Friday, October 21, 2011 8:00 am

NASHVILLE — You’ve asked the questions like what is a watershed, what watershed do I live in, and is the water clean in the stream near me. If you live in Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson counties you probably reside in the Stones River watershed and you now have the answers in an illustrative presentation. The Cumberland River Compact just released the fifth publication in the Watershed Water Quality Map series on the Stones River.

This educational map illustrates how your home is connected to the local streams, the Stones River, and answers: Can I swim in it? Can I fish in it? What can I do to protect my local waterways?

The map simplifies the State of Tennessee’s list of impaired waters based on data collected and reviewed from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The data is translated for the public to understand if streams are impacted on ecological and human health issues. The publication breaks the information down in an easy to follow format. First, identify the general location on the map where you live, work, or play to determine if there is a water quality problem. If there is concern match the symbol on the map to the legend below to learn about the concerns and then read the table for a description for the likely causes and sources of the impact.

The publication also goes beyond informing you about the water quality and recommends actions you can undertake to make an impact today. Everyone’s small efforts add up to a big difference for keeping our waters clean and healthy. You will also be provided with a list of contacts and websites to learn more and become engage in the solution.

Doug Hausken, Executive Director of the Cumberland River Compact, states “Our philosophy is that we can all become better stewards of our rivers and streams if we are armed with the right information. Our goal is to empower everyone with the knowledge to act to improve the health of our water.”

This publication could not be possible without the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers who provided the base map, the Compact’s Water Quality Advisory Committee who provided invaluable input to ensure technical accuracy, and our partners on the map, the stormwater program coordinators for LaVergne, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Rutherford County, and the Stones River Watershed Association. The map will be distributed through the local watershed groups and the stormwater programs. This is the fifth map in a series highlighting the water quality concerns throughout the 18,000 square mile drainage basin. Previous publications include the Red River, Harpeth River, Mid-Cumberland River, Caney Fork, South Fork, and the Collins River.

The Cumberland River Compact is a regional watershed association that works to improve water resources in the 18,000 square miles of the Cumberland River Basin. We improve water quality and quantity through education and by promoting cooperation among citizens, businesses, and agencies. We do this by assisting citizens in forming local watershed groups and by educating builders, developers, local officials, farmers, and homeowners in order to improve their stewardship of water. Our vision is to ensure clean, abundant water for future generations.

DOWNLOADS:

Stones River Watershed Map (larger image)

Stones River Watershed Guide

LOCAL CONTACTS TO OBTAIN A STONES RIVER WATERSHED MAP INCLUDE:

Laura Ganus
Watershed Program Director
Cumberland River Compact
615-469-5962

Katie Kline
Stormwater Coordinator
City of LaVernge
615-287-8658

Robert Haley
Stormwater Coordinator
City of Murfreesboro
615-848-3200

Todd Sullivan
Stormwater Coordinator
Rutherford County
615-898-7732

Greg Upham
Stormwater Coordinator
Town of Smyrna
615-355-5701

Randle Branch
President
Stones River Watershed Association
615-686-3602