is our

clean

JUST HOW

BLANCHARD RIVER?
turn the page to find out

WHAT IS A WATERSHED?
Its the region where surface water flows from higher points and drains to a central point, like the Blanchard River. Everyone lives in a watershed. The Blanchard River is the major watershed in Hancock County (71%), and has sixsubwatersheds through Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam, Seneca and Wyandot Counties. The Blanchard is also a sub-watershed of the Maumee River basin, draining into Lake Erie and all part of Americas greatest freshwater resource, the Great Lakes. Twenty-one percent of all the WORLDS freshwater is in the Great Lakes!
MAUMEE RIVER LAKE ERIE

IS OUR WATER CLEAN?

THE GOAL OF THE U.S. CLEAN WATER ACT IS TO ACHIEVE IN EVERY BODY OF WATER A LEVEL OR PURITY THAT AT LEAST SUPPORTS FISHING AND SWIMMING.

CRANBERRY CREEK
subwatershed

subwatershed

OTTAWA CREEK

subwatershed

EAGLE CREEK

THE OUTLET/LYE CREEK

subwatershed

THE LATEST WATER QUALITY STUDY

of the BLANCHARD RIVER shows that only 40% of our waterways meet this GOAL of the Clean Water Act. The REMAINING 60% NEEDS HELP.

AUGLAIZE R.

PUTNAM

BLANCHARD R.

SENECA

HANCOCK WYANDOT ALLEN

subwatershed

RILEY CREEK

HARDIN

60%
HEADWATERS
subwatershed

WHAT DOES THE WATERSHED HAVE TO DO WITH FLOODING?

DO NOT
MEET GOAL

WATERWAYS

OF OUR

60

The slope of the land and the amount of precipitation in the watershed determines which areas will flood. Flooding occurs in all watersheds and has great effect on residents, businesses and property owners. The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership (BRWP) is very interested in flooding. However, the focus of the BRWP is on water quality and how the water quality can be maintained and improved using natural solutions and other Best Management Practices.

drinking water

approximately 80% of the people in the watershed drink Blanchard River water.

Farming and related businesses are the basis of our local economy. The annual value of our local agri-business is estimated to be more than a

BILLION DOLLARS!

agriculture

One of the major pollutants found in the waterways is pathogens or fecal bacteria. The source(s) of the pathogens are: failing home septic systems (human waste) animal waste contaminated storm water runoff Reducing pathogens will make the water safer for living organisms and for drinking.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT CLEAN WATER...

WATER QUALITY AFFECTS EVERYONE
drinking water agriculture

The Blanchard River watershed covers nearly 495,000 acres, of which over 80% is used for agriculture purposes. Farming is the largest industry in the watershed. Water for irrigation and livestock is a major factor in the success of our agricultural heritage. The farming community is very aware of their contribution to sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen loading into the waterways of the watershed. The Algal Bloom in Lake Erie is directly linked to these loadings. Reducing sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen loading will improve water quality. The value of food production and clean water is vital to sustain our quality of life.

Water is an important part of many manufacturing processes. In addition to being a part of many finished products, water is used to heat, cool and clean in many factories. The availability of abundant clean water at a low cost helps keep existing companies in our counties and attracts new ones. Reducing sediment and pollutants in our ditches, streams and river reduces the cost of water purification treatment and helps maintain the quality of our well water.

WATER QUALITY
commerce recreation

Many river access sites, trails and nature preserves form an extensive parks system in the watershed. Easy access to fishing, boating and hiking is available for great getaways to enjoy the outdoors. A few hours of fresh air and sunshine along the river, without a long drive, can be a wilderness adventure, or close to it!

commerce

Water is making the Midwest a very attractive location for industries that need large quanities of water and for bringing qualified employees to our Great Lake region.

Anyone who enjoys canoeing, fishing, hiking or swimming, be it along the Blanchard River or Lake Erie, should be concerned with water-quality.

recreation

THE SOURCE OF ALL BLANCHARD RIVER IMPAIRMENTS ARE HUMAN-RELATED ACTIVITIES. HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP...

use Cover Crops every year use Conservation Crop Rotation use a Drainage Management Plan use Filter Strips/Riparian Buffers use Residue/Tillage Management Plan

URBAN AREAS:
use phosphorus-free fertilizer use rain barrels, plant a rain garden direct downspouts away from paved surfaces when living by a stream, create a buffer never dump anything down storm drains or into streams wash your car in the yard or at a car wash pick up after your pet check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil recycle all medicines, do not flush or dump them down the drain have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly

AGRICULTURE AREAS:
develop a Nutrient Management Plan for your farm

- No Till, Mulch Tillage, and Conservation Tillage create and restore wetlands have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly

JOIN / DONATE

VOLUNTEER

GET INVOLVED

BLANCHARD RIVER WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP

web: www.blanchardriver.org | email: brwp1237@gmail.com | address: PO Box 1237 | Findlay, OH 45839-1237
CLEAN WATER. BRIGHT FUTURE. The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership is, first and foremost, an advocate for clean water, our communitys most precious resource. We are a collaborator, educator, data keeper, facilitator and funding conduit. But what does all of that mean? We coordinate efforts with other organizations to keep the Blanchard River and its tributaries clean. Clean enough for swimming, fishing, canoeing and for processed consumption. Clean water is a valuable resource not only for recreation, but for all consumers of water including individuals and businesses. Clean water. Bright future. Thats our motto!
The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership is incorporated as an Ohio non-profit organization approved as an IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt group.