Watersheds

A watershed includes all the land that drains runoff into a common body of water.  The United States Geological Survey (USGS) identifies watersheds using Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs).  Most of Elkhart County is in the St. Joseph River Watershed that is USGS Cataloging Unit: 04050001 and drains into Lake Michigan .  A small portion of the southwest corner of the county is part of the Kankakee Watershed, USGS Cataloging Unit: 07120001.  The Elkhart River is a sub-watershed of the St. Joseph River Watershed.   The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has excellent information on watersheds:  Surf Your Watershed

Elkhart County Watersheds

All land in Elkhart County is a part of a watershed with at least one active watershed planning group.  The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District is actively involved in the steering committee for the Elkhart River , and affiliated with the Friends of the St. Joe.  Following is information on the watershed groups:

Elkhart River Alliance (ERA)

The Elkhart River Alliance (ERA) is a group of concerned citizens, landowners, organizations, businesses, and governments, who promote good stewardship to improve, preserve and protect he environmental, recreational and economic benefits of the Elkhart River watershed, though education, proper land use practices, and by showing respect and care for this valuable resource.  They function as a committee of the Elkhart River Restoration Association.  The ERRA has received a 319 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to work in the Elkhart River Watershed.  The ERA Executive Summary is available for viewing online.  Anyone interested in becoming involved in these efforts can contact nancy.brown@in.nacdnet.net.  General information can be found by contacting:

Elkhart River Alliance

Elkhart River Restoration Association

Friends of the St. Joe

The Friends of the St. Joe are in the process of reorganizing and finding funding to implement their watershed plan for the St. Joseph River ( Lake Michigan ).  Their mission is: to support the issues which concern the welfare of the St. Joseph River: The conservation of the water supply in the river and its watershed, the maintenance of the water quality of the river, evaluation of hydrological data of the river and its tributaries so that decisions and actions of the corporation may be conducive to the betterment of the river and to operate exclusively for education, historical, charitable, and scientific purposes.  A copy of their plan, and more information on their efforts, is available at: Friends of the St. Joe River

Kankakee Watershed

Information about the Kankakee Watershed is available from the following: