706.754.9382
P.O. Box 1901
Clarkesville, Georgia 30523

 

Home | About the SRWA | Contact SRWA

 
 the SRWA
  About Us
  Events
  Mission
  News & Articles
  Projects
  Staff & Board
 the Soque River
  Animals
  Geography
  Habersham County
  History
  Recreation
  Sections & Tributaries
  Wildflowers
 support SRWA
  Association Business Members
  Donations & Memberships
  Online Shop
 online Resources
  Links
 the Watershed Partnership
  Presentations
  Protection, Plan, Policy
  Watershed Assessment



DonateNow

Soque River Watershed Partnership

Water resources are vital to the long term success and sustainable growth of Habersham County and associated localities.  Residents of our area depend on the Soque River and its tributaries to serve as water supplies and waste receiving streams for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.  The health of the Soque watershed is vital to the future character of our economy and the quality of our lives. 

Segments of the river have recently been listed as impaired due to nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution (primarily sedimentation and the presence of fecal coliform bacteria).  All streams and rivers derive their characteristics from the lands from which they drain (cumulatively referred to as the watershed).  In an effort to better understand the sources and nature of NPS pollution in our watershed, the Soque River Watershed Partnership (SRWP) seeks to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the biological, chemical, and physical state of the Soque
River system.  The primary objectives of this assessment are to identify NPS inputs in the watershed and use the data collected to develop a management strategy that will meet the needs of the Soque community while improving the overall quality of the land and water on which we all rely. 

To achieve these goals, communication and cooperation among the watershed partners and local residents are essential.  All who live, work, or play in the watershed are stakeholders in this process.  Each member of the community is in fact, a member of this partnership..  The challenge is to put aside all preconceptions and possible misconceptions about causes and sources of NPS pollution and develop a scientific framework upon which to address current and future demands on our resource.

How do we get there from here?
There are three primary goals for this watershed partnership effort:

  1. To develop a clear scientific understanding of the relative health of the Soque River Watershed.

  2. To deliver this understanding to the watershed community and to build relationships that foster collaboration, communication and cooperation.

  3. To build consensus on methods to restore degraded sections and to preserve the health of non-degraded sections of the Soque Basin.

To accomplish these goals, the partnership will call on a wealth of expertise and experience from each of its partner groups and from a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This TAC consisting of leading research scientists across the state of Georgia will assist in the design of sampling protocols used to formulate a comprehensive monitoring plan. This monitoring plan will be based on the best and most current scientific methodology available.

We need your help
As a partner organization in the Soque River Watershed Partnership you are encouraged to appoint an individual to the partnership’s steering committee. This committee is the backbone of our partnership and will meet quarterly to review progress and recommend actions necessary to successfully meet our goals.  Each organization’s steering committee representative will be kept up-to-date and asked to contribute their unique knowledge, guidance and assistance towards the Partnership’s efforts. The steering committee will serve as an example to the broader community of the type of collaboration and cooperation achievable in planning for a sustainable watershed.  Examples of specific ways you may help include; serving as liaisons between members of the community (e.g. property owners, businesses) and the Watershed Coordinator, identifying potential sample sites within locality boundaries, providing access to records necessary to make informed decisions, encouraging the public to participate in the process, “selling” the benefits of the project to all citizens, and working together to address unforeseen challenges.

What to expect
The success of this partnership begins with scientifically defensible methods that gather and analyze data for the purpose of improving the health of the watershed.  Ample opportunities will exist for public input and airing of concerns.  The Watershed Coordinator will be available and accessible to promote the project and address issues as they arise. Discussions that promote cooperation and partnership will replace tendencies towards blame and finger pointing.   Public education and transparency of all elements of the project are vital to building a consensus in the community for the protection and enhancement of our most valuable natural resource.

Project Benefits
The development of a deeper understanding of the Soque

Watershed Basin for use in long-term stewardship and planning efforts.

Each of the cities managing a public drinking water supply will be better equipped to meet state requirements for source water assessments. Data collected during this project should dramatically decrease the expense for completing source water assessments.

Organizations responsible for planning, including each of the localities, the US Forest Service and the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center, will possess more accurate information upon which to base various resource management decisions.

Public outreach to inform and educate members of the community about the importance of the protection and wise use of local water resources.

The development of a strong partnership committed to stewardship and conservation of local water resources. This partnership will continue to seek grants that will allow for resource protection, restoration efforts, and the effective management of threats identified during the assessment.

- Back To Top -









home | about SRWA | contact SRWA | the SRWA | the Soque River | support SRWA

Soque River Watershed Association
PO Box 1901 - Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-7872
srwa@soque.org