Helping Put Conservation on the LandScape

Hawk Creek Watershed

Project Work Area

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funding areas

To Contact us by mail:

Hawk Creek Watershed Project

Renville County Courthouse

500 East DePue Avenue

Olivia, MN 56277

Or Call:

Phone: 320-523-3666

Fax:      320-523-3668

The Hawk Creek Watershed Project work area covers 623,424 acres (974.1 square miles) of land and is located in parts of Renville, Chippewa, and Kandiyohi Counties.  It is unique among the other major watersheds of the Minnesota River in that it is  comprised of a main tributary (Hawk Creek) and several other streams that flow directly into the Minnesota River. 

The Hawk Creek Watershed Project includes several smaller streams including Chetomba, Beaver, Sacred Heart, Middle, Timm’s, Brafee’s, Smith and Palmer Creeks.  Hawk Creek originates at Eagle Lake north of Willmar, MN and flows approximately 65 miles to its mouth at the Minnesota River near Granite Falls, MN.

From 1999 to 2001 a diagnostic study was conducted to determine the pollution levels and to see if there was a need for attention. The study showed excessive levels of sediment, phosphorus, and nitrates.  Bacteria is also a concern in some reaches of the watershed.  These pollutants come from a wide variety of sources including: stormwater run-off, agricultural land run-off, wastewater treatment plants, livestock  manure, failing septic systems, industrial and processing plants. 

Another issue is water quantity.  Frequent flooding occurs all too often.  “Everyone” who lives, works, plays, or passes through the watershed has an impact.  We are all a part of the problem and we are all a part of the solution! 

 

The Hawk Creek Watershed Project works very closely with the SWCD/NRCS offices in the three counties.  We work together by spreading out resources to complete conservation projects through Best Management Practices (BMPs).  The goal is to provide financial incentives to landowners to correct and prevent pollution problems through cost-share programs to make these projects cost-effective and reasonable.  The projects approved by a Local Work Group are cost-shared up to 75%. 

 

Click on the links below to learn more…