Lake Conway Watershed Study Meeting
U.S. Army Reserve Training Facility
November 7, 2013
Members Attending:
Eric Cummings, University of Arkansas
James McCarty, University of Arkansas
Dr. Marty Matlock, University of Arkansas
Judy Watts, Metroplan
Richard Magee, Metroplan
Bill Beall, LCCAC
Smitty Burgess, LCCAC
Peggy Vernon, LCCA C
Barbara Himbough, LCCAC
Matt Schroeder, AGFC
Matt Horton, AGFC
Jack Johnson, LCCAC
Tom Eans, LCHOA
Larry Hill, LCHOA
Hayden Baldwin, LCHOA
KC Larson, UCA
Sally Entrekin, UCA
Reba Cargile, LCHOA
Raven Lawson, ADEQ
Grover House
Mary Alice House
Scott Grummer, City of Conway
Jim Houston
Introduction
Mr. Magee began the meeting with a brief introduction. A primary issue for this
meeting was to decide if this group would be a continuation of the advocacy group
that formed several years ago. It was decided that it would be better to start over as
a new entity. However, some of the original goals and organizing structure could
still be used. Mr. Magee said that Metroplan can provide the staff and support but
the group will decide the process and how to form the group. Following Mr. Magee’s
introduction, each attendee gave a brief introduction.
9-Element Plan Progress Presentation
Project Goals of the Lake Conway-Point Remove Watershed Study:
 9-Element Plan
 Urban Hydrologic Modelling and LID Plan for Conway
 LID Demonstration
The EPA 9-Element watershed plan has six steps but the presentation focused on
three:
 Build partnerships
 Characterize the watershed
 Set goals and identify solutions
Build Partnerships
The purpose of this meeting and subsequent ones will be to build partnerships
within the watershed. Stakeholders in the watershed, those who live, work, and
play within the watershed, will be the ones that make up the partners for any kind
of advocacy group that is formed.
Characterize the Watershed
Existing data for the watershed includes special water quality sampling reports, a
Lake Conway watershed model, and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report for
White Oak Creek. Other data includes USGS stations and ADEQ sampling.
Mr. Cummings demonstrated the impaired creeks on a map. Only White Oak Creek
and Stone Dam Creek are listed for impairments from non-point sources. White Oak
Creek is impaired by sediment from an unknown source, but as stated previously,
already has a TMDL developed. The TMDL is the action plan for mitigating the
sediment problem and will be included in the plan. Stone Dam Creek is listed for
Zinc from an unkown source and does not currently have a TMDL. The main object
of the 319 Program is to get non-point source impaired streams delisted off of the
303d list. The TMDL for White Oak Creek is the plan to improve water quality,
however, the plan will have to be implemented and monitored before it can be
removed from the 303d list. Federal funding should be available for activities like
this. A TMDL will need to be developed for Stone Dam Creek.
Dr. Matlock explained that the plan will make the Lake Conway Watershed eligible
for more funding. Building a citizens group is designed to protect the watershed as it
changes.
There are several data gaps that will need to be addressed by this group as it moves
forward with a watershed plan:
 Unknown source of sediment issue
 Lack of routine monitoring sites in portions of watershed
 Lack of flow data to determine loads
 Loads dominated by Arkansas River is out of control of HUC 8 and HUC 12
populations
Set Goals and Identify Solutions
Steps needed to obtain full 9-element plan
 Monitoring of TMDL effectiveness in White Oak Creek
 Projects in TMDL segments to address continued non-attainment of


standards
Cost estimates and timelines for remedial measures to eliminate
impairments
Full 9 Element Plan completion
o Timeframe: 2016 - 2017
o Cost $50 - $100k (does not necessarily include the cost of monitoring)
Watershed Modelling
Mr. McCarty presents information about watershed modeling. Two reasons to model
are to understand where to most efficiently use best management practices and to
predict how effective they will be for city planning and prioritizing.
SWMM Model
The first model being used is the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) a
rainfall runoff simulator developed by the EPA. SWMM is designed for urban
watersheds such as the Lake Conway HUC-12. Its capabilities include:
 Estimates runoff quantity and quality
 Can simulate various rainfall events
 Can model by subcatchments
 Can simulate effectiveness of LID technology at reducing runoff
 Provides information on infiltration, runoff, surface storage, ponding, and
where flooding appears
The SWMM results can simulate conditions of pre and post development conditions.
This is a standard EPA model. Most engineers are using something similar.
Preliminary SWMM results for the Lake Conway watershed
Mr. McCarty also demonstrated a SWMM model of a smaller area, a dirt lot paved
compared to paved with LID to forecast differences.
SUSTAIN Model
Another model that will be used to help model this watershed is the System for
Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis Integration Model or SUSTAIN. It has the
following capabilities:
 Model flow and pollution control measures to protect source waters and
meet water quality goals
 Develop, evaluate, and select optimal BMP combinations at various
watershed scales
 Measure BMP effectiveness at reducing runoff and pollutants
 Analyze cost-effective solutions
 Recommends BMP placement, type, and sizing
 SUSTAIN runs simulations of flow and pollutant transport for a wide range of
structural BMPs. This model is a cutting edge model and probably not used
by local civil engineers
Group Governance
Mr. Magee asks the group how they want to govern and pursue this project. Dr.
Matlock summarizes some other watershed groups. One watershed group has
expanded beyond watershed management into an educational group for the Illinois
River in Northwest Arkansas. The Beaver Watershed group is a small group that
protects the sediment and quality of the watershed. Most are structured as 501c3
but there have to be bylaws, officers, etc. The recommended track is to mirror the
Beaver Watershed group. Mr. Magee also recommends an informal group before
incorporating.
The committee for the protection of the lake was started in 2001 to protect the
sedimentation of the lake. The Lake Conway Citizens Advisory Group started from
this. This group should not have to pay their own money to fund this group, but it
could obtain money from other groups. ADEQ mentioned that the money for Lake
Conway Watershed is there but it cannot be distributed until the 9 Element Plan is
created. ADEQ can also step in and develop the watershed group.
The consensus is that a group is formalized and will look at the ADEQ materials.
LCHOA bylaws can be used as a template for the bylaws to be created with this
group. The group will need to identify common goals. Trust means understand (not
agreement). Communication is the problem. Distrust motivates people. Shared
values do exist with the group; the solutions are what we differ in.