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Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Unfortunately, that is the case in many places and could become a reality here in southwest Missouri if we are not careful. The Spring River Watershed encompasses all or part of Barry, Barton, Christian, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, Newton, and Stone counties. Major rivers that make up the watershed are North Fork of Spring River, Center Creek, Turkey Creek, and Shoal Creek, with many smaller creeks flowing into them.
The watershed is mainly rural with major cities of Joplin, Neosho, Carthage, Mt. Vernon, Monett, Lamar, Sarcoxie, Aurora, and Webb City. This watershed encompasses 2,271 square miles. Point source and nonpoint source pollutants, from sewage treatment facilities, subdivisions, mobile home parks, runoff from mine tailings, seepage for septic tanks, agriculture runoff, and erosion have been and will continue to be an issue for this watershed.
Water quality ranges from fair to excellent throughout the watershed. The stream habitat is fair to good throughout most of the watershed as well, which is home to eighty-six species of fish, thirty-five species of mussels, and five species of crayfish. There are currently no advisories for eating fish from waters in the watershed.
Four management goals based on the Spring River Watershed Inventory and Assessment:
Goal 1: Improve water quality and maintain or improve water quantity.
Goal 2: Improve Riparian and aquatic habitat conditions to meet needs of native wildlife while accommodating demands for water and agriculture production
Goal 3: Maintain a diverse and abundant population of native aquatic organisms.
Goal 4: Improve public’s appreciation for the stream resources.
For more information on Spring River Watershed visit https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/watersheds/SpringRiverWatershed370.pdf.
 Grand Falls on Shoal Creek
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