The East Fork Watershed, in southwestern Ohio, has been a site for watershed management research including a stream network monitoring program and modeling studies. The East Fork of the Little Miami River is the focal watershed. It is a significant tributary to the Little Miami River, which flows to the main stem of the Ohio River. The East Fork services as a model system for considering watershed management options.

EPA's research in the East Fork of the Little Miami River Watershed takes a whole system approach to determining how to best manage water quality in this large multi-use watershed. The success of the research relies on effective partnerships with other stakeholders of water quality in the system. To better serve the watershed, stakeholders from local, state, and federal agencies responsible for water quality protection and management established the East Fork Watershed Cooperative (EFWCoop). The EFWCoop includes affiliates from EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ohio EPA, local soil and water conservation districts, and utility operators and water quality protection offices.

Resources:

• Science Matters Newsletter (2018): Local Partnership Works to Improve Watershed Health
• EFWCoop Meeting (2017): Local Representatives Briefing
• EFWCoop Workshop (2016): Toward Better System-Scale Watershed Management
• East Fork Watershed ProgramsExit