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The Switzerland County SWCD team: Cary Louderback Indian Creek Watershed Coordinator; John Schroer, supervisor; Cheryl Furnish, District Technician; Ken Lane, NRCS District Conservationist; and Katie Collier, District Coordinator.

A Quiet Leader / Good Partner

Bonnie Fancher is extremely proud of the work her students have done over the years on the Indian Creek Watershed. What she won't do is give proper credit to their inspiration.

testing turbity of waterRight: Students test the turbidy of the river. Photo courtesy of Switzerland Co. HS's Advanced Placement Environ-mental Science Class.

After spending just a short time with her on a beautiful spring day, it was easy to tell that she makes science come to life for her students in an exciting and meaningful way. So, it's no surprise that a class of advanced placement environ-mental science students were able to set in motion a movement to start the Indian Creek Watershed initiative nine years ago.

Bonnie FancherAn award-winning teacher, the Indiana Department of Education describes Bonnie Fancher as “a Scientist who 'left her fieldwork to pick up a piece of chalk.' A teacher who makes the eyes of a young student glow, she brings electricity and excitement to the classroom. Because of her efforts, Vevay weather and Ohio River data are online. Mrs. Fancher doesn't just lead the science department, she inspires us all. She has unique ways of instilling confidence in students, helping them see their strong points and bringing out their best.' . . . She and her students monitor the Switzerland County watershed and Ohio River water quality.”

Mrs. Fancher says “we really are going to make a difference and improve water quality here in Switzerland County and wherever the students go to live.”

The Switzerland County SWCD has a great partner in Mrs. Fancher and her students!

Rounding out the SWCD team

Rounding out the Switzerland County SWCD team is District Coordinator Katie Collier and District Technician Cheryl Furnish.

Katie Collier is a five-year member of the team having served previously as the Indian Creek watershed coordinator. A Switzerland County native, she is excited to see the growth in the District's work and scope.

Collier is responsible for the office finances, contracts for NRCS, program payments, file maintenance and landowner contracts. She also assists with field days and conservation/education programs and some technical work.

Cheryl Furnish has been with the SWCD approximately 18 months. She is respon-sible for all Rule 5 work. Additionally, she assists Ken Lane, NRCS District Conserva-tionist, with Tech Team planning and coordinating. Furnish also works on educational events and the District newsletter, organizing soil testing and the pasture and hay land planting.

She is working on her engineering approval through NRCS (do basic engineering things right now). Furnish enjoys the opportunity to work for the District.

“The board is very receptive to new opportunities for the District, as long as it is conservation-related,” she says. “This year we established a medicine collection day to keep medicine from being flushed into septic systems and contaminating the water. Our partners were CVS Pharmacy, the Sheriff's Department, Cooperative Extension Service, CEPAC and the Solid Waste District. We had good participation so we plan to do it again,” she adds.

 

 
The District Story

District Capacity

The Switzerland County SWCD . . .

This quaint small Ohio River county hosts a vibrant, take charge Soil and Water Conservation District

by DeeDee Sigler, IASWCD communications manger

historic home in VevayThe Switzerland County Web site says “All roads along the Ohio River Scenic Byway lead to Switzerland County/Vevay, a land of rich heritage, abundant opportunity and rural charm.”

And, I would agree. State Road 56 next to the Ohio River is truly a beautiful path to travel along the river into Vevay (pronounced Vee-vee), the county seat of Switzerland County. Swiss immigrants established the first successful U.S. commercial vineyard and winery there almost 200 years ago. Right: Historic home in Vevay, Indiana, Switzerland County.

Vevay is a town filled with historic homes, several of which are Bed & Breakfasts, antique shops, and a quaint downtown area where the USDA Service Center and SWCD Office is located. The county itself was organized in 1813. The “real” beauty in Switzerland County however, is the great work being done by the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Ken Lane, NRCS District Conservationist for Dearborn and Switzerland counties, says “I've been extremely impressed with Katie Collier and Cheryl Furnish and what they've accomplished here since I've been on board. Cary Louderback is new to the staff, but a great addition. The District also has a dedicated group of supervisors.”

Indian Creek Watershed logoIndian Creek Watershed Project

One of the major initiatives for the Switzerland County SWCD is the Indian Creek Watershed (ICW) Project, a 44,000-acre watershed located on the western side of the county. The ICW flows nearly 15 miles from its origin near Avonburg to the Ohio River. The watershed project is a partnership with the Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D. Cary Louderback is the watershed coordinator.

The project began in 2001 as a high school environmental science class study under the guidance of Bonnie Fancher, a science teacher at Switzerland County High School. Students' Indian Creek Watershedwater sampling showed a high level of E. coli bacteria taken from water bodies within the ICW. Their strong concern for the presence of E. coli in the water samples led students and Mrs. Fancher to the community for a solution. A truly grassroots partnership of high school students, the Switzerland County SWCD, County Health Department, Cooperative Extension Service and USDA NRCS offices created a task force to further discuss and study the concerns.

Right: Indian Creek in Switzerland County. Below: One of Mrs. Fancher's environmental science students takes a water sample. Photos courtesy of Switzerland County High School's Advanced Placement Environmental Science Class.

student taking water sampleJust two years later with the assistance of the Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D, a grant was finalized to develop the ICW management plan. Since then, the plan has been written and approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). A second grant was received in February 2009. This IDEM EPA 319 water quality grant will provide a two-year implementation phase for the watershed. This also allowed the ICW to hire Cary Louderback as the coordinator. Cary will oversee the implementation of best management practices designed to improve soil and water quality within the watershed within the cost-share phase of the grant. There is $143,000 specifically tagged for cost-share implementation.

“First on the agenda this spring and summer is IDEM's approval for the cost-share program so funds can be committed to BMPs and distributed to landowners,” says Louderback.

Constructed Wetlands: Another Water Quality Partnership

Another exciting project on the drawing board for the Switzerland County SWCD and the Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D is the wetland cells concept for a leach field. “It is a great project we’re working on,” says Lane.

“This is another partnership example. We also are working with the Switzerland County Health Department to apply for this grant. It has to be approved by the State Board of Health to install this type of constructed wetlands on private land,” Lane says. “It looks like a flower garden. The grant request is for $1.8 million and the county will put up a 50 percent match.”

wetlands map Basically a constructed wetlands simulates natural wastewater treatment systems, using flow beds to support water-loving plants. The roots of these plants help provide an aerobic environment to aggressively break down contaminants.

Constructed wetlands can offer an affordable solution to wastewater for sites with some of the following characteristics: warm climate, failed conventional absorption field, narrow or oddly-shaped lot, high water table, low soil percolation, high organic matter/suspended solids in wastewater and enough unshaded area. Because the systems are custom designed, they are applicable for all projects ranging from a one-bedroom house to a whole town.

“We're very excited about this possibility,” Lane adds.

South Laughery Creek logoSouth Laughery Creek Watershed

The South Laughery Creek Watershed (SLC) lies within four counties: Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland. The SWCDs established a steering committee of local landowners, farmers, businesses and other stakeholders to determine the focus of the project and future planning efforts.

There are cost-share funds available to help put conservation on the land. Funds from this project came from the second implementation phase an IDEM 319 grant.

The watershed consists of approximately 112,000 acres. It is 22 miles in length beginning in central Ripley County just below the Versailles State Park Lake and connects with the Ohio River just south of the city of Aurora. The breakdown includes:

  • Ripley Co with 36,184 ac (32%),
  • Dearborn Co 27,655 ac (25%),
  • Ohio Co 29,172 ac (26%) and
  • Switzerland Co. 19,064 ac (17%).

Kim Jolly is the education coordinator and Duane Drockelman is the cost-share coordinator.

Yes, all roads along the scenic Ohio River byway lead to vistas with breath-taking views of the mighty river. Thanks to the efforts of the Switzerland County SWCD, the water you look at and use for recreation is cleaner and will continue to be due to the efforts of this hard-working District (and all of our SWCDs). If you want to learn more about Switzerland County SWCD successes, contact the District at 812.427.3126, ext. 3.

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Switzerland County SWCD

District Supervisors  

  • Ron Cutter, Chair
  • Virgil McKay, Vice Chair
  • Jeanette Andrew 
  • David McCarty
  • John Schroer

District Staff