Boone Watershed Partnership

Sixth Annual Recognition Event

July 10, 2001

Steele Creek Park

Bristol, TN

Mary Cain, 7th Grade Teacher at Holston Middle School receiving the education award.

Each six weeks, a water resources class consisting of 8-10 seventh grade students studies maps of the world, tri-state region, TVA region and the Boone Watershed. Water quality testing at nine locations on Wagner Creek is conducted to determine the health of the stream. Tests include DO, nitrates, phosphates, pH, temperature, turbidity, and fecal coliform levels. The students summarize the graphed data in Power Point and present it to other students and faculty. The student's level of knowledge and appreciation of the importance of clean water is greatly enhanced by this dedicated effort.

Nine hundred lineal feet of eroding shoreline on Steele Creek Park Lake was stabilized using coconut fiber rolls, boulder toe, geogrid-reinforced gravel fill, biodegradable erosion control mat, and turf reinforcement mat. Grass seed was sewn before the matting was placed. Various native seedlings were planted. This is the first year of a six year project funded by the City of Bristol, TN to stabilize the shoreline. Partnering with the City of Bristol were staff of TVA Resource Stewardship and Tennessee High School ecology students.

Russell Sutton receiving the Landowner Award.

Russell and Linda Sutton acquired their 153 acre mountain farm in Carter County in 1995 to raise thoroughbred horses. Pasture and hay are exceptionally important in grazing horses as well as eight to ten feeder cattle. A good forage management plan is followed by fertilizing annually according to soil test recommendations. About one hundred acres of the farm is in woodland and is managed like any other crop through selective timber cuts. Access roads have been reseeded with fescue and clover to minimize erosion and provide feeding areas for wildlife. After the 1998 flood, bank stabilization was required along Buck Creek. The Suttons were recognized as the Carter County Conservation Farm of the Year for 2001.

David Weakley, George Prewitt, Daymond Broyles and Russell Kinser of the Natural Resources Conservation Service receiving the Organization Award.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, offers landowners financial, technical and education assistance to implement conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance crop land, forest land, wetlands, grazing lands and wildlife habitat. The Carter, Sullivan and Washington County District Conservationists have implemented streambank stabilization projects, alternate livestock watering sources, fencing livestock out of streams and conducted educational activities to improve water quality in the Boone Watershed.

Lunch was prepared and served by Holston Ruritan Club.

Following the luncheon and awards presentation, Jim Hagerman, TVA and Kevin Hamed, Steele Creek Park Nature Center conducted a tour of the recently completed shoreline stabilization project.