District during the summer months
- to see available trunks click here
Early Childhood Discovery Packs
- available to local early childhood centers who have been trained in:
- - - Project WILD's Growing Up WILD
- - - Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences
- to see available Discovery Packs click here
Protection
Big Sioux Aquifer Groundwater Protection Project: EDWDD was the recipient of EPA 319 funds in 1990 to initiate local groundwater protection measures for shallow, unconfined public water supply wells.Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Class V Management within a Wellhead/Shallow Aquifer Protection Area: In 1990, EDWDD was awarded an EPA grant to formulate an effective program to regulate and thus reduce groundwater contamination from Class V injection wells through integration of various local, state, and federal programs. This was done primarily through shallow Class V injection well control, local wellhead/shallow ground water protection, and the public water supply vulnerability assessment program. Contact Jay Gilbertson for more information.
Surface Water Quality Assessment Studies: The District has provided technical and financial support to a number of watershed assessment studies designed to identify the source(s) of the pollutants that are degrading water quality. Contact Deb Springman for more information.
Big Sioux River Surface Water Implementation Project: The Central Big Sioux Watershed Project is a 10-year TMDL implementation strategy that will be completed in multiple segments. The project will restore and/or maintain the water quality of the Big Sioux River and it's tributaries to meet the designated beneficial uses. The Central and North-Central Big Sioux River Watershed Assessments identified various segments of the Big Sioux River and certain tributaries between Watertown and Brandon as failing to meet designated uses due to impairments from total suspended solids and/or fecal coliform bacteria. Activities to improve and/or maintain current sediment and bacterial loadings will target sub-watershed within the project area. Water quality sampling will be used to monitor and assess project impacts on impaired waters bodies so as to meet the TMDLs. Contact the District Manager for more information.
Big Sioux River Bank Stability Project: In 2007, A team of scientists from the National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi collected geotechnical data from several locations along the Big Sioux River. The data was used to determine crucial areas and the best options to stabilize the river's banks. In 2010 and 2011, the areas most in need of stablization were the focus of treatment. Contact the District Manager for more information.
District Activities