This program’s primary goal is to effectively leverage significant concentrated public and private funding, committed partners and the wide range of voluntary conservation tools supported by landowners and the supply chain to improve water quality and critical habitat in a targeted, small watershed.

 

This project is focused in the Backes Lake watershed (HUC12) within the Sauk River watershed (HUC8) and will demonstrate that water quality and quantity can be improved using a suite of cost-effective agricultural practices, supported by the supply chain, and targeted edge-of-field and downstream conservation practices.

Partners will also demonstrate how the protection and restoration of remaining critical natural habitat areas within a watershed are essential complements to improved agricultural practices in achieving better water quality and groundwater recharge. Lessons learned will be used to address excess nutrient loss, sediment loading and other water quality issues throughout the Mississippi River Basin.