Watershed Improvement Leadership: Chance to lead the full process—from planning to funding acquisition—for long-term water quality enhancement.

Grant Funding Success: Opportunity to pursue and secure a 2022 Section 319 Non-Point Source Grant to support implementation.

Data-Driven Insights: Use of GIS mapping and extensive water quality data from 32 sampling events across 17 stream sites to guide targeted improvements.

Community Collaboration: Engagement with local stakeholders through four public watershed council meetings, incorporating feedback directly into the plan.

Complex Watershed Conditions: Required a comprehensive review of existing watershed systems to identify key pollutant sources and feasible improvement strategies.

Balancing Priorities: Needed to align environmental objectives, available funding, and community expectations within a practical and measurable framework.

Extensive Data Analysis: Processing and interpreting data from multiple sampling sites to support evidence-based recommendations and prioritization.

Coordination Across Agencies: Managing communication and expectations among KDOW, funding agencies, and local partners to maintain project momentum.

Strategic BMP Development: Identified 24 Best Management Practices (BMPs) with 42 actionableitems detailing responsible parties, costs, funding sources, and measurable milestones.

Long-Term Monitoring Framework: Developed a 10-year timeline for continued water quality monitoring, evaluation, and implementation of BMPs.

Effective Public Involvement: Built strong community ownership through consistent outreach and transparent decision-making.

Regulatory Progress: Submitted the McDougal and Castleman Creek Watershed Management Plan to KDOW in December 2023, with anticipated full approval in early 2024.