MC-SWCD Pathways to Water Quality

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Visit the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit at the Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair has a continually changing exhibit called the "Pathway to Water Quality." This demonstration site is a one acre model watershed located on the northeast side of the Fairgrounds and is free to fair-goers during the State Fair. This site is a shady oasis to enjoy getting away from the usual high temperatures of fair time. The exhibit is sponsored by "Indiana's Conservation Partners" including local Soil & Water Conservation Districts (including the Marion County SWCD), Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Persons touring the exhibit will see conservation practices in urban sites, a woodland, highly erodeable land, gently rolling farms, wildlife habitat, a wetland (natural and constructed), a special youth education area and other areas.

The watershed model demonstrates how proper management practices can protect soil & water resources. There is useful information for a variety of land users: home owners, farmers, ranchers, home builders/construction companies, etc. At the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit, you will see examples of conservation on the land.

Everyone lives in a watershed, but few realize that their activities affect everyone else downstream. It's important that people take care of their watershed because mismanagement can be expensive and sometimes impossible to repair. In the special Youth Education Area, there will be hands-on activities for youngsters.

Past Year site views and topics include the following examples


Come one, come all!	Subdivision Construction	Demonstration farm

The "Pathway to Water Quality" was one of the most popular attractions last year. As you and your family walk the fair this year, please stop in and check it out. See you at the fair!


Wetland	Soils information	Retention pond

Pathway History
This exhibit was originally designed and built by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, which includes: local soil & water conservation districts, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The exhibit got its start when a member of the Indiana State Fair Board visited the 1992 Farm Progress Show and thought a similar display could be done as a permanent attraction on the fairgrounds. Volunteers came from all over the state to help construct "Pathways."

Come this year and see the changes since last year-

especially the new porous pavement!

Grazing Land Demonstration

Cabin with drinking water

Coming in 2005: Porous Pavement Demonstration!
Each year the exhibit is updated with new demonstrations areas and topics. One of this year's new features will include a demonstration of porous concrete pavement. Use of this material in such areas as commercial and residential development sites helps reduce peak rain water runoff to soak into the soil where if falls, instead of hitting solid impervious material and running off the site. This helps improve water quality and drainage problems in those areas.

For more information about the Pathway to Water Quality Exhibit
contact us at:
Marion Count Soil & Water
Conservation District
6960 S. Gray Rd., Suite C
Indianapolis, IN 46237

Phone: 317-780-1765
Fax: 317-780-7849

Email District: MarionCo-SWCD

Website at: www.marionswcd.org

Web Page Last Updated 6-29-2005