Oregon’s farmers and ranchers are stewards of land and water and play a key role in protecting the state’s natural resources for current and future generations. Every area across the state of Oregon is included in an Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan overseen by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. These plans, created by Local Advisory Committees, aim to prevent water pollution from agricultural activities through a combination of educational programs, monitoring, and management activities.
Polk SWCD, in partnership with OSU Extension, is continuing a project focused on the water quality of Salt Creek and its tributaries. Efforts from the outset of the project concentrated on gathering and addressing the concerns of invested community members in the Salt Creek basin. Data collected has provided a baseline of watershed characteristics and outreach events have been held to communicate data results and gather and share ideas about the issues and potential solutions to water quality and flooding.
We will continue to collect data monthly on water temperatures, turbidity, nitrates, phosphorus, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, and pH. We will continue to share analysis of the collected data with the agricultural producers in the watershed.
Polk SWCD, in partnership with OSU Extension, is continuing a project focused on the water quality of Salt Creek and its tributaries. Efforts from the outset of the project concentrated on gathering and addressing the concerns of invested community members in the Salt Creek basin. Data collected has provided a baseline of watershed characteristics and outreach events have been held to communicate data results and gather and share ideas about the issues and potential solutions to water quality and flooding.
We will continue to collect data monthly on water temperatures, turbidity, nitrates, phosphorus, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, and pH. We will continue to share analysis of the collected data with the agricultural producers in the watershed.
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Depending on how they are managed, agricultural lands can protect or impair water quality. Below are examples of agricultural practices that area landowners and farmers apply to help ensure high water quality.
> Promote healthy streamside vegetation to provide bank stability, capture harmful runoff, and provide water-cooling shade.
> Orchardists add mulch or maintain cover plants between trees and along waterways; irrigate at low rates to conserve water, and prevent leaching and runoff of fertilizers.
> Row crop growers rotate crops, apply mulch and plant cover crops to promote soil health and reduce water runoff, erosion, and nutrient loss.
> Dryland farmers use direct seed drills and leave crop residue on fields to enhance soil health, reduce runoff and minimize field erosion.
> Penned livestock owners place feed, water, and minerals away from streams and store manure far away from streams and under cover of a tarp or roof to prevent nutrients or bacteria from running off into water.
> Promote healthy streamside vegetation to provide bank stability, capture harmful runoff, and provide water-cooling shade.
> Orchardists add mulch or maintain cover plants between trees and along waterways; irrigate at low rates to conserve water, and prevent leaching and runoff of fertilizers.
> Row crop growers rotate crops, apply mulch and plant cover crops to promote soil health and reduce water runoff, erosion, and nutrient loss.
> Dryland farmers use direct seed drills and leave crop residue on fields to enhance soil health, reduce runoff and minimize field erosion.
> Penned livestock owners place feed, water, and minerals away from streams and store manure far away from streams and under cover of a tarp or roof to prevent nutrients or bacteria from running off into water.
Polk SWCD is here to assist technically and financially with projects to help improve or maintain water quality. Consider contacting Beth Thiel at the District if you are interested in projects that could enhance soil health and water quality in Salt Creek watershed or any areas in Polk County.
Projects could include:
Projects could include:
Improving filter strips or buffers along small tributary streams or ditches
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Enhanced Field borders to reduce soil erosion
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Installing Heavy Use Areas for high traffic livestock areas
Photo credit: Clackamas SWCD
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history & overview
Oregon’s Agricultural Water Quality Management Act (Act) was passed in 1993. This legislation is the foundation of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Agricultural Water Quality Management Program. The Act directed ODA to assist the industry in preventing and controlling pollution from agricultural sources. 38 watershed-based Agricultural Water Quality Management Areas (Management Areas) have been identified throughout the state. Local Advisory Committees (LAC) made up of ODA Water Quality Specialists, farmers, ranchers, community leaders, and other invested entities oversee each Management Area.
Each LAC identifies local agricultural water quality problems and opportunities for improvement. As the LACs helped create the plans that outline voluntary measures to address water quality issues, they also helped write Area Rules (regulations) for that Management Area to ensure that all landowners do their part to prevent and control water pollution. The Program is designed to help anyone engaged in agricultural activities to prevent water pollution. Depending on which part of Polk County you live or operate in, Ag. Water Quality Rules are set forth in either the Yamhill Area Plan or the Mid-Willamette Area Plan, copies of each can be found below.
Each LAC identifies local agricultural water quality problems and opportunities for improvement. As the LACs helped create the plans that outline voluntary measures to address water quality issues, they also helped write Area Rules (regulations) for that Management Area to ensure that all landowners do their part to prevent and control water pollution. The Program is designed to help anyone engaged in agricultural activities to prevent water pollution. Depending on which part of Polk County you live or operate in, Ag. Water Quality Rules are set forth in either the Yamhill Area Plan or the Mid-Willamette Area Plan, copies of each can be found below.
resources
Agricultural Drainage Channel Maintenance Maintenance of channels used for agricultural drainage is critical to the viability of Oregon’s farms and ranches. For more information, visit ODA's website. Use ODA's online mapping tool to check your eligibility for the program. This tool will allow you to enter an address and view wetland and waterway status, Essential Salmonid Habitat classification, and work window, or Regional Dry Maintenance Time Period. Vertical Divider
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Funding available
Questions? Contact Beth Thiel at 503-623-9680, [email protected].
