About the Lower Big Blue River Project

 

The Lower Big Blue River Project focuses on protecting and improving water quality and soil health within the Lower Big Blue River Watershed. The Lower Big Blue River Project was initiated by the Shelby County SWCD with the purpose of generating interest in conservation while drawing attention to the condition of the waterbodies within the county boundaries. This project occurs in two phases: the Lower Big Blue River (more below) and Little Blue River.

Lower Big Blue River: In 2014, IDEM published a report noting high E. coli levels in the Lower Big Blue River Basin. Following this report, the Shelby County SWCD and partners launched the watershed planning project. This project now enters its second phase with a focus on implementing on-the-ground conservation practices and providing education and outreach about these practices and opportunities to engage with the Big Blue River.

The Lower Big Blue River drainage includes areas that drain to the Big Blue River mainstem west of the Rush-Shelby county line. The drainage includes the Town of Shirley and portions of the Cities of Shelbyville and Edinburgh and includes portions of Henry, Hancock, Rush, Shelby and Johnson Counties.

The Lower Big Blue River Watershed is primarily agricultural with 83%  of the 175 square mile watershed in row crop agriculture. A majority of the land is privately owned and in a corn-soybean rotation.

View the Lower Big Blue River Watershed

Read the Lower Big Blue River Watershed Management Page