Lake Taneycomo 319 Grant
Protecting the Lake Taneycomo Watershed
This project, funded under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, is a three-year initiative to improve water quality by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in the Lake Taneycomo Watershed. Our work is guided by the community-developed Lake Taneycomo Watershed Management Plan (2024). This project focuses on the following activities:
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Why Lake Taneycomo?
Lake Taneycomo is a valuable resource to Southwest Missouri, providing drinking water, hydropower, fishing, and tourism. Its waters are impaired due to excess nutrients and sediment from the landscape. This means we must work together with a coordinated plan, local partnerships, and practical projects to achieve lasting improvements. We aim to improve water quality in the Lake Taneycomo Watershed while supporting the people who live there.
Our project is focused on four 4 main sub-watersheds in Lake Taneycomo: Upper Bull Creek, Fall Creek, Silver Creek, and Woods Fork.
Our Activities
Community Workshops
We will host four community workshops that provide practical tips for landowners and community members. Possible topics include forest and pasture best practices, streambank improvements, and urban stormwater management.
Have an Idea for a Workshop?
Let us know what you’d like to learn about by taking our Landowner Survey, or email us.
Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when workshops are posted.
Volunteer Events
We will host several volunteer cleanups and invasive species removal events. Get involved in your watershed community and make a positive difference for Lake Taneycomo!
Upcoming Volunteer Events:
Sept 25-27: The 26th Annual Missouri Shoreline Cleanup. Help us clean up the shorelines of Lake Taneycomo with your friends, family, or coworkers!
Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when future volunteer events are posted!
Landowner Cost-Share
Get supplemental funding for your land management projects!
The Cost-Share Program is a partnership between local landowners, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and H2Ozarks. Landowners typically begin by developing a conservation project with their local SWCD. H2Ozarks then provides supplemental cost-share funding to help fill funding gaps for projects that provide measurable water quality benefits to Lake Taneycomo.
Together, we fund conservation practices that help landowners meet their goals while reducing nutrient and sediment pollution to protect water quality.
Cost-Share FAQ
What kinds of projects can receive funding?
The following practices are eligible:
- Streambank Stabilization
- Nutrient Management
- Grazing System Water Distribution
- Grazing System Fence
- Grazing System Water Development
- Pest Management
- Stream Protection
All projects must be consistent with the goals of the Lake Taneycomo Nine-Element Watershed Management Plan and provide anticipated water quality benefits.
How does the funding work?
Reimbursement occurs after project completion, and is provided as a supplement to your SWCD’s cost-share assistance.
First, your SWCD (Taney County or Christian County) will determine your project’s eligibility for their program and calculate their cost-share offer.
Next, H2Ozarks reviews the project and may provide additional funding to help close the gap between the SWCD’s offer and your total project cost.
In no case can the combined public cost-share from your SWCD and H2Ozarks exceed 75% of estimated eligible project costs.
Because funding depends on available funds, program priorities, and your specific project, the amount H2Ozarks can offer varies — participation in an SWCD program does not guarantee H2Ozarks funding, and eligibility does not guarantee approval. Please contact us if you have questions.
Who can receive this funding?
To be considered for funding through this program, a project must:
- Be located within an eligible project area — the portions of Upper Bull Creek, Woods Fork, Silver Creek, or Fall Creek within Christian or Taney County, Missouri.
- Benefit water quality by putting in place one of the practices listed above (see “What Kind of Projects Can Receive Funding?”).
- Provide documentation necessary to support project review, inspection, and reimbursement.
Most projects H2Ozarks will consider are developed through a participating SWCD program. H2Ozarks reserves the right to consider other eligible project opportunities that further program goals and comply with applicable funding requirements.
I'm interested. What are my next steps?
1. Review Program Documents
Read the Program Description and Funding Eligibility document, which describes the program's purpose, eligible project areas, eligible project categories, and funding structure.
2. Contact Your Soil Water Conservation District
Because this program supplements SWCD funding, your first step is developing a project with the Soil and Water Conservation District serving your area: Taney County SWCD, or Christian County SWCD. Your SWCD will help determine your project's eligibility for their program and calculate their cost-share offer.
3. Ask SWCD To Submit Your Project to H2Ozarks
Once your project is developed and your SWCD has determined its cost-share amount, ask your SWCD to submit your project information to H2Ozarks for consideration of supplemental funding.
4. Funding Determination
H2Ozarks reviews projects for eligibility, anticipated water quality benefits, project readiness, and consistency with program goals and the Lake Taneycomo Watershed Management Plan. If approved, H2Ozarks will identify a maximum supplemental cost-share amount, and you'll be asked to sign the Project Overview and Cost-Share Allocation Form.
5. Complete Your Project
Get your project going! Implement your approved conservation practices, and save all records and supporting documentation related to the project.
6. Certification and Reimbursement
After your project is complete and inspected, your SWCD will certify completion using the Project Completion Certification and Reimbursement Form. Once H2Ozarks reviews and confirms all required documentation, we'll issue payment for your approved supplemental funding amount.
Contact:
Please contact our Program Manager, Ayla Grace, if you have any questions.
TaneycomoProject@h2ozarks.org
479-866-7220
Program Files:
Project Partners
The United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has provided partial funding for this project (G26-NPS-08) under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
