Watershed Committee of the Ozarks

Agency Overview

Mission

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to sustain and improve the water resources of Springfield and Greene County through education and effective management of the region’s watersheds

Overview

The Watershed Committee of the Ozarks is dedicated to improving and preserving Springfield and Greene County water supplies for future generations. The Watershed Committee participates in Water Sampling and Testing, Water Quality Monitoring Education, Education and Outreach and created the Watershed Center at Valley Water Mill Park.

History of the Watershed Committee

In 1983, the Chair of the Board of Public Utilities, N. L. "Mac" McCartney, sent a memo to Springfield Mayor Harry Strawn. The memo began: "With your concurrence, I have appointed an ad hoc task force to develop a program for the protection of surface and subsurface watersheds which supply Springfield and the surrounding area with drinking water." It was a prophetic statement and a visionary approach. Development was encroaching into the drinking watersheds and officials worried about whether public policies and programs would effectively protect our precious drinking water supplies. After 36 years, the mission of WCO remains relavent and vital to the community. 

Projects from Watershed Committee of the Ozarks