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Maumee Valley RC&D
Coordinator: Scott Miller
Address: 06879 Evansport Rd.,
Suite E
Defiance, OH 43512
TEL.: (419) 784-3717
FAX: (419) 784-0643
Counties: Allen, Defiance,
Fulton, Hancock, Henry,
Lucas, Paulding, Putnam,
Van Wert, Williams
Click the map for a list of the Executive Council Officers.
 Mission:
To assist in the education and leadership for communities; to protect our
natural resources and improve economics and conservation conditions for the
enhancement of land, water, and life.
What is the Maumee Valley RC&D?
- A regional collation of County Commissioners, Soil and Water Conservation
Districts, Members at Large, and Maumee Conservancy District formed to improve
the economy and environment of the ten county area.
- An incorporated non profit organization with an IRS 501(c)3 determination.
- A program of the Department of Agriculture, which provides substantial
support in terms of staff, office and equipment.
What the Maumee Valley RC&D does:
Maumee Valley RC&D provides a vehicle for units of governments and community
organizations to network and combine efforts on regional priorities, share
resources, and accomplish grassroots projects. Council members initiate projects
and set priorities.
 Top
of Page
- Chairman: Clair Dudgeon, Van Wert County
- Vice-Chairman: Richard Kohls, Putnam County
- Secretary: Richard Gassman, Hancock County
- Treasurer: Bill Shininger, Fulton County
Drainage Water Management Project
The Maumee Valley RC & D is currently working with the USDA Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) from Columbus on a Drainage Water Management (DWM)
demonstration project. The purpose of the Drainage Water Management Project is
threefold.
- To demonstrate and evaluate the environmental effectiveness of DWM
technologies in four watersheds in Ohio.
- To demonstrate the usability of DWM and its effects on crop yields and
farm profitability in Ohio.
- To produce educational and technical materials for this project to share
with other agencies and landowners.
Throughout Ohio, farmers have used subsurface drainage systems for over 150
years. These systems help alleviate the high water table found in heavier soils
during the planting season. Subsurface drainage provides many environmental
benefits, such as increased water infiltration, lowered soil loss due to lowered
erosion rates, and improved crop yields.
Unfortunately, tile drainage is also responsible for contributing to nitrate
losses. The DWM is a best management practice (BMP) which is designed for
managing drainage outlet elevations to reduce nutrient transport from fields
during non growing times.
The project will involve the installation of 10 structures on 10 different farms
in four watersheds in Ohio. These structures will be installed adjacent to
control fields with conventional subsurface drainage. Landowner participants
will provide yearly field data such as cropping and management data in order to
assess farm profitability. The structures will record rainfall, water flow rates
and quantity of water from these sites. Water quality samples will be taken on a
weekly basis to measure nitrate. During high flow periods, these tests
will be taken more frequently. Both fields at each site will be planted with the
same corn hybrid or soybean variety, using the same tillage, pesticide and
herbicide rates. For more information, contact the Maumee Valley RC & D office
at 419-784-3717 or at mvrcd@defnet.com
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