EXTENSION
Extension water resources covers a broad area of interest that includes agricultural, urban, personal, and community wide concerns. We coordinate watershed restoration and management workshops in Alabama and southern region. More than 200 workshops have been conducted on watershed restoration, innovative stormwater management practices, and watershed management. An estimated 3,000 natural resource professionals have participated in these hands-on trainings. In partnership with the ACES Water Program, over 30 demonstration stormwater practices have been implemented and more than 10,000 linear feet of stream have been enhanced or restored.
PEPPERELL BRANCH WATERSHED PROJECT
About the Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership:
Goal:
The goal of the Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership is to develop a plan to establish and implement best management practices that will improve the water quality in Pepperell Branch by reducing pollution sources throughout the watershed. The ultimate goal is for the creek to meet water quality standards all year long.
Project:
This citizen directed project will result in the production of a watershed management plan (WMP) that has been developed with insight from local stakeholders and governmental entities. The WMP will identify implementable best management practices that are based on the goals of water quality improvement and watershed protection. A comprehensive watershed approach will be used with concentrations on the most significant sources of pollution contributing to the impairments. Public engagement is encouraged. Please contact Laura Bell (Alabama Cooperative Extension) if you are interested in participating!
Sections of the Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan (PDFs available by request)
- Pepperell WMP Table of Contents
- Pepperell WMP Intro 1 and 2
- Pepperell WMP Chapter 3 Ecology
- Pepperell WMP History Section
- Pepperell WMP Historical Water Quality
- Pepperell WMP Ch 4 Partnership
- Pepperell WMP signs
- Pepperell WMP Public Outreach part 2
- Pepperell WMP Trainings
- Pepperell WMP Ch 5 Characterization
- Pepperell WMP Ch 6
- Pepperell WMP Ch 7 Pollutant Sources
- Pepperell WMP Ch 8 Management Measures
- Pepperell WMP Ch 8 part 2
- Pepperell WMP Ch 9 Outreach
- Pepperell WMP Ch 10 and 11
Past Events
Pepperell Branch Alabama Watershed Steward Trainings:
- Alabama Watershed Steward Training on July 16, 2019 at the CASIC Building, Auburn University.
- Alabama Watershed Steward Training on August 8, 2019 at the Opelika Sportsplex, Opelika.
- See the promotional video here on Facebook!
- Approved for 5.5 CEUs from Auburn University and 5 Certified Crop Advisor soil and water points.
- July 18, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- July 16, 5:30-6:30 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Public Meeting about the Watershed Management Plan at the Opelika City Hall Council Chambers.
- June 27, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- June 13, 5:30-7:30 pm, Storm Drain Marking Event in Opelika – Please join us in downtown Opelika for a volunteer event to install storm drain markers in areas around town on Thursday evening, June 13 at 5:30 – 7:30 pm. We will meet at the Frog Pocket Park in downtown Opelika for sign in, supplies, and brief instructions. We will split into teams and disperse to multiple locations around town to install the markers.
- May 23, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- April 25, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- March 28, 3:00-5:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- Saturday, March 2, 2019, 8:00-10:00 am – Creek Cleanup and Environmental Fair, Shady Park, Opelika, AL. Please join us March 2! We will have breakfast snacks along with our booths with fun water related activities, recycling, and even make a fish print! It will be great fun for all ages. After you enjoy a few booths there will be an opportunity to help pick up litter to protect our streams.
- February 14, 3:00-4:15 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- Monday, February 4, 2019 9:00am- 5:00pm – Introduction to Watershed Modeling Course for water and natural resource professionals. Participants will gain an understanding of what model is needed for watershed protection planning, how modeling fits into 9 Elements, and the resources needed to take the next steps. The models and tools the course will cover include: load duration curves (LDC), Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEP-L), Generalized Watershed Loading Function (GWLF), P8 urban catchment model (P8-UCM), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), AGricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model (AGNPS), Hydrologic Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF), Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Cost: $20. Location: Center for Science, Innovation, and Quality, Conference Room 301, 559 Devall Dr. Auburn, AL 36830
- January 24, 3:00-5:00 pm – Public Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- January 25, 5:00-8:00 pm – Free Alabama Water – Bacteriological Monitoring Workshop, Description: Detect levels of E.coli and other coliform bacteria in water as indicators of contamination. Determine if water is safe for drinking, swimming and aquatic life. Contact Email: awwprog@auburn.edu Workshop Contact Phone: 334-844-4785 Workshop Location: CASIC Building 559 Devall Drive Auburn, AL 36849
- January 26, 9:00am-4:00 pm – Free Alabama Water Watch Water Chemistry Monitoring Workshop, Description: Test physical and chemical characteristics of water to determine pollution sources and long-term trends in water quality. Six variables are measured with a customized test kit, and results can be compared with water quality standards that define conditions for healthy waterbodies. Contact Email: awwprog@auburn.edu Workshop Contact Phone: 334-844-4785 Workshop Location: CASIC Building 559 Devall Drive Auburn, AL 36849
- December 13, 3:00-4:30 pm – Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- November 29, 3:00-5:00 pm – Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
- November 8, 3:00-5:00 pm – Public Pepperell Branch Watershed Bus Tour. Meet the bus at 2:45 pm at Southern Union parking lot and the tour will begin at 3 pm. We will drive along roads close to the watershed boundary so that everyone can get a feel for the area within the watershed. Stops at Monkey Park, Cunningham Bridge, and downtown.
- Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 am – Storm Drain Marking Volunteer Event
- October 18, 3-5 pm – First Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail. (Agenda)
- September 18, 2018 Kick off Public Meeting – Opelika City Council Chamber
Previous power point presentations:
- Watershed Management Plan for Pepperell Branch
- Project Overview and Partners
- Basics of Watersheds and Water Quality
- The Creekline Greenway Project – Shealy Langley
- Alabama Water Watch – Sydney Smith
- Educational Signs – Laura Bell
Pepperell Branch Watershed Updates (PDFs available by request)
- Pepperell Branch Data (ADEM + AWW)
- Pepperell Powerpoint 4-H Water Watch – Gina Nimmo
- Pepp_Implementation Presentation_6.27
- WPP presentation_Pepperell Updates July 2019
Publicity on Pepperell Branch Watershed:
- August-7-2019-Educational-Signs-Installed at Opelika Parks and Schools
- OPELIKA-PUBLIC-MEETING-FOR-PEPPERELL-BRANCH-WATERSHED-MANAGEMENT-PLAN-DRAFT–
- PEPPERELL-BRANCH-WATERSHED-PARTNERSHIP-INSTALLING-STORM-DRAIN-MARKER-PROGRAM-June-13-2019
- PEPPERELL BRANCH environmental fair and pet waste station installation March-11-2019-Update
- Pepperell Branch Watershed Project in Opelika Underway
- New grant funds research to improve water quality in Opelika
- Opelika Officials Work to Improve Water Quality
- Storm Drain Marking Event, October 27
- City of Opelika Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan Springs Into Action
- City of Opelika Public Meeting for Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan Set For September 18
- WSFA News TV interview 9/30/18
- Opelika Auburn News (OANOW.com) 09/31/18
*This project was fully funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 4
Watershed Plan, Middle Tennessee River Valley
To request a copy of the most updated draft watershed plan, please send a request to brantley@auburn.edu
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project is a team effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee with technical assistance from Auburn University and the University of Alabama-Huntsville to increase agricultural irrigated acres to maximize local economic benefit, minimize environmental and cultural resources impacts and improve rural communities.
The proposed project would assist in providing cost-share for a range of irrigation technologies (ex: center pivot, microirrigation, plasticulture, tow-traveler) and diverse farm sizes, types and demographics. Irrigation practices may be partially funded through the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL 83-566).
PURPOSE AND NEED
Through the Watershed Program authorized by Public Law 83-566, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to local organizations for planning and carrying out watershed projects that help solve natural resource and related economic problems in a specific watershed. These issues can include watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and wetlands creation.
In accordance with the provisions of the NRCS’s Watershed Program, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee is eligible for funding to address agricultural water needs. The purpose of this project is to provide cost-share funding to expand irrigation.
WE WANT YOUR INPUT!
NRCS invites all interested parties to review the Draft Watershed Plan-EA and attend the public meeting to learn more about the project. We are asking for your comments and suggestions to develop a Final Watershed Plan-EA. Paper copies of the draft watershed plan are available at NRCS offices in Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties, Alabama.
Written comments are highly encouraged and will be accepted in person at the public meeting or via U.S. Mail or email at:
Please email comments to Vernon Abney, USDA NRCS, Vernon.Abney@al.usda.gov
Comments may be sent by US Mail:
Mr. Vernon Abney, State Conservation Engineer
Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 311
Auburn, Alabama 36831-0311
Coastal Restoration Technology Workshop
GULF COAST WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY AND MODELING SYSTEMS WORKSHOP
December 3-4, 2019
1705 Main Street
Daphne, AL 36526
PURPOSE:
Build capacity in local communities to manage and restore coastal watersheds for long-term sustainability. The first day will focus on lessons learned from the past five years of implementing restoration projects in the D’Olive watershed to reduce sediment transport and peak flows during runoff. The second day will focus on application of Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis products to improve City/County stormwater management.
2019 Urban Stream Assessment & Restoration
Urban Stream Assessment & Restoration Workshop:
May 1-2, 2019
Auburn University
109 CASIC Building
559 Devall Drive, Auburn, Alabama
Auburn University Parkerson Mill Creek Rugby Reach: Stream Workshop Assessment Site
Instructor: Greg Jennings, PhD, PE, Jennings Environmental PLLC
This 2-day workshop includes classroom and field learning experiences on the topics of applied fluvial geomorphology and stream restoration. Participants will learn field stream assessment to evaluate channel and floodplain morphology, stability assessment, and restoration potential. Presentations and field tours of local stream restoration projects will describe restoration techniques for urban streams and how to measure post-restoration geomorphic conditions. Participants will gain an understanding of key design parameters including bankfull channel dimensions, entrenchment ratio, riffle-pool sequences, and hydraulic parameters including discharge and shear stress. Other restoration components to be evaluated on local projects include in-stream boulder and log structures, stream bank revetments, and native riparian vegetation.
Thank you to our sponsors: Motz Enterprises, Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
This workshop is in support of the Moores Creek Watershed Implementation project partially funded by a Section 319 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and US Environmental Protection Agency Region IV
Presentations & Resources: (PDFs available by request if not linked)
- Introduction
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AU 1 Stream Morp
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AU 2 Stream Classifcation and Stability
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AU 3 Restoration
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AU Vegetation Planning
Resources:
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Stream-Survey-Data-Sheets
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BEHI-NBS
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Stream-Condition-Rapid-Assessment
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Regional-Curve-Piedmont
2018 Stream Assessment
Stream Assessment Workshop:
April 18-19, 2018
CASIC Building
559 Devall Drive, Room 109
Auburn, Alabama
Resources:
This 2-day workshop introduces concepts of fluvial geomorphology and stream processes related to channel and floodplain formation, bankfull stage identification, regional hydraulic geometry curves, applications of the Rosgen classification system for natural streams in the Southeast, and assessment tools for stream morphological and ecological conditions. Morning classroom sessions are followed by afternoon field sessions where students work in small groups to measure stream physical and ecological conditions. Students will learn to calculate stream morphology relationships for channel dimension, pattern, and profile by hand and using a spreadsheet. Students will also learn about field techniques for measuring streambank erosion, pebble count techniques for substrate analysis, and channel assessment of reference and impaired streams. These assessment techniques provide a basis for determining a stream system’s departure from reference conditions and opportunities for restoration. Students should bring field gear, waders, calculator, and a laptop for Excel spreadsheet calculations. This workshop is open to individuals from all backgrounds interested in learning to assess stream conditions. Future workshops on stream restoration techniques will be based on the concepts learned in this fundamental workshop.
INSTRUCTORS
Greg Jennings, PhD, PE, Jennings Environmental, LLC, NC State University Professor Emeritus
Justin Barrett, PE, Five Smooth Stones Restoration, PLLC
Eve Brantley, PhD, Auburn University, Associate Professor, Dept of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences
PARTNERS
Sponsored by: Auburn University, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, City of Auburn, Auburn University Water Resources Center (PDFs available by request if not linked)
- Development of Ecogeomorphological Curves for the Piedmont Region of Alabama
- Appalachian Plateau Regional Curves Final Report
- Piedmont Regional Curve
- Classification of Natural Rivers (Rosgen)
- Rosgen Classification Chart
- Reference Reach – Blueprint for Natural Channel Design (Rosgen)
- Federal Interagency Handbook Stream Corridor Restoration
- 2018 Stream Survey Data Sheets
- BEHI NBS
Presentations (PDFs available by request)
- Introduction to Streams
- Stream Morphology
- Stream Classification & Stability
- Parkerson Mill Creek Watershed Overview
2017 Stream Design
Presentations: (PDFs available by request)
- Stream Design
- Coastal AL Case Study
- City of Auburn Project Objectives
- Vegetation Overview
Workshop Resources:
- Stream Restoration Design Steps
- Stream Restoration Design Checklist
- Stream Data Sheets
- Stream Design Case Study
- Stream Optimization
- Rosgen Stream Classification Diagram
2016 Stream Resources
Assessment Documents:
Presentations (PDFs available by request):
- Stream Intro
- Stream Morphology
- Stream Classification
- Stream Stability
- Restoration Case Studies
- Floodplain Assessment
- Stream Biota
- Vegetation Planning
- Watershed Assessment and Implementation
Resources:
- Piedmont Regional Curve
- Southwest Appalachian Regional Curve