Ohio’s Pilot Watershed Project
On the Ground with Innovation: Touring Ohio’s Pilot Watershed Project
On Thursday, October 23, the Ohio Water Partnership (OWP), in collaboration with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, hosted a tour of the Ohio Pilot Watershed Project, a first of its kind demonstration site showcasing how innovative agricultural and wetland practices can mitigate phosphorus runoff in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
The pilot watershed functions as a living laboratory on active Ohio farms, demonstrating that large scale adoption of conservation and nutrient management practices can meaningfully reduce phosphorus runoff, the leading contributor to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The initiative is guided by experts from The Ohio State University, Ohio Farm Bureau, USDA, Hardin County Soil & Water Conservation District, Lake Erie Foundation, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The tour began in Dunkirk, Ohio, where participants observed new phosphorus filtration systems designed to capture and remove nutrients from farm field runoff. From there, the group traveled to a wetland construction site, where they saw firsthand how wetlands can naturally filter nutrients and improve downstream water quality. The final stop focused on edge of field monitoring, where researchers shared data showing how different farming practices impact nutrient loss and water quality outcomes across the watershed.
“This work demonstrates that sound practices, including those funded by the H2Ohio program, are making the measured progress to hit the phosphorus reduction goals needed to protect Lake Erie and all of Ohio’s waterways,” said Jim Samuel, Executive Director of the Ohio Water Partnership. “These goals are achievable within a reasonable amount of time.”
This project represents an important step forward in advancing Ohio’s leadership on water quality and sustainable agriculture. By uniting farmers, researchers, and conservation partners, the effort demonstrates that science based solutions and voluntary agricultural practices can make a measurable difference in reducing nutrient runoff. Support from the Ohio General Assembly and Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative has been instrumental in funding and scaling these innovative practices, ensuring that Ohio continues to protect its waterways, strengthen farm resilience, and safeguard the future of Lake Erie.
