C. Agriculture

4. Conservation Practices in Watershed

a. History of Hydrologic Unit Area

In 1991 the USDA recognized the Darby Watershed as a Hydrologic Unit Area (HUA).  The HUA designation increased funding available to agencies involved in the watershed such as the NRCS and the Ohio State University Extension.  Approximately $600,000 in cost-share funds was administered to farmers by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) between 1991 and 1995 to implement conservation and best management practices.  The major improvements in the watershed through 1996 include:

• Between 1991 and 1996 conservation tillage (no-till) in the watershed increased from 45,000 acres to approximately 111,000 acres.  
• In 1996, sediment entering the stream from farms was reduced from the historical average of 125,000 tons/year to 100,000 tons/year.   
• Nutrient and pest management plans were applied on 14,650 acres  
• 136 filter strips were installed  
• 191 acres of grassed waterways were planted  
• 17,783 feet of fencing were installed along the Darby and its tributaries
• 321 acres of trees were planted  
• 14 water and sediment control basins were installed.

Source: U.S. EPA, 2000

It is clear that from 1991 to 1996, conservation practices increased, thus improving water quality.  However, the overall success of this program is not entirely clear because the extent to which farmers converted to conservation practices may have been part of a widespread trend across the region and not the HUA program.  In addition, improvements in conservation practices were varied across the watershed.

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Last updated: August 18, 2008.