Water is one of Steuben County’s most valuable natural resources.
With more than 101 lakes spread across the county, we are fortunate to have a great deal of shoreline, which creates attractive areas for housing. The desire for people to be near lakes, along with the associated rise in lakefront development, has resulted in an increased concern related to human activities’ effects on water quality.
Local water quality concerns:
One major concern is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium that, when detected in water at high levels, is indicative of fecal contamination from warm-blooded mammals, such as humans. High levels of E. coli can present a direct public health threat as it may cause serious illness in people.
Additional concerns about water quality include nutrient and sediment levels in lakes and streams. Excessive nutrients can lead to harmful algal blooms and beach closures, while high inputs of sediments can adversely affect aquatic life and can lead to increased maintenance costs associated with cleaning out regulated drains. Sources of E. coli, nutrients, and sediments include stormwater runoff, failing or aging septic systems, and agricultural runoff.
History of water quality monitoring efforts in Steuben County:
Steuben County Lakes Council (SCLC) – Water Quality Testing
Beginning in the early 2000s, the Steuben County Lakes Council (SCLC) responded to these concerns by supporting annual summer water quality monitoring of over 60 sites that include major lakes and some tributaries flowing into and out of various lakes in Steuben County. One of its partner agencies, The City of Angola/Trine University MS4 (COA/TU MS4) program, monitors several sites along tributaries and regulated drains that flow through industrial and urbanized areas of Angola, then outfall into the lakes monitored by the SCLC program. The data collected revealed the extent of the E. coli issue in the county, but the data provided limited insight into the cause(s) of the problem.
Steuben County Strategic Water Quality Monitoring Program (SCSWQMP)
In response to the need for more robust water quality data, vested stakeholders from the SCLC, COA/TU MS4, Steuben County Health Department (HD), Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), St. Joseph River Basin Commission (SJRBC), Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), AmeriCorps, and Trine University formed a committee with the goal to initiate a strategic water quality monitoring program in June 2023 to identify the sources of E. coli, nutrients, and sediment in surface waters. Each of these organizations share a strong sense of stewardship to protect water resources not just for Steuben County but for communities living downstream.
It is the committee’s goal to establish a sustainable, long-term water quality monitoring program. It is a common goal among many county/state agencies and organizations to achieve high quality, safe water conditions for the lakes and streams throughout the county. Each partner in this project has agreed to provide funding and/or in-kind contributions. Information on this program will be shared in a meaningful way so that the public are made aware of the ongoing efforts to protect water quality.
The Steuben County SWCD would like to thank the committee and all contributing partners, including the Pleasant Township Trustee, 101 Lakes Trust, Inc., and the Steuben County Community Foundation for their project support.
Citizen Volunteers
In addition to the groups and agencies working to develop long-term water quality datasets in Steuben County, citizen volunteers also play an important role in monitoring local waterways. Through participation in the statewide Hoosier Riverwatch program, trained volunteers collect water quality information from streams, rivers, and lakes using standardized citizen science methods. These efforts help expand the amount of data available, increase public awareness of water resource issues, and support local conservation and education initiatives. To encourage community involvement, water quality testing kits are available for checkout through the Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), providing residents, students, and community groups with the opportunity to participate directly in monitoring and protecting the county’s valuable water resources.