Kettle Watershed Improvement Project
Kettle River – the Jewel of the North Country
FCD has received funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology to conduct a water quality improvement project in the Kettle River watershed. The Kettle River and some of its tributaries are included on the state’s list of polluted waters [303(d) list] because they do not meet water quality standards for temperature, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria. Excessive quantities of sediment, which limit the available habitat for fish, have also been noted in some stream reaches.
Under this project, FCD will design and conduct a water quality assessment program on selected streams across the watershed. This will include sampling for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. District staff will survey riparian conditions and note current land use practices that could affect water quality. FCD has completed the Quality Assurance Project Plan, which describes the methods that will be used in the monitoring process. These standard operating procedures meet the quality standards required by the Department of Ecology and ensure that our study is fair, unbiased, and accurate.
We will contact landowners within the watershed and offer technical and cost-share assistance for water quality improvement projects on their lands. We will make a special effort to involve landowners with property along the 303(d) listed streams. As with all of our programs, landowner involvement is voluntary. FCD promotes conservation through education and incentives. We do not have any regulatory or enforcement powers.
There will be other opportunities for volunteer participation. District staff will be looking for volunteers to help us with our water quality monitoring and watershed surveys. We will be looking for people throughout the watershed who would keep rainfall records for us throughout the project. We will provide the rain gage. When we are done, you will get to keep the gage as a small thank you gift for your help.
We will be forming a project management team, which will be another opportunity for people to participate. The team will consist of representatives from the government agencies, industries, recreationists, and private citizens. Everyone who has a stake in a healthy Kettle River can be part of the team. We always welcome public involvement.
DOE has provided funding; FCD will provide the technical knowledge; we hope that YOU will provide your participation and help us make this project something that will benefit the people who live in the Kettle River watershed.
Most of the time, the Kettle River is quiet and peaceful... |
...But in the spring, its mood changes! |