Bonne Femme Watershed Project

The Greater Bonne Femme Watershed, Watershed Based Plan was approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency on June 12, 2023.

The full text of the plan and its appendices are provided below.

• Greater Bonne Femme Watershed Based Plan
• Greater Bonne Femme Watershed Based Plan Appendices

We will be seeking public input for the implementation phase of the Watershed Based Plan. Please stay tuned for updates to this website as we move forward with plan implementation.

Explore the Greater Bonne Femme Watershed

The Greater Bonne Femme Watershed encompasses an area from South Columbia to North Ashland to the Missouri River. The watershed is home to many notable features, including Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Three Creeks Conservation Area, streams, and caves. Please watch the video below to learn more!

 

Mission

Use watershed planning as a tool to prevent further water resources degradation in order to maintain their long-term quality within the Bonne Femme watershed.

 

Vision

In the year 2030, we envision a watershed where quality of life and economic vitality are fostered by maintaining or improving the current conditions of the water resources, having a mix of land uses and development types, and maintaining thriving agricultural activities.

 

Project Goals

1. Help Boone County, and the Cities of Ashland and Columbia, adopt policies and procedures that will protect the streams in the watershed;
2. Assist developers and builders in adopting best management practices (BMPs) that will help protect the streams’ integrity;
3. Provide cost-share assistance for land owners in the watersheds to implement practices that will protect and restore the streams.

In June of 2003, Boone County was awarded a 4-year grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. A multi-faceted approach is being taken to address various stream-related issues in the Bonne Femme watershed. For more info, click here.