War Eagle Creek Stewards Recognized at 20th Annual War Eagle Appreciation Day
Each year at the annual War Eagle Appreciation Day event held in Madison County, a War Eagle Creek Steward award is presented to exceptional landowners within the War Eagle Creek watershed who exemplify leadership in enabling conservation and water quality improvement projects. This year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event, three families were recognized for their efforts, collaboration, contributions, and commitment to keeping War Eagle Creek and its watershed a high-quality resource.
Jim Rollins, his son Joe Rollins, and the Rollins Family were recognized for their partnership to restore streambanks on their property. As a result of their commitment to addressing these water quality issues, the Alliance and several other partners were able to secure $5 million in funding to correct their streambank and help other farmers across the War Eagle watershed through a USDA RCPP program. An additional $4 million in funding was secured through the America the Beautiful grant program in which a portion of the funds will go to remove a problematic low water crossing and replace it with a span bridge at what locals call the “Gar Hole.” Thanks to the Rollins family’s willingness to participate in these projects, not only will they regain important farmlands but also improve water quality, fish passage, and restore streambanks along War Eagle.
Tim & Gayle Hargis, War Eagle Creek landowners, own property adjacent to the old Huntsville dam. With their help and stewardship, along with partners such as US Fish and Wildlife Fish Passage Crew, Arkansas Game and Fish, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and many other local and state groups, the derelict dam and two other stream barriers were removed last fall. The 160’ dam was once the City of Huntsville’s drinking water supply, until Beaver Lake went to provide drinking water in the 70’s. Over time, this dam began to deteriorate, becoming a pinch-point in the river, building up sediment, and causing streambank erosion upstream and downstream. The Hargis family plays an integral part of restoring the river in this section, which when restoration efforts are complete, will result in the reconnection of 434 miles of stream making a huge impact on water quality and aquatic passage in the War Eagle Creek watershed.
The third award was presented to Gary Box and Family. The Box family enabled another important barrier removal project upstream from the Huntsville dam. With their partnership, a low water crossing will be removed in conjunction with the other projects on War Eagle. This project will help address several issues, including access to farmlands during high-water levels, removing aquatic barrier so fish can migrate, and reducing sediment buildup and erosion issues. The Box family allowed partners to come to their property to study, survey, and share this part of the overall project, enabling large-scale conservation and collaboration work to be done.
This year’s awards were presented on June 1st, during War Eagle Appreciation Day, an annual community-wide event held in the War Eagle Creek watershed. The gathering included music, food, and activities focused on the environment and community. The War Eagle Stewardship awards promote awareness of the impact that landowners, residents, and other community members have on the watershed and recognizes those who have worked hard to protect the War Eagle Creek watershed in some way by making a significant contribution to the water quality of the War Eagle Creek.
The Beaver Watershed Alliance is a non-profit organization focused on maintaining high quality drinking water in Beaver Lake and improving water quality within the Beaver Lake Watershed. For more information about how you can help protect water quality, visit www.beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479-750-8007.
Photo: The Hargis Family (left) and Box Family (right). Photo Credit: Beaver Watershed Alliance.
Photo: The Hargis family after receiving the War Eagle Creek Steward Award. Photo Credit: William Armacost, Arkansas Tourism.
Photo: The Box family after receiving the War Eagle Creek Steward Award. Photo Credit: Beaver Watershed Alliance.
