Turtlecreek Wetland Demonstration Project

The Turtlecreek Demonstration Wetland Project will create ~4.1 acres of wetland habitat on existing agricultural land north of Lebanon, Ohio. The ~42.3 acres of intercepted drainage currently flows overland to several existing swales before entering a grass-lined conveyance swale that runs parallel to residential homes on Hoffmann Avenue in Turtlecreek Township, Ohio. The swale passes through at least two sets of twin culverts before entering an unnamed tributary to Turtle Creek. The grass-lined swale does not provide adequate conveyance for the flows it receives, as evidenced by flooding of residential properties on Hoffmann Avenue and preliminary modeling of the existing system.

A primary benefit of this wetland system is treatment of agricultural stormwater runoff. Runoff from agricultural land is often high in nutrients and sediment due to exposed soil and fertilizer usage. This installation will improve water quality resulting in less nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment to the receiving stream. This wetland system will be designed to meet not only water quality reduction standards but will also help to throttle back erosive flows that would otherwise cause detriment to the receiving stream. By reducing peak flows leaving the wetland as compared to pre-project agricultural flows, the risk of flooding for the properties along Hoffmann Avenue will also be reduced. The wetland will be planted with a native seed mix as well as live stakes and bare root trees for canopy cover and habitat variability. Creation of the wetland will provide a complex variety of habitats for wildlife, including amphibians, birds, and macroinvertebrates.

A secondary benefit of this wetland project is that it will be the first installation of a practice in the ~230 acre Roxie Shaw Conservation Demonstration Park. Warren Co SWCD has partnered with Warren Co Park District to vision a public park that will install, foster, and demonstrate multiple conservation practices for public consumption. This park will be the first of its kind in Warren County. The park project intends to demonstrate conservation practices for various land uses and for a multitude of audiences. The wetlands associated with this application will be the first installation within the park and will showcase how engineers, developers, and homebuilders might use conservation practices to address stormwater issues and permit requirements while improving the ecosystem, riparian areas, nutrient loads, and soils of the area. Warren Co SWCD plans to bring this group of professions to the park to see this practice in action in hopes that they will use this type of practice in future designs. The park land surrounding the wetland is planned to remain in agriculture so that a multitude of conservation practices can be showcased to educate and inspire local agriculture producers to implement conservation on their land. If the homestead area of the property is acquired by the Park District, there are plans to install and demonstrate conservation practices for urban landowners. We believe that when the public can witness conservation in action that is thriving on the landscape, they are more inspired and willing to implement these practices on their own land. 

The vision for the Roxie Shaw Conservation Demonstration Park is to create a public park and collaborative educational space to create a passive park area, host a multitude of programs, and provide many types of educational outreach opportunities. Warren Co SWCD in partnership with Warren Co Parks plans to create informational public programs such as: trails/wetland walks, bird hikes, bat walks, and pond programs. Backyard conservation workshops such as: rain barrel, rain garden, bat house construction, bee keeping, composting, pollinator gardens, wildlife habitat, and integrated pest management are in the plans. We are excited to plan agricultural and urban best management workshops such as: cover crops, grassed waterways, high tunnels, buffer zones, regenerative practices, carbon sequestration, pond clinics, pervious pavement, and solar energy. The project team is also excited to offer youth programs such as: field trips, summer conservation camps, community service hours, FFA/4-H days, scout badge programs, and hands-on conservation projects. We hope to host events to our professional colleagues as well, such as: bio blitzes, Envirothon, professional development days, agriculture demos, and teacher workshops. This park will also be a place to educate the engineers, developers, and builders who work in the area as mentioned above. Once established, this park will have a multitude of educational signage so that passive education spaces are available to the public. 

Thirdly, this project will begin the process of riparian restoration of native species and creating a connected corridor for wildlife. Coordination with US Fish and Wildlife has begun for connective habitat areas of the park. Some woodland habitat already exists on the property and some areas have been identified that might lend itself to prairie habitat creation. These types of areas will be connected from the northern and eastern points of the property south to the wetland area. 

Partners of the project include the Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District, Warren County Park District, and Turtlecreek Township as well as potential future funding sources pending acceptance. These entities recognize that due to the large scale of the project, it can easily be incorporated onto the land in phases.