Watershed Grant for Tulsa Area

Spavinaw Creek is shown entering Eucha Lake in northeastern Oklahoma.

The EPA announces a $2,059,773 grant to the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Environment to implement watershed plans to control nonpoint source pollution and protect water quality.

“Nonpoint source” pollution is rain or snow runoff that picks up pollutants from fertilizers, herbicides, oil, grease, toxic chemicals, construction sediment, salt from irrigation practices and bacteria from livestock and pet waste and transfers them to waterways and groundwater.

The project calls for implementing best management practices, construction of bioretention cells, the purchase of conservation easements in the Eucha/Spavinaw watershed and riparian protection and streambank stabilization.

The Eucha and Spavinaw watersheds are in Mayes and Delaware Counties in northeastern Oklahoma. Those lakes are a principle water source for the city of Tulsa. The watersheds of Grand Lake, Hog Creek, the Illinois River and Honey Creek are included in the grant.