Osage County SWCD;
LOOSE CREEK WATERSHED
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This 58,000-acre watershed includes the communities of Linn, Loose Creek, Luystown, and Frankenstein. The watershed is comprised of approximately 53% forest, 42% grassland, 4% cropland, and 1% urban. Livestock production is the major agricultural enterprise in the watershed, with 31 swine and 18 turkey operators. Soil tests indicate that elevated nutrient levels exist in and adjacent to confined livestock operations, particularly turkey farms. This project aims to encourage operators to spread manure as fertilizer on available acres within the watershed according to a waste management plan in order to prevent nutrient buildup in any one area. Other nonpoint pollution concerns include accumulation of heavy metals in soils, nutrient buildup in soils, and economics of nutrient management. The overall goal of the project is to reduce the amount of nonpoint source contaminants (nitrogen and phosphorus) through utilization of non-structural Best Management Practices (BMPs). Objectives of the project are to:

1) develop a public and landowner awareness of nonpoint source pollution,
2) implement animal nutrient management plans and associated non-structural BMPs,
3) increase awareness and use of new application technology dealing with animal nutrient application,
4) offer cost-share practices and incentives to producers to accelerate adoption of nutrient management plans and associated BMPs, and
5) maintain a water quality-monitoring program to establish baseline information and track improvement to water quality.

This project complements an existing EPA 319 Nonpoint Source demonstration and education project addressing animal waste management issues. Partners in the project include local business and organizations, University of Missouri, and various state and federal agencies.

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Missouri Department
of Natural Resources

Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN)
Send comments to: mowin1@missouri.edu
205 Agricultural Engineering
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-0085
Toll Free: (MO only): 1-877-H20-shed (426-7433)
Fax: (573) 884-5650

Page last updated August 26, 2008