Water Watch Week is a series of fun programs and events designed to:

• engage citizens in water oriented activities,
• highlight the importance of keeping our lakes, rivers and streams clean
• promote ways we can further this cause.

Promoting and protecting water quality is the goal of the many watershed organizations in the Ozarks, which have joined together with business and community partners to sponsor Water Watch Week. It is also a celebration of our success so far! It's also a week to get out and enjoy the water!

Fishing, Floating, Stream Clean-Ups, Hiking, Family Fun, Tours, Conferences, Learning, Wakeboard Competitions, Water Education, Green Building, Celebration of Springs, Paddling, Music & Food Celebrations

For information call 417-739-5001

Schedule of Events

Click each event for details and important links

• • June 8 – 9 "King of Wake World Cup" MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour
  • • World Sports and Marketing, presents the
      MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour
      June 8 - 9, 2012

       

      

      The Pro Wakeboard Tour is the most dominant, highest credibility professional wakeboard circuit in the world!

      Comprised of five nationally televised, cash prize events, the PWT showcases the world's top athletes from Europe, Australia, Canada, the US and more.

       

      Held at Moonshine Beach, 3778 Missouri 165, Branson, MO 65616

      Friday, June 8: Free Admission

      Junior Pro Men Quarterfinals, Pro Women Semifinals, Pro Men Qualifying

       

      Saturday, June 9: Tickets are required. www.kingofwake.com

      Pro Men Quarterfinals, Junior Pro Men Semifinals, Pro Men Semifinals, Pro Women Finals

      *******MAIN EVENT*******

      Pro Men Finals, Big Air Kicker Contest, Awards Ceremony-Onsite

       

      For more Information go to: http://wakeboardingmag.com/2012-pwt-3/

• • June 8 – 10 Celebrate the Springs, Eureka Springs
  • • Celebrate the Springs!
      June 8, 9, 10, 2012

       

      

      

      Friday, June 8

      Keels Creek Kick-Off Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
      Book signing by June Westphal and Kate Cooper
      3185 E. Van Buren, Eureka Springs. Tickets by mail.
      Send check for $20 per person to Eureka Springs Parks Springs Committee,
      532 Spring St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Tickets at door $25.

      Contact Paula Koch at 479-363-6033 paulakoch@gmail.com or
      Barbara Harmony at 479-253-9431 peace@ipa.net

       

      ---

       

      Saturday, June 9

      9:00-10:00 a.m.
      Spring to Spring Processional
      By downtown church choirs, (Crescent, Harding, Sweet, Basin)
      Led by Vicar Ben Helmer of St. James Episcopal Church
      
      10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
      Basin Park-*Create a Springs Shrine with Ralph “Mr. Shrine Wilson
      *Educational Exhibits from Springs Committee, Ozarks Water Watch, Kings River Watershed, Illinois Watershed, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Northwest Arkansas Land Trust
      *Caching the Springs-Geocaching with Lorri Carter and, Geocache Ambassadors (all day)
      *Book signing by June Westphal and Kate Cooper
      
      10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
      Upper Basin- Springs Tales with Jake Allen
      Sweet Spring- Harpist Beth Stockdell
      Harding Spring- Plein Air Painting with Julie Kahn Valentine
      Crescent Spring- Meet the Springs Gardener, DonE. Allen/Learn about
      historical preservation with the Preservation Society
      
      BASIN PARK , 2:00-2:30 p.m.
      JOHN TWO-HAWKS
      Mni Wakan-Sacred Water
      

      6:00-8:00 p.m.
      Second Saturday Gallery Stroll with Springs Theme
      Drumming at Basin with Angelo

       

      ---

       

      Sunday, June 10

      Basin Park- 9:00 a.m.
      Walking the Springs with photographer/naturalist Chris Fischer and geologist Jim Helwig
      (email springswalk@gmail.com to pre-register)
      Caching the Springs with Lorri Carter and Geocache Abassadors
      
      All Three Days - Early Springs Photos at Historical Museum
      
      View video of Blue Springs Heritage Center at 48 Spring St.

      
      Celebrate the Springs! by the Springs Committee of Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Commission with financial assistance from CAPC, Ozarks Water Watch, and the Eureka Springs Preservation Society.
      
      www.celebratethesprings.org http://ww.facebook.com/CelebrateTheSprings

• • June 9 - River Rescue Clean-Up and Dam Jam Downtown
  • • The 14th Annual River Rescue Cleanup and Dam Jam Downtown!
      June 9, 2012

       

      For current details and information go to   www.riverrescue.net

      River Rescue

      Check in is 8:00–9:00 a.m. (Pre-registration required.)
      Register at www.riverrescue.net or call 417-836-4847

      Fee is $12 per person. Children 12 and under are FREE!

      Fees include the “Dam Jam Downtown, River Rescue, Celebration” T-shirt, a delicious lunch and shuttling from and to your vehicle.

      Dam Jam Downtown, a River Rescue Celebration!

      The celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. with family activities, crawdad boil and informative booths for all ages.  Music begins at 4:00 p.m.

      Admission is FREE!

    • Beer Provided by Springfield Brewing Company and Wil Fischer Beverage Company

       

    • Enjoy performances from awesome local bands:
      • Big Dam Heroes
      • Uncle Fudd
      • The Shot Gun Brothers Band
      • Deep Fried Squirrel
      • Honky Suckle

      www.jamesriverbasin.com

• • June 9 - Family Fishing Fair
  • • Family Fishing Fair
      June 9, 2012

       

      

      Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
      Missouri Department of Conservation

      June 9, 2012

      Family Fishing Fair helps people learn about fish and fishing, and provides them with an opportunity to fish for bluegill and catfish in a stocked pond. Learning stations include tackle, setting up a pole, practice casting, macro-invertebrates, fish cleaning and cooking, and fish prints.

      Family Fishing Fair runs from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery (off Hwy. 165 next to Table Rock Dam)

      This event is FREE to the public and no RSVP is required.

      Contact info: 417-334-4865 (extension 0)
      Leah.Eden@mdc.mo.gov

• • June 10 Dynamic Earth's On-Water Demo Day
  • • Dynamic Earth's On-Water Demo Day
      June 10, 2012

       

      

      9:00am to 3:00pm

      Paddle the latest kayaks, participate in skills classes, and have some barbecue fun in the sun.

      This event will be held at the Boathouse at Lake Springfield

      For more information contact Tom Lampe
      417-877-8855 or tom@dynamicearth.net
      
      www.DynamicEarth.net

      This event will run from 9am to about 3pm on Sunday June 10th and will feature kayaks and paddle boards from Wilderness Systems, Hobie, Feel Free, and Surftech. Whether you’re looking for a new boat or just want a fun day on the water the On-Water Demo Day is for you. We will have free food, drinks, and music for all attendees.

      Instructional classes
      2012 Kayak Demos
      Paddle Demos
      Stand Up Paddle Board Classes and Demo Boards
      Barbecue and Refreshments
      Special Event Discounts

• • June 11 - Tour Jordan Creek Underground
  • • Tour of Jordan Creek Underground (Downtown Springfield)
      June 11, 2012

       

      

      9:00 to 11:00

      Tour of Jordan Creek Underground (Downtown Springfield)

      It’s an adventure similar to a cave tour. Once you have walked through the graffiti covered passages of the once pristine Jordan Creek, you will never see a storm-drain the same way. The tour offers opportunities to learn about the water-centric history of Springfield, to reflect on how we have treated waterways in the past, and think about how to treat them in the future.

      This event is FREE to the public.
      Registration is required. Please call the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks:

      417-866-1127
      www.watershedcommittee.org

• • June 11 - Tour the C.W. Titus Watershed Education Facility
  • • Tour the C.W. Titus Education Facility at the Watershed Center
      June 11, 2012

       

      

      4:00 to 6:00

      Tour the C.W. Titus Education Facility at the Watershed Center

      The Watershed Center is a demonstration of green practices like low impact development, green building, and stormwater best management practices. Take the tour to learn about practices we use, and get ideas for your own home or office.

      This event is FREE to the public.
      Registration is required. Please call the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks:

      417-866-1127
      www.watershedcommittee.org

• • June 12 - Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area Hike & Picnic
  • • Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area – Hike & Picnic
      June 12, 2012

       

      

      http://www.bransonworld.com/branson-attractions/detail/branson-lakeside-forest-wilderness-area.html

      11:00 – 1:00

      The Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is a 130-acre Branson city park featuring a variety of hiking trails, a scenic observation deck overlooking Lake Taneycomo, two miles of the Lake Taneycomo shoreline and 315 hand-lain stone steps that descend to the lake. This is a designated wilderness area, set aside to preserve a portion of the natural Ozarks.
      At 11:00 we’ll hike a flat trail to a 100-year old homestead with all buildings still standing. An area historian will provide the story of the area. Box lunch available for $8 with advance reservation. 

      Registration is Required.

      Contact Loretta Bishop:  lbishop@bransonmo.gov   or 417-243-2740

• • June 12 - Hike the Waterfall Trail
  • • Hike the Waterfall Trail
      June 12, 2012

       

      

      

       

      2:00 – 3:00

      This is a medium-difficulty, educational hike. The trail is located in the middle of Branson with the intent of connecting eventually to the Henning Conservation area west of Branson. The round trip distance is only 0.8 of a mile. This is a beautiful new trail, ending at a waterfall.

      This hike is FREE and no pre-registration is required.

      Directions:  Trailhead at northwest intersection of 2201 Roark Valley Road and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  Park on Roark Rd. and trail begins just behind guard station to Westgate Resort.

• • June 12 - Meadows Water Treatment Plant Tour, Branson
  • • Meadows Water Treatment Plant Tour
      June 12, 2012

       

      

      11:00 – 1:30

      The City of Branson currently has two (2) surface water treatment plants and seven (7) ground water wells, one of which serves the Branson RecPlex. In 2011 the annual water production from the City's drinking water facilities exceeded 1.3 billion gallons. 95% of the City of Branson's drinking water is taken from Lake Taneycomo. The Meadows Water Treatment Plant, the largest facility, was constructed in 1997 with a maximum capacity of 5 million gallons per day and expandable to 10 million gallons per day. On peak summer months the demand for water exceeds 6.5 million gallons per day while in the winter months the demand averages 2.8 million gallons per day. Branson is also home to the 1 million gallon Pacific Street water tower that also houses the Utilities and Public Works offices. The tower has 4 floors of office space with approximately 5600 sq ft.

      These tours are FREE to the public but Registration is required
      Contact Loretta Bishop at:
      lbishop@bransonmo.gov   or 417-243-2740

• • June 12 - Compton Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour, Branson
  • • Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
      June 12, 2012

       

      

      2:00 – 3:30

      The Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant was originally constructed in 1986 with a capacity of 2.8 MGD.  During the ‘boom” in the early 1990’s, the plant experienced its first expansion to 4.0 MGD, soon to follow with the third expansion in 1994 to 5.3 MGD.  Also that year the plant was one of Missouri’s first plants to add phosphorus removal because it discharges into one of Branson’s primary lakes, Lake Taneycomo.  Lake Taneycomo is known as a “fish hatchery” lake.  Branson has continued to grow over the past several years and the Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant has consistently maintained compliance with regulations.  This past year the Compton Drive Plant was updated to meet the current need for peak flow capacity.  After evaluating the complete facility of possible alternatives, a project was developed that allowed the plant’s peak hydraulic capacity to be significantly increased, but minimized the need for new expensive structures.  The flow improvements were needed to meet the current and future wet weather flow the plant receives.  With the recent upgrade the plant can now treat a peak flow of 10.6 million gallons per day before discharging into Lake Taneycomo.

      These tours are FREE to the public but Registration is required
      Contact Loretta Bishop at:
      lbishop@bransonmo.gov   or 417-243-2740

       

• • June 12 – 14 - Ozark Summit Conference
  • • Ozark Summit Conference
      June 12 - 14, 2012

       

      

      Join citizens and professionals from across the Ozarks to discuss the many facets and opportunities of habitat restoration on public and private lands.

      Registration is Required. http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/ozark_summit_2012.htm
      Draft Program:  http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/Docs/ozark_summit_2012_draft_program.pdf
      Contact: estroh@usgs.gov  573-441-2944

      Workshops:

      Restoration Funding
      Conservation Easements
      Restoration on Private and Working Lands

      Field Trips

      to Aquatic and Terrestrial Restoration Sites

      Technical Papers and Poster Sessions

      ….and much, much more

• • June 12 - 319 Non-Point Summit Reception
  • • 319 Non-Point Summit Reception
      June 12, 2012

       

       

      at the new Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center

      Tour 5:00-6:00 and Reception 6:00-8:00 pm

      

      

      
      This is a catered reception for attendees of the 319 Non-Point Summit
      Registration is required and is part of the conference registration.

      www.waterwatchweek.org
      
      Delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by:
      Chateau on the Lake and Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation

      Live Music by:
      Techs and the Roadies

      

      This guided tour will show the green features - many of them aimed at water conservation - of the Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center building and property.

• • June 13 - 319 Non-Point Summit: A Celebration of Success
  • • 319 Non-Point Summit: A Celebration of Success
      June 13, 2012

       

      
      Clean Water Success Stories of the DNR 319 Grant Program
      
      

      

       

      9:00 – 4:00

       

      This state-wide 319 Non-Point Summit will showcase 319 program successes and offer opportunities to discuss challenges to a statewide audience.

      Registration is required
      Click HERE to REGISTER

      
      Branson Convention Center

      The summit will consist of a social reception on June 12th at the Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center with printed and visual exhibits, and presentations to occur on June 13th at the Branson Convention Center. Presentations will be focused on showcasing successful 319 grant programs and publications that have occurred in different parts of the state. Attendees are encouraged to utilize, recreate, and implement these efforts in their local watershed without having to "recreate the wheel". Presenters will discuss lessons learned and offer suggestions to overcome challenges. The best of Missouri projects will be showcased.

• • June 14 - Natural Homes & Yards for LakeSmart Living

  • • June 14th

      10:00 to 3:00

       

       

      
      For Information Contact Gopala @ www.trlwq.org

      417-739-4100

       

• • June 15 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour, Springfield
  • • Tour the City of Springfield Waste Water Treatment Plant
      June 15
      9:00 – 10:00

       

      

      This event is free and open to the public
      
      RSVP is encouraged due to limit of 25 people.
      
      Contact Barbara Lucks: 417-864-2005
      
      blucks@springfieldmo.gov

      Take a tour of the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Springfield, an award-winning facility, with treatment capacity for over 60 million gallons of sewage per day, averaging flows of around 30 million gallons per day. The City of Springfield installed phosphorus removal capabilities over 2 years in advance of regulations and continues to be out in front of regulatory requirements in their role as steward of the water quality of the region. Tour will include the on-site lab, components of the treatment process and viewing of the treated effluent as it becomes Wilson Creek.

      www.springfieldmo.gov/cleanwater

• • June 16 - Tour the Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center
  • • Take a Guided Tour of the innovative LEED Certified
      Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center
      June 16, 2:00 – 3:00

       

      

      

      This tour is free and open to the public but RSVP is required
      Contact Gala at 417-334-6394
      www.ozarksriversheritage.com

      
      Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center

      The new Dewey Short Regional Visitor Center is a LEED certified building. These guided tours will show the green features - many of them aimed at water conservation - of the building and property.