Soil and Water reports $1.5M in dam restoration grant, expands outreach and watershed work
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Summary
The Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District told commissioners it expects $1.5 million from ODNR to remediate two low‑head dams in Oxford, held hundreds of outreach events this year and is seeking funding for more watershed projects.
Soil and Water officials told commissioners that the district was awarded an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant of about $1.5 million to restore two low‑head dams in Oxford and that planning and RFP work will begin this winter.
Grant and project details: The district said projects include dredging accumulated sediment behind the dams, adjusting topography where needed, and engineering to reduce downstream hazards. Officials described low‑head dams as sediment traps and noted restoration work often includes reshaping the riverbed and protecting aquatic habitat.
Outreach and education: District staff reported nearly 500 programs and partner events over the last year — including homeowner and HOA workshops, school visits, and water‑quality campaigns such as a pet‑waste “Pups in the Park” event. The district also ran a tree sale and has active watershed planning to unlock additional federal and state grant funding.
Funding and partnerships: Officials noted the district receives a mix of local appropriations, NRCS and state grants, and said recent county-funded increases improved match rates that pull in higher state funds. Commissioners were asked to continue supporting grant-readiness work and watershed planning so the district can leverage outside funding.
Ending: District staff said they will return with RFP and timing information for the dam projects and asked the commission to help with coordination where county permits or right‑of‑way are required.