Water Quality Division

WQ Priority Watershed Project

North Canadian River Watershed Implementation Project 2007-2010

The North Canadian River Watershed Implementation Project is a partnership between local landowners, conservation districts (CD), the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), the NRCS, and the USEPA to address water quality impairments in the project area. Water samples at various locations along the North Canadian River in Oklahoma have repeatedly exceeded Oklahoma water quality standards for fecal coliform, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Enterococcus bacteria, as well as turbidity. As a result, the segment of the North Canadian River from Lake Overholser to the Canton Dam is the focus of the North Canadian River Water Quality Project, which began in 2007. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being installed on a voluntary, cost share basis to reduce bacteria and turbidity, the principle nonpoint source pollutants. Educational opportunities are being offered to landowners and residents of the 760 square mile watershed through informational seminars, local district interaction, and the OCC’s Blue Thumb program, which trains residents in water quality monitoring.

See the North Canadian River Project factsheet (pdf) for details