Aubrey Shepherd's focal point for display of Labrador retrievers, natural-resource conservation, English language word use, outdoor sports, recreational sports and athletics

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Construction of a new culvert and wing barriers to route the western arm of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River under Beechwood Avenue at its intersection with 18th Street in southwest Fayetteville, Arkansas, shows the damage that heavy machinery can do to a streambed in wet weather. Every increase in silt and other pollutants decreases the ability of the stream to maintain fish and other life, damaging the stream all the way to Beaver Lake, Northwest Arkansas' main source of drinking water. The wet, black soil in the photo appears typical of one of the types of absorbent or hydric soil in Northwest Arkansas wetland areas. Federal and state storm-water regulations are designed to protect such watersheds, but enforcement is difficult and best-management practices require careful planning and complete cooperation of developers. Training of all operators of heavy machinery in the reasons for the rules could help a great deal.

—January 2004