United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Alabama Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content





 

Improvements Visible in Dry Creek Watershed

By Mark A. Butler, Dry Creek Watershed Coordinator, Blount County, AL

Stream crossing on Tidwell farm.The Dry Creek Watershed is beginning to see some improvement thanks to local farmers like Jerry Tidwell.

Mr. Tidwell’s farm consists of three poultry houses and a small herd of beef cattle. The farm is located in the Five Points community in Blount County and has Dry Creek running through the middle of it.

Mr. Tidwell was one of the first producers to sign up for the 319 grant for Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect streams through the Blount County SWCD. After a farm visit from me and NRCS Soil Conservation Technician Jimmy Tucker, Mr. Tidwell decided to install some conservation practices to reduce soil erosion and protect the stream on his farm.  These practices included:

  • Heavy use area on Tidwell farm.Fencing - 1,381 feet of fencing was installed to stop erosion of the stream banks caused by cattle. The fencing also stopped the cattle from standing and polluting in the stream.
     
  • Stream Crossing - 1,344 square feet of stream crossing was installed to give the cattle and farm equipment a safe and environmentally friendly way to cross the stream.
     
  • Heavy Use Area - 4,200 square feet of heavy use area was installed to put six hay rings on to feed his cattle and reduce erosion.



< Back to Success Stories