Baldwin County and the state of Alabama are teaming up on a new conservation initiative aimed at protecting one of the region’s most treasured waterways, the Magnolia River, by targeting erosion and pollution at its source.
Under a new agreement between the Baldwin County Commission and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), officials will implement a series of erosion control and stormwater management measures in the Weeks Creek watershed, a tributary that feeds directly into the Magnolia River. The project is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act Section 319(h) program, which supports state and local efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution — runoff that isn’t traced to a single source, such as sediment washed from unpaved roads or fertilizer carried off lawns and fields.
The Baldwin County Commission will act as the subrecipient of the cooperative agreement, overseeing work on the ground while ADEM administers the grant funding.
According to the commission, the work will include “stabilizing eroding unpaved roads and conveyances to mitigate nonpoint source pollution in the form of sediment and turbidity.” Officials said the Magnolia River watershed was chosen for the project because of both its ecological value and the protections it already carries under state law.
“In 2009, ADEM designated approximately 12.5 miles of Magnolia River as an Outstanding Alabama Water (OAW),” the commission said. “The river is classified for the uses of Swimming and Whole-Body Contact and Fish and Wildlife, and the OAW designation provides the highest level of protection under state regulations. This designation requires that water quality be maintained and protected from degradation, including impacts from nonpoint sources. Therefore, maintaining current high-water quality is a priority under both regulatory and programmatic objectives.”
The centerpiece of the project will be improvements to Norris and Hartung roads and the drainage systems that surround them. Plans call for stabilizing the eroding unpaved roads and their conveyances using gravel and check dams, while bioswales and native plantings will be installed to filter out sediment, nutrients and other stormwater pollutants before they can reach Weeks Creek.
ADEM officials say the goal is straightforward: cut down on the runoff and pollution that eventually make their way into the Magnolia River. “ADEM received a funding request via Baldwin County Commission for Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant funding for implementation of low impact development BMPs in the Weeks Creek watershed,” said M. Lynn Battle, chief of ADEM’s Office of External Affairs.
County officials framed the effort as a win for both the environment and the people who live along the waterway. “Implementation of targeted BMPs in the Magnolia River Watershed offer an opportunity to protect an ecologically significant waterbody, prevent impacts to adjacent landowner properties and improve water quality for the residents who use these natural resources,” the commission said.
The project also has the backing of several partner organizations, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which will provide technical and engineering assistance in selecting and installing the best management practices. The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, the Magnolia River Water Watch Group and the Town of Magnolia Springs are also involved in the effort.
Construction on the road and drainage improvements is expected to begin in early August, with the work slated for completion by Sept. 30.
For many Baldwin County residents, the Magnolia River is more than just a waterway to be managed — it’s a community gathering spot and a source of local pride. “The Baldwin County Commission is passionate about natural resource protection and considers the Magnolia River a unique watershed that provides numerous benefits to County and municipal residents,” the commission said. “Whether it is swimming in the Cold Hole, enjoying its beautiful scenery or the functional purpose of the river in managing stormwater, Magnolia River is a very special watershed.”