Information Clearinghouse

Although the source of pollution in the Hinkson remains a mystery, the Hinkson itself has a fair amount of information written about it. Below are some links that offer information about the Hinkson:

RFP Pre-proposal Meeting Presentation

Information presented at the meeting held on December 11 can be accessed here. "NOTES" boxes in the presentation summarize the points mentioned in the presentation.

Sampling data

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitored the water quality of the impaired section of the Hinkson (downstream of I-70) over the last several years. Stormwater outfalls, as well as the Hinkson itself, were tested for a variety of contaminants such as metals, organic compounds, salt, turbidity, and others. Each year, the Hinkson failed to have the diversity of aquatic life needed to be consider a fully functioning stream, though no single contaminant was ever found to be at fault.

For a copy of the DNR Phase I study, click here.

For a copy of the DNR Phase II study, click here.

For a copy of the DNR Phase III study, click here.

Watershed Plan

The previous Hinkson grant developed a draft watershed management plan, which will serve as the base document for a local stakeholder committee to work with. The watershed plan identified the urbanized hydrology as the main contributor to the degraded condition of the Hinkson, identified a "hotspot" area in which to focus restoration efforts, and made recommendations for the restoration effort.

For a copy of the watershed management plan, click here.

For the table of contents for the plan, click here.

For a list of cited references for the plan, click here.

Ordinances

A stormwater ordinance and a stream buffer ordinance were both recently passed by the City of Columbia in 2007. Neither ordinance is retroactive, only new developments and redevelopments are affected. The stream buffer ordinance requires a setback of varying width, dependent upon the size of the stream. The stormwater ordinance requires a level of service approach be taken on applicable developments. Run-off from areas converted to impervious surface are ameliorated by various BMPs that must be installed to detain and treat the stormwater. Boone County is in the process of passing a stream buffer ordinance as well.

For a link to the City stormwater ordinances, click here.

Maps

The Hinkson drains roughly 88.5 square miles of land, all in Boone County. Hinkson Creek itself is 26 miles long, originating east of Hallsville and travelling southwest to join Perche Creek in southwest Columbia. Several large tributaries spill into the Hinkson within the Columbia area. Grindstone Creek and Hominy Branch originate from the east, Flat Branch and County House Branch drain the interior of Columbia, and Meredith Branch and Mill Creek drain the western portion of Columbia.

For an interactive mapping tool that allows you to view aerial photos, topographic maps, floodplains, and many more features, click here. (This will direct you to the Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems website, select 'Columbia' from the list to get you started.)

For a map of the subwatersheds of the Hinkson, click here.

For a map of the hotspot area of interest for our costshare program, click here.

Real Time Data

The USGS monitors the flow of the Hinkson just below the Providence Road bridge. The gage was put in place in the late 1960s, but was decommissioned for a decade, and was recently brought online again in 2007. To see the flow of the Hinkson and an archive of the Hinkson's flow, click here.

The weather station at MU's Sanborn Field (at Rollins and College Ave) has been recording weather data for many years. This data, or at least the last decade of data, is searchable via the MU website. Precipitation data, both daily and annual accumulation, soil temperature, air temperature, and other parameters, are available. Click here to go to this website.

Research

A graduate student at the University of Missouri conducted a study of attitudes of residents in the watershed about Hinkson Creek and other environmental issues, click here to see the study.