Improvements announced for Harris Creek watershed

With the Harris Creek project almost complete, the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service teamed up to present Better Management Practices to local farmers.

District Conservationist Jaime Carpenter said the Harris Creek project was about improving the water quality of Harris Creek.

“Harris Creek is on the endangered list so we had landowners on the creek apply for help to improve the water quality,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter said the different practices are unique to each site. However, farmers toured the Northwest Alabama Livestock Auction to see the different practices used to improve that portion of Harris Creek.

The improvements provided to area landowners near the watershed include a freeze free watering trough, cross fencing, stone crossing for Harris Creek, exclusion fencing, a waste structure, and pervious concrete.

Carpenter said eight landowners took advantage of the grant, and all the projects that applied were funded.

“Harris Creek is a small watershed,” Carpenter said. “We are glad that everyone who wanted service was funded.”

Carpenter said he believes the improvements definitely improved the quality of water, but isn’t sure if the watershed will be taken off the endangered list.

“Another agency completes the survey for the list, but I feel confident these practices will help the water quality in this watershed.”