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Request for Work Session - Catfish Creek Watershed Management Copyright 2014 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 21. ITEM TITLE: Request for Work Session - Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority SUMMARY: City Manager recommending a work session be set for April 6, 2015 at 5:30 PM on the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve ATTACHMENTS: Description Type ❑ CCWMA Watershed Management Plan letter Supporting Documentation ❑ Catfish Creek Watershed Mgmt Plan Supporting Documentation CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED February 20, 2015 The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members City of Dubuque City Hall-50 W. 13`" Street Dubuque IA 52001 SUBJECT: Review of Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan Dear Mayor and City Council Members: The Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority is an organization assembled to tackle concerns with water quality and flooding on a watershed level.The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the Cities of Asbury,Centralia,Dubuque,and Peosta;Dubuque County,and the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District.Our mission is to reduce the risks of flooding and its effects,improve water quality and promote a healthier existence for all living things that call the Catfish Creek Watershed home.This means crossingjurisdictional boundaries and working together to solve problems within the entire watershed. BACKGROUND The Catfish Creek Watershed is a beautiful and diverse 57 square mile watershed that includes industrial centers, residential neighborhoods, rolling cropland, steep bluffs,rock outcrops, and dense forests. About half of the City of Dubuque lies in the watershed as well as parts of the Cities of Asbury, Peosta and Centralia. Much of the watershed lies in Waal Dubuque County. In 2011, the City entered into a 28E intergovernmental agreement with the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District(SWCD) and Dubuque County for the purpose of preparing and implementing a Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan. In 2012, the Cities of Dubuque,Asbury, Peosta, and Centralia, Dubuque County, and the SWCD entered into a 28E intergovernmental agreement to create the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority(CCWMA) and established a Board of Directors. The City received a $24,500 Phase I watershed planning grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to create the CCWMA. Under Iowa law, the CCWMA is a formal partnership created to accomplish the following: . Assess and reduce flood risk; . Assess and improve water quality, . Monitor federal flood risk planning and activities; . Educate residents of the watershed regarding flood risks and water quality; and . Allocate moneys made available for purposes of water quality and flood mitigation. Review of Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan Page 2 DISCUSSION In 2013, the City of Dubuque, in partnership with the CCWMA Board, entered into a contract with the IEDA for a Phase 11 watershed planning grant of$187,330 to develop the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan. In 2013, after soliciting proposals from qualified consultants, the City of Dubuque contracted with Applied Ecological Services (AES)to develop the Plan with approval from IEDA. The $110,500 AES contract is paid entirely with IEDA grant funds. The Plan is a critical step in securing future funding for improvements throughout the watershed. To qualify for these funds,the Plan must meet Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Working with the CCWMA Board, landowners, various community stakeholders, and the general public, AES has created a detailed Watershed Management Plan and implementation strategy. The Executive Summary for the 300-page Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan is enclosed. RECOMMENDATION The CCWMA Board appreciates the support of all our partners in developing the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan, and recommends timely implementation of the Plan. The CCWMA Board encourages all partners to begin using the Plan as a policy guide for adopting regulations, polices, and programs that reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and educate people about watershed stewardship. The CCWMA Board urges all partners to utilize the Plan to guide local developers, contractors, and engineers prior to approval of new development in the Catfish Creek Watershed. The CCWMA Board respectfully requests an opportunity to make a 30-minute presentation on the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan and our initial implementation strategy at an upcoming meeting or work session. Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me to schedule a presentation on the Plan via email: eschmechelAdubuqueswcd.org or phone: (563) 876-3418 Ext. 305. Sincerely, Eric Schmechel Urban Conservationist/ CCWMA Administrator Dubuque County Soil & Water Conservation District Enclosure: Executive Summary cc: Board of Directors, Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority Dean Mattoon, Engineering Assistant/ CCWMA Administrator, City of Dubuque Catfish Creek Watershed „ 1«F anagenent 'P � a n 1".:, Pa o-- ie A C3'uide to Protecting and Res or' Watershed Health Preprvocl for -ter City of Dubuque } By Applied Ecological Services;-Inc- — December2014 �CECUTIVE SUMMARY ^ n Arry n t ,i Y M ti 1t4 wthivivigs y I+ y { i` 1 ■_ ^n: Ir 1 ■■WWLIdE > _ ,4ppliud 6eolopal Servloea,Inc_ INTRODUCTION HOW HarstSpsIBBISWOrk Septic lank drain field Plugged Sinkhole Siollh.ia pled g"'a,- ach of us lives, works, and plays in a hd.°"' Ewatershed.A watershed is best described as an area of land where surface water drains to a common location such as a stream, Wali river, or lake. The source of groundwater *" recharge to aquifers, streams, and lakes is also considered part of a watershed. Dolomlle ' ` J ' �- Watersheds are complex systems because there is interaction between natural elements such as climate, surface water, r t groundwater, vegetation, wildlife, and human wa=' ` d"a`ef elements. Human influences generally It. nal on dir 1Peld produce polluted stormwater runoff, increase drain field To spimg ;? impervious surfaces, alter stormwater flows, Source:Sourcerock.blogspot and degrade or fragment natural areas. I i Catfish Creek Watershed Locator Maps atflsh Creek watershed (HUC 10 - C#0706000501)) is located along the e d°e`" w y southwestern half of the City of Dubuque, as well as parts of Asbury, Peosta, and Centralia Propc,l°muen _ • i in Dubuque County, Iowa. Catfish Creek flows tt,W<��, generally northeast, beginning near the City of Peosta, and enters the Mississippi River on Dubuque's south side in the Mines i Spain area nm State Recreation Area. There are five smaller watersheds within the Caffish Creek Watershed. _ These include: North Fork, Middle Fork, Sout ' =Fork, Granger Creek, and Catfish Creek (mai stem). Catfish Creek and its many smaller tributaries account for approximately 196 �� Catfish Creek Watershed stream/tributary miles that drain approximate utu' emevedeeteeifer 72 square miles (46,100 acres)of land surfa'' Watershed ) n e- 1 Much of the watershed remains rural. The fi. forks of Catfish Creek support a diverse se'. 9�Ury N, plants and animals and are a draw for hunte ■ ` ��d,'lE�,ty, © anglers and those seeking to enjoy some G nler E Mlaa`B °' t ,�weiU'`0'0"' y.�' IL Dubuque County's most scenic areas, butt TdwDehtl _ + ,' 4 remain threatened by large amounts of soil a adft-"a a ° fdwo hip ,�t_ nutrients entering the water from both urban G a and agricultural runoff. atfish Creek watershed is located in t C Dubuque County within portions of seven "IVernon ' (h{/ ` townships, and four municipalities (see map, To44h) l Table ound °`rownsill Mo a em left). The entire watershed is located within Whneweier Creek ' \ l i To, Hi —Watarsnad � ,,•,,, � P Dubuque County. Of the four municipalities in e'$ \� the watershed, the City of Dubuque has the largest share of the watershed followed by the haw © o City of Asbury, City of Peosta and the City of r n 4 Centralia. 1 �u Township Boundary Lytle• reek r .w.7�� Municipality at relied q n^"r' Y FS Asbury airle a �, d 41 Centralia own�hl t o t ti s. 06i J� S t iia• w»�n.,.a.�,n,. �Dubuque Peosta MISSION The Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority (CCWMA) is governed by a �y E Board divided among the political subdivisions comprising the watershed.The Board is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and improvement of Catfish Creek watershed. The CCWMA's mission is to: "To reduce the risks of flooding and its effects, improve water quality and promote a healthier existence for all living things that call the Catfish Creek Watershed home. The Catfish Creek Watershed Management I I Authority is an organization assembled to PURPOSEtackle concerns with water quality and flooding .M on a watershed level. This means crossing jurisdictional boundaries and working together The overall water quality condition in C sh > % to solve problems within the entire watershed." Creek watershed is poor. Accordi; ? IDNR's 2012 Integrated Report, Catfish.C '_y from the mouth to the confluence with So h v i Fork, Granger Creek, and South Fork a, GOALS all impaired for either primary or seconda , contact due to the presence of indicato Implement watershed bacteria. An unnamed tributary to Catfish educational and stewardship Creek (CCT16) is impaired for aquatic life due`s to organic enrichment/low dissolved oxe programs and increase Catfish Creek upstream ,of the conflu@ COmmUnlCaflOn and coordination 'r with South Fork, Middle Fork, and No among stakeholders. all have an impairment of a presupptiv Manage and mitigate for indicator contact) due to the present existing and future structural bacteria. Additionall�rw:Catfish C ee from Swiss Valley Campground scut flood problems. about 3 miles is classified as a Class B Protect groundwater 1) Coldwater aquatic life use stream because quality and quantity and educate it holds an introduced reproducing trout stakeholders on the influence of population. This reach is considered partially supported based on biological monitoring karst topography on groundwater conducted in 2001 and 2007. resources. Protect and manage fish In the City of Dubuque and the Catfish and wildlife habitat. Creekreek Watershed Management Authority (CCWMA) applied for and received Iowa Improve surface water Economic Development Authority (IEDA) quality to meet applicable funding to undergo a watershed planning effort standards. and produce a comprehensive "Watershed Manage natural and Management Plan" for the Catfish Creek watershed that meets requirements as defined Cultural Components of the by the United States Environmental Projection Green Infrastructure Network. Agency (USEPA). Ultimately, the intent of the Encourage agricultural planning effort is to develop and implement techniques and soil conservation a Watershed Management Plan designed to achieve water quality standards. The City of practices that will protect and Dubuque hired Applied Ecological Services, conserve topsoil and bolster our Inc. (AES) in May 2012 to develop the plan. water resources. 9 n rh�erain of the Midwestern United States was created over thousands of years as glaciers advanced and retreated the Pleistocene Era. Some of these glaciers were a mile thick or more, but the area that is now Catfish Creek watershed lies in a region that was mostly unaffected by the glaciers which covered the rest of Iowa's landscape. Here the carbonate bedrock has been weathered and exposed for longer than the surrounding areas, creating unusual features such as limestone-walled valleys, high bluffs, caves, crevices, and sinkholes, as well as rock formations. This unique geology is known as karst topography. It leaves the region more vulnerable to both surface and groundwater contamination because the system is more permeable than elsewhere. The crevices and sinkholes common in the area allow for less infiltration and pollutant removal than would be found in an area without karst topography and expedited routes for pollutants to contaminate surface and groundwater resources. he unique geology of the area has also influenced the stream characteristics of Catfish Creek. In some areas, exposed bedrock makes up the bottom of the stream channel. The coldwater portion of the main branch of Catfish Creek (also known as Upper Catfish Creek)is made possible by naturally occurring seeps that keep temperatures cool enough for trout during summer months and provide a warmer environment over winter. This high-quality, cold-water reach is one of only `30 streams in Iowa with a population of naturally reproducing brown trout. -rhe U.S. public land surveys of Iowa descri6ed the-majority of Catfish Creek watershed as 'timber," "scattering trees," or"part prairie/part timber with some pockets of "prairie." This mixture of "timber" and "prairie" across the landscape that ecologists now refer to as savanna. A savanna typically consists of scattered trees that have canopies that range from : Catfish Creek Watershed Catfish Creek Watershed l M �? 11I110M ga'k.fa Flo. ,,,((( yg tde Meq. W Rivet Jr. �U \ t Minalnarpma ed I �— SlnslnawaF er MisalssipMRive, J MbalsslpPi Fiver Jp" IL r * IL R 1� M Whliew).'creak Wni(ewafe,Creek - wata.>d I � 1S`I `LYVe ca.x — `0 opqr ■ we j 77 rehed fin^r • 7 n yy), / EXISTING 2012 LAND USE/LAND COVER FUTURE LAND USE/LAND COVER THE FUTURE Land Use ■Ag-Livestock Residential- redicted future land use changes show that the largest loss of current land ■Ag-Row Crop ■Multi-Family Puse/landcoveris expected to occur on agricultural land where approximately 1 Cemetery Residential-Mixed 6,919.1 acres of the existing21,590.6 acres (15% decrease is expected to be ■commercial Residential-High � P Density(<112 acre) converted to mostly residential and industrial land uses. The majority of these ■industrial Residential-Medium changes are expected to occur in the northern half of the watershed within the Institutional Density(uz-i acre) City of Dubuque and the areas surrounding the Southwest Arterial extension. !i Landfill Residential-Low In addition, existing open space Is also expected to decrease from 10,060.4 ■office space Density(>1 acre) acres to 9,107.6 acres In the future, a 952.8-acre decrease. However, it is ■open space ■Transportation important to note that 111.4 acres of public parks/golf courses are expected to \Park/Golf Course ■water be created. \ Quarry ■wet and CHALLENGES1 s of Catfish Creek watershed exceed recommended water quality criteria for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. orl<, Catfish Creek, and Granger Creek exceed recommended E.coli guidelines. ,•/ Agricultural land use in the watershed is the single largest contributor of nitrogen (58%), phosphorus (64%), and sediment (57%)to streams, followed by streambank erosion and urban land use. • 71% of stream reaches in the watershed are at least moderately eroded. • Where livestock is kept, they are often allowed free access to streambanks, contributing to sediment and phosphorus loading. • While some farms in the watershed utilize conservation practices, much more prevalent use of these practices needs o b i lemented throughout the watershed in order to achieve water quality targets. • s karst topography makes the watershed more vulnerable to both surface and groundwater contamination. Overall development policy among the watershed communities does not adequately protect green infrastructure. Two mulch processing facilities within the watershed drain directly to adjacent streams without additional filtration. IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS n 3 SWISS VALLEY NATURE PRESERVE Swiss Valley Nature Preserve is a 476-acre site owned by the Dubuque County Conservation Board and located in the southwestern portion of the watershed. The park is home to a large portion of Catfish Creek, as well as remnant woodlands, a restored prairie and the administrative headquarters of the Dubuque County or Conservation Board. n he portion of Catfish Creek that winds through Tthe park (also known as Upper Catfish Creek) is l•,', _s 1' made possible by naturally occurring seeps that keep +'� l '�' ,�� ''• � !t �+' temperatures cool enough for trout during summer months and provide a warmer environment over winter. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)has labeled the Upper Catfish Creek as a cold-water-Class r i "B"stream from Swiss Valley Park Campgrounds south approximately 3 miles. This high-quality, cold-water reach is one of only 30 streams in Iowa with a population of naturally reproducing brown trout. It is also stocked with trout annually by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Work to stabilize 3,000 feet of streambank within the preserve, plant native grasses, and install — 35 fish hides to Improve habitat along this reach was completed by Dubuque County Conservation Board. EIsewhere in the preserve, 10 miles of hiking trails, many of which are groomed A for cross-country skiing in the rF winter, work their way through CA the prairie, savanna, and /( 'r IMe Map ke' ,,Rlvef t' ? woodland landscapes. The s ,,:naaf preserve houses many of the x distinct features associated with to the Paleozoic Plateau,including Y''"�' "'• an abundance of naturally t. E occurring sinkholes which provide excellent habitat for both common and uncommon species. A remnant woodland remains untouched from pre- settlement times, containing 9y red and white oaks, shagbark 1 31i hickory, walnut, white ash, elm, k , A � ;•„ ,� � y" and quaking aspen, as well as a wm,�e,Creek I r c? mature maple-basswood forest \. w ,area Swiss va ar l Many of the Nature Prase, j !� i r I� If trees in this r h:�4 Y ( / 31 area are more � 1 r" ° ti• ea than 200 years NATURE CENTER old. ` a 5 Y � • MINES OF SPAIN RECREATION AREA MInes of Spain Recreation Area consists of 1,300 acres south of the City of Dubuque including the mouth of Catfish Creek and south along the Mississippi River and it is owned by Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Approximately the northern half of this area is designated by IDNR as the Catfish Creek Preserve.Only a 275-acre portion of Mines of Spain Recreation Area/Catfish Creek Preserve falls within the Catfish Creek watershed, but It includes many important natural features. The preserve Is predominantly an oak forest, with paper birch, quaking aspen, maple-basswood forest,juniper groves, and hill prairies also represented.A wide variety of plants can be found within the preserve over the course of the year. Spring flora within the woodlands include Jack-in-the-pulpit,spring beauty, hepatica, blood root,wild ginger,false Solomon's seal, pasqueflower,plantain-leaved pussytoes,hoary puccoon,violet wood sorrel,and alumroot. The woodland understory also harbors Indian pipe as well as a number of ferns including such varieties as rattlesnake, maidenhair,ebony spieenwort, lady, silvery glade, fragile, crested wood, spinulose wood, walking, bulblet, and cliffbrake. In summer prairie coreopsis, pale-spiked lobelia, round-headed bush clover, and pale purple coneflower can be found blooming in prairie areas,followed by sky-blue aster, rough blazing star, Creek Watershed sideoats grama, big and little bluestem, and Indian grass in the fall. smsmaweRiver. !? 0 3oA INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY FOREST PRESERVE Mississippi River r watershed __ I n 1988, Interstate Power Company (IPC) donated 82 acres to the Dubuque County Conservation Board, hence the name Interstate Power Company Forest Preserve. The preserve is located on Olde Davenport Rd. just north L of Schueiler Heights Rd. IPC still maintains a substation on the site, but the preserve is predominantly a oak woodland with ravines and spring-fed streams that eventually make their way to Granger Creek. Some rolling grassland, an 8-acre restored prairie, and a 1.5-mile trail can also be found on the site. Mines or$pahi . a Recreation Area ��ll c 1 a �f10 u, IPC Forest Preserve FORESPOWER / COMPANYPRESERVE I DONATED B 0,16 A FACluly Of �1 Lyne reek Important Natural Areas ) + fir.T rUNTY �'4 WatSnhed CONSERVATION r' County Park&Forest Preserve r.s 3. Ibe State Recreation Areas+ t� GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & YOUR LAND /�Green Infrastructure Network Is a connected /- ystem of natural areas and other open Catfish Creek Watershed space that conserves natural ecosystem valuesr UfOe Maquoketa Rrver l Slnslrrawa River. W! and functions, sustains clean air and water, and Watershed ) Mississippi River provides a wide array of benefits to wildlife and -; 1 I f o Watershed people. The network (see map. below) is made up of hubs and linking corridors. Hubs generally )^ � consist of the largest and least fragmented °m 'r t areas such as Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, `1 Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Interstate , - ^sawts�t q Power Company Preserve, large agricultural „T lqv areas,and golf courses. Corridors are generally '` formed by the wooded stretches along many ofthe developed reaches of Catfish Creek and tributaries. Corridors are extremely important because they provide biological conduits Whlteweh.dCreek I n between hubs. However, most parcels forming '�wamr3had ®Ij f corridors are not ideal green infrastructure until :'s residents and land owners embrace the idea of '�_ jIR"r ^nr 0 4 managing stream corridors or creating backyard habitats. 2?i rk Ciy4 a\ - Watrnhetln , HUB W e 0 1 6 9.Mibs ��V�y-+I►.»� arrN INrRnsrnueruR- :IiTVVURK CUMI'UNEtJ'r5 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK —Existing Recreational Trails ®Important Natural Areas Protected Green Infrastructure ,00"°KLM = Unprotected Green Infrastructure Hues v" Golf courses Source:greenin(rastructure.net 11, FF-- ° �t CC ► �' i IM4 f rz I PP r' 7 Igkzn` tt °j t�tr'f � i � _ �It'`�y1. ' .�•1 hit' :� '�i AIVt/i ° ,i .. `...._ l - �1 ► !r1,* �' X11 �f' � '° 71 Gc r.1a i�' i✓ f'fit �' I , If a portion of a stream runs through your land, here are some tips to help properly manage your piece of the green Infrastructure network: 1. MANAGE FERTILIZER USE • Avoid over fertilizing agricultural fields and lawns adjacent to streams and only use nutrients when soil testing shows that it is necessary. • 2. MANAGE LIVESTOCK ACCESS Where possible, fence streams, create crossings, and/or utilize pasture rotation to manage livestock access to streams and streambanks. 3. REMOVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES Identify and remove plants that are out of place (see photo guide, right). 4. PLANT NATIVE VEGETATION Plants adapted to the Midwest climate can help control erosion by stabilizing banks. 5. A NATURAL, MEANDERING STREAM IS A HAPPY STREAM t Work with experts to restore degraded stream reaches. 1 Any property owner can improve green infrastructure. Create a safe place for wildlife by providing a few simple things such as food, water, cover, and a place for wildlife to raise their young. The National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat® p program can help you get started. Golf courses can become certified through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. 1 Creating a rain garden,or a small vegetated depression, to capture water is another way of promoting Infiltration while beautifying your yard and providing additional habitat. l' Disconnecting your roof downspouts and capturing that runoff in rain barrels not only reduces the amount of runoff entering streams, ' • but also serves as a great source of water for Irrigating your yard. I[ i. W ld v ' MA, The Catfish Creek Watershed-Based Plan includes an"Action Plan"developed to provide stakeholders with recommendations to specifically address plan goals. The Action Plan includes two subsections: programmatic recommendations and site specific recommendations. Programmatic recommendations are general remedial, preventative, and regulatory watershed- wide actions. Site specific recommendations include actual locations where projects can be implemented to improve surface and groundwater quality, green infrastructure, and habitat. Programmatic recommendations and site specific High Priority- Critical Areas are discussed in this section. POLICY TYPE PROGRAMMATIC RECOMMENDATIONS Plan Adoption and/or Support& Implementation Policy Recommendations 1 Watershed Partners adopt the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan _ and incorporate plan goals, objectives, and recommended actions into icomprehensive plans and ordinances. Green Infrastructure Network Policy Recommendations Each municipality incorporates the identified Green Infrastructure Network into comprehensive plans and development review maps. Amend municipal comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances to include a Catfish Creek Watershed Protection Overlay that requires Conservation Design or Low Impact standards for all development and redevelopment located on identified Green Infrastructure Network r parcels. Require Watershed Protection Fees in all municipalities in the form of CATFISU CREEK Development Impact Fees and/or Special Service Area (SSA) taxes for all new and redevelopment to help fund management of green WATERSHED infrastructure components within developments. Require developers to protect sensitive natural areas, restore degraded natural areas and streams,then donate all natural areas and '' " naturalized stormwater management systems to a public agency or conservation organization for long term management with dedicated funding. Establish incentives for developers who propose sustainable or innovative approaches to preserving green infrastructure and using naturalized stormwater treatment trains. Require mitigation for wetlands lost to development to occur within the watershed. Road Salt Policy Recommendations Each municipality/township supplement existing programs with deicing best management practices such as utilizing alternative deicing chemicals, anti-icing or pretreatment, controlling the amount and rate of spreading, controlling the timing of application, utilizing proper I Y 1 SI 1 'I i',I-1 �� ` application equipment, and educating/training deicing employees. Lawn Fertilizer Policy Recommendations Mu nicipalities/townships create regulations banning phosphorus unless soil testing pre-application proves necessary. I Stormwater Management Facility Policy Recommendations • Require new development and redevelopment to use stormwater management facilities that serve multiple functions including storage, water / u :=.1 quality benefits, infiltration, and wildlife habitat. • Require reduced runoff volume from new and retrofitted detention basins. t+ecru + rt r-I� lil r� r'I^r-. Native Landscaping/Natural Area Restoration ' ' ' "' Allow native landscaping within local ordinances and ensure local "weed ' °y° ' r ' "'' control" ordinances do not discourage or prohibit native landscaping. HIGH PRIORITY-CRITICAL AREA SITE SPECIFIC PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS MWI. L• f r f Detention Basin Retrofits & Maintenance I i'�it A number of detention basins can be retrofitted by naturalizing with native vegetation. Naturalized basins improve water quality from developed areas, improve habitat, and require less maintenance. ,: Seven detention basins were identified as High Priority-Critical Areas in the watershed. Wetland Restoration Wetland restoration sites are generally associated with large areas that were historically wetland prior to European settlement in the 1830s but Aiabilize and restore were drained for agricultural purposes.Fourteen High Priority-Critical Area streambanks and riparian areas wetland restoration sites were identifiied, many of which can be restored by breaking existing drain tiles and planting with native vegetation. Streambank, Channel, & Riparian Restoration Fifty-nine stream reaches have been identified as High Priority- Y Critical Areas because they exhibit highly eroded banks or degraded channel conditions that are a major source of both nutrients and total 1 suspended solids (sediment). Streambank stabilization and channel restoration using bioengineering, as well as adjacent riparian area -IJ. restoration, t + restoration, will reduce pollutants and Improve habitat. at -� Green Infrastructure Protection Areas Thirty-five green infrastructure protection areas have been selected ' in the watershed after careful review of their location within the green infrastructure network and predicted land use changes. Most parcels e are undeveloped agricultural land, about half of which are planned for " future development. The recommendation is that these parcels be preserved or developed using conservation or low Catfish Creek Watershed A impact development designs. Ittle MaqusRyer - _ ��Slnslnawa River- •� W1 rhe Agricultural Management Practices WatJahed ) bsD Mississippi River Agricultural measures would greatly ) Watershed _ reduce pollutant loading in the watershed. MFx'�r MFVY Recommendations in the plan include �, V conservation tillage (no till) and vegetated Glee +Gme �l ddaF°'� 'u Gloi oee,cl swales for cropland and fencing to manage a �Q 0.M`°' �� stream access and waste management on op, M8 GI=e' ;, e> ee s� e livestock operations. Forty-three agricultural °� 6 MF+p wx] o ,eA mla Glu G`' G119 SFT+S areas were identified as High Priority-Critical na'�„A '1 Gh y4a W”L� � '^ fpg 6"' a 4 ` Areas for potential pollutant reduction based pq^'�] .r' J'IWIaIC?3 ,� , °`�'° .=a �, ` ,,, P--- on the results of the watershed inventory. �` ya fjI' oµ �" 'Na G"' G124 -G O6 y G 11 'SGu'+'F fi. �13 4^ - {xE IRC Glx] 11A Other Management Measures ` IIA 1 A GI11 �a G, CG As a result of the watershed inventory,three critical areas that fall under the category "° - jam W Whh�taw ter Creek �� JJ3 of "other' management measures were ^water had e a 4138 �"," �' >� i `- 6'^ found.They include an area where parking 1 �.' e�WA WWoJ lot BMPs are needed, as well as two mulch GI=e cne G 1 6=e processing facilities that drain directly to � � �' �. ��,b� °""�;, ex^ adjacent streams. 1 Gne^ Critical Area Types T 690 e NtanA°n eaelna ~ �� ]xA b„y.n. -bWllend Rset°ration -- - ;sa Lytle Creek — ■p ■ �6Vaembenk.Channel,BRiperian I ° ,y, Watirshed �� ®Aprlwllural Lend - 1° W B GA V , L_- Green InfmaWclure ProbNlon vasa a Qother Mene9enwnt Meeeufes ' .. =a, r•elA - For more information, .. . www.catfishcreekwatershed.org ; ' How can you help Catfish Creek? ' " Agricultural Community ❑ Consult your local Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS)office regarding yt J enrollment in conservation programs to help reduce soil erosion, enhance supplies, improve water quality, increase habitat, and reduce flood damages. Residents, Land Owners, & Businesses ❑ Reduce fertilizer use - only use fertilizer when testing shows it is needed. ❑ Use less salt on driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks during winter months. ❑ Use native landscaping to decrease watering needs and maintenance. E ❑ Install rain gardens and use rain barrels to reduce stormwater runoff. �1 ❑ Manage your land as part of the green infrastructure network. CATFISH CREEK ❑ Attend meetings with decision makers to express concerns about the watershed. ❑ Attend watershed education and participation events. WATERSHED ❑ Build a sense of community in your neighborhood around Catfish Creek and the watershed. Watershed Coordinators & Municipalities & Townships CCWMAAdministrators: ❑ Adopt the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan&inform the public that a plan Dean Mattoon has been developed. City of Dubuque ❑ Incorporate watershed plan goals and recommended actions into local comprehensive plans, zoning overlays, codes, and ordinances. Eric Schmechel ❑ Build"demonstration projects,"or large-scale water quality&public education projects, Dubuque Soil&Water near public facilities. Conservation District ❑ Distribute materials to help residents manage streams and green infrastructure in Executive Summary their backyards. Produced by: Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority Applied Ecological ❑ Identify "champions" to participate at future Catfish Creek watershed meetings, Services, Inc. pursue projects, and to evaluate watershed plan implementation progress. ❑ Hire a Watershed Implementation Coordinator to lead plan implementation. All photos by AES unless otherwise noted. ue Cay �nS,„� pOJ6U UFCp�H J�TED Srq�s NABQTE �abQ` lC� � k, o� a , m � R n <� Q F O Y Masterpiece on the MississippiC w- ��\oO VBU �� GQ •� � �FyTgC PnOY�°��e� Canso4W 09MATMR IOWA GreenD�Ckyr�e - Asbury = .