Ashland SWCD and Chamber of Commerce host Community Ag Breakfast about Lang Creek Watershed

Lang Creek is the most degraded and most at-risk of the waters in Ashland County’s Jerome Fork watershed. That’s why Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District has targeted the watershed for the development of a nine-element watershed plan – but they need community input to do so.

Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District and Ashland Chamber of Commerce are inviting constituents to provide input on the local water quality needs beginning with the Lang Creek watershed at the Ag Community Breakfast. The breakfast will be November 26 at 7:30 a.m. in the Brethren Care Village Community Wellness Center. The meeting is a free event open to all and will be an opportunity for community members to voice concerns about water quality in the watershed. Breakfast is ordered off the menu, and each attendee pays for their own meal. 

“Community input is vital to the success of our watershed planning process,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD district program administrator. “This is an opportunity for residents, business owners, and all those who live, work, and shop within the watershed to provide input on what their concerns are, identify potential solutions to those concerns, and prioritize what areas and projects need addressed first to preserve and protect Ashland County’s rich water resources.”

Ashland SWCD is working with those who live in the area, business owners, and those visiting Ashland County to develop a plan to identify challenges and needs of the watershed. In order to identify the threats to water quality in the Lang Creek watershed, partnerships are a necessity. Lang Creek encompasses parts of Clear Creek, Orange, Milton, and Montgomery townships including the city of Ashland.

Lang Creek was identified as the top priority area for watershed planning by the SWCD because it is the most degraded and most vulnerable of the watersheds within Ashland County’s Jerome Fork watershed. Although Lang Creek is classified as being in full attainment for meeting warm water habitat benchmarks, it is considered impaired for recreational use because of high bacteria levels, most likely resulting from failing septic systems and animal manure discharging into the waterways.

“This is a unique opportunity for residents to have a say in what issues are important to them in the watershed and play a proactive role in improving water quality, not only for our residents, but also to continue to attract visitors to our community.” said Houin. “Once this watershed plan is in place, it establishes a framework for projects within the watershed designed to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff and sedimentation. It also opens the door to new funding opportunities for our county to address critical projects and areas in a timely fashion.”

Ashland SWCD is spearheading development of this watershed plan as part of a grant the district received through the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The grant is focused towards improving water quality in the Jerome Fork watershed, which is home to over 50 percent of Ashland County’s population. Lang Creek watershed is a local sub-watershed of the Jerome Fork watershed. 

“The Jerome Fork Watershed Grant provides many opportunities for those within the watershed to improve water quality, soil health, and nutrient retention,” said Erica White, Ashland SWCD district technician. “Ranging from cover crop opportunities, to computer modeling for better farm management decisions, to stormwater management. With these practices, we hope to improve the overall quality of the Jerome Fork Watershed”.

For questions regarding the Ag Community Breakfast and Lang Creek planning meeting, the Jerome Fork watershed grant, or Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District, call Houin at 419-281-7645.

About the Author

Emily Wesner is the newest member of the Ashland SWCD team. Serving as the fiscal and communication specialist, she manages the social media and website, creates flyers and mailers, and maintains the finances. Emily graduated from Wilmington College in August with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture concentrating in agricultural communication. She grew up on a grain farm in northern Ashland County where she resides with her fiancé Adam, two dogs: Rosie and Foxie, and kitten Sweet Pea. Emily has a deep passion for family, agriculture and helping the community. She looks forward to growing and learning from producers in her new position!