Water Quality in the Buffalo River Watershed

ASUMH Student Stream Team and Friends of the Rivers Co-hosts Buffalo River Water Quality program
•    Thursday, March 12;  Program begins at 5:00 p.m.  
•    Lite refreshments and Sign In – 4:00
•    McMullin Lecture Hall in Dryer Hall.

Aquatic Ecologist, Faron Usery, with the National Park Service will present current findings concerning habitat and water quality of the Buffalo River watershed.  Usery holds a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and an M.S. in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas in 2001. He has been with the Park Service for 15 years focusing on hydraulic and aquatic ecology.

Buffalo National River (BNR) was created in 1972, “…for the benefit and enjoyment of present and further generations…”  Thousands of visitors come to the park each year to enjoy canoeing, swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities.  Economic benefit of BNR to the regional economy is considerable with over $45 million per year added to the regional economy.
In 2013, Arkansas’ largest swine CAFO was permitted on Big Creek, a tributary to Buffalo River.  Usery will report on monitoring that began in early 2013 to characterize Escherichia coli concentrations in 3 sites; Big Creek and Buffalo River above and below the confluence.  In October 2014, 2 other sites were added to address regional effects; Little Buffalo and Upper Buffalo Wilderness.    In spring of 2014, Big Creek and Buffalo River (below confluence) exceeded recreation contact limits for 2 months.  
Friends, The Hellbenders, and faculty advisor, Dr. Eddie Dry work to promote the objectives of Education, Advocacy and Stewardship.   “Our goal is to provide everyone with good science so they can determine and conduct their own “risk analysis” said, Dr. Dry.

According to Mr. Usery – “The American “experiment” of national parks will fail unless there is a revival for the love of the natural and an understanding of old-fashioned land ethics for us all, especially our children.”

For more information call 870-430-5777. Or write riverfriend@friendsoftherivers.org