Water Quality Division

WQ Priority Watershed Projects

Grand Lake Watershed Implementation Project 2004-2008

The Grand Lake Watershed Implementation Project focused on educating citizens, students, and municipal officials on ways to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) runoff through demonstration, training, and volunteer monitoring. The Grand Lake basin encompasses portions of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and four counties in northeastern Oklahoma, draining a total area of 10,298 square miles. Three major rivers, the Neosho River, the Spring River, and the Elk River drain into the lake. The lake itself covers 46,500 surface acres. Grand Lake is impaired by excessive nutrients from confined animal operations, residential fertilizers, and poorly functioning septic systems. Grand Lake and eleven of its tributaries are listed on the Oklahoma 2002 Integrated Report Category V List for pathogens, low dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids, chloride, and unknown causes. Funded through an EPA Clean Water Act, Section 319 grant, a total of $2,115,705 was spent in the Grand Lake Project. Funding by source: $846,282 State Funds and $1,269,423 Federal Funds.

Background
1995: Clean Lakes Study determines that algae blooms
and low dissolved oxygen in Grand Lake (water
supply for several communities) are being caused by
excess phosphorus. The likely nonpoint sources
(NPS) of this phosphorus are agricultural practices
and residential development.

2000: USGS study discovers fecal bacteria in both
surface and groundwater in the Honey Creek
watershed. Much of the bacteria was found to be
from horses and cattle, but human and pet wastes
were also sources.

2002: Grand Lake and several streams in the Honey
Creek watershed are placed on the state’s list of
impaired waters due to pathogens, low dissolved
oxygen, sulfate, TDS, chloride, and unknown causes
(based on poor fish collection).

2004: OCC begins an education and demonstration project in the
Grand Lake watershed. Project concluded in 2008.

Partners