Crow Creek...let's get started!

Crow Creek

Water is one of our most important resources. Our bodies are more than 60% water. We need at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day in order to remain healthy. Water affects every aspect of our lives. Without it, our land suffers, our wildlife suffers, and we suffer. Effective and efficient management of our water resources is imperative as we live in a time of rapid depletion of natural resources.

Here in Jefferson county, 11,535 acres of land drain into a waterway known as Crow Creek. In fact, 60% of Fairfield drains into it. The old sewer and storm water infrastructure currently in place is obsolete and results in leaks and overflows. The wastewater treatment plant is already processing 1 million gallons a day and 5 million a day during the average rain event. With large rain events increasing in frequency, the treatment plant overflows several times a year. This along with the dumping of untreated water directly into Crow Creek, monocropping resulting in soil degradation and erosion, and the destruction of micro and macro habitats, a major system overhaul is needed in order to rectify the situation. 

It's no wonder that in a community like Fairfield where people are not afraid to act and jump in when change is needed, someone stepped up to the plate. The city is beginning a $40 million four-phase project to address the issue. The project involves expanding the waste-water treatment plant's processing and storage capacity, fixing leaky pipes in the system and adding two 60” mains running north to south on the eastern and western sides of town. In addition, the city received a $2.6 million state grant (SRF) to implement sustainable watershed management practices. $500,000 in grant money is going to Maharishi University of Management. Part of Crow Creek runs straight through campus. MUM students became aware of the situation and spent countless hours surveying Crow Creek and various sites around campus related to it. 

Seven "trouble" sites have been chosen as potential project sites. These sites were chosen due to their need for soil remediation, bioswales, infiltration basins, and other modifications to benefit the present state of water mitigation. As the current Intern/Student Liaison for the project, I will first be focusing on Site 3, an area in between Hildenbrand women's dorm and Verrill Hall. This area was formerly a part of the parking lot, but is basically a mud-pit right now. An infiltration basin and green space will be implemented here. Though we're still researching our best options, native plants will likely be used to assist with water absorption. While they will be functional, they will also be aesthetically pleasing. We've chosen to focus on this site first partially because of its practicality--the asphalt had already been removed--and partially because of its location at a higher elevation. 

Stay tuned for weekly updates on the project as we move through the next phases of planning, design, and implementation over the next year and a half!