Beaver Watershed Alliance Awarded $618,235 Grant to Advance Smart Growth and Source Water Protection in the Beaver Lake Watershed
October 29, 2025 —The Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA) has been awarded a $618,235 grant to continue advancing water protection and smart growth strategies across the Beaver Lake watershed. The grant includes $349,529 in federal funding from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with $268,706 in local matching support from community partners.
The new project, “Beaver Lake Watershed Flood Assessment, Smart Growth Implementation and Technical Assistance for Source Water Protection,” builds upon recommendations from the Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy to reduce nonpoint source sediment and nutrient pollution. The initiative will develop a watershed-scale model to identify flooding and stormwater “hot spots,” implement three nature-based Smart Growth projects, and provide technical assistance to local communities for riparian and streamside restoration.
Beaver Lake provides drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in Northwest Arkansas, but population growth and rapid urban development are placing increasing pressure on the watershed. As impervious surfaces—such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots—expand, stormwater runoff increases, carrying sediment and pollutants into streams and rivers. This runoff contributes to erosion, flooding, and declining water quality.
According to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, the population in Northwest Arkansas is projected to nearly double by 2045, intensifying the need for coordinated watershed management. “Flooding is becoming more frequent, and we need better tools to understand where and why it’s happening,” said Becky Roark, Executive Director of the Beaver Watershed Alliance. “Watershed systems—like riparian areas, floodplains, and wetlands—are critical infrastructure. This grant allows us to invest in data, restoration, and planning that protect our drinking water and natural resources.”
Research shows that when impervious cover exceeds 10 percent in a watershed, water quality degradation becomes measurable. Currently dominated by forest and agricultural lands, the Beaver Lake watershed is at a critical juncture as development accelerates. The new flood and stormwater model will fill critical data gaps and guide local governments, developers, and landowners in making informed decisions that balance growth with watershed protection.
Healthy riparian zones—vegetated areas along streams and rivers—are essential for filtering pollutants, slowing runoff, preventing erosion, and supporting aquatic life. Through this project, BWA will help communities restore and enhance these natural buffers to protect stream health and strengthen flood resilience.
“We’re grateful to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division and the U.S. EPA for their continued investment in our region,” Roark added. “Together with local partners, we’re building the tools and partnerships needed to ensure Beaver Lake remains a clean, reliable water source for generations to come.”
The Beaver Watershed Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining high-quality drinking water in Beaver Lake and improving water quality throughout its watershed. The Alliance brings together agricultural, conservation, recreation, business, and community stakeholders to promote voluntary, science-based solutions for watershed health. To learn more about Beaver Watershed Alliance programs, best management practices, or how to get involved in protecting your watershed, visit www.beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479-750-8007.
