A public session will be held next week by members of a local watershed improvement group to collect input on ways of enhancing the water quality on Spring River running just north of Carthage.
The meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, inside the Carthage Technical Center (agricultural department) at 609 River.
This input session will be open to Jasper County residents located on or near the Spring River as well as Carthage residents. Free ice cream, cookies and iced tea will be served.
Spring River is one of four “impaired” watershed areas identified a few months ago by the Jasper County Health Department. The group is currently focused on the portion of the river that runs near Carthage — 12 miles or so — since portions are already impaired by bacteria.
The watershed plan would look at that area and what kind of contaminants located in that area, and what should be done to improve water quality there. It would include the northern portion of Carthage and also areas east and west of the city.
Once a plan is developed, group members can identify ways to improve the river’s water quality and also allow them to qualify for federal funding opportunities to address the contamination issues.
The group’s ultimate goal is to develop a watershed management plan for the entire Spring River Basin, which essentially covers the entire Jasper County.
It will be a hands-on workshop, to gain insight from the public in order to properly develop a management plan that meets the needs of the community.
A watershed is a geographic area that is drained by a river, including tributaries and small streams that flow directly into the river.
