Darby Creek Watershed

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Species Facts:

Plant Species:
- Fowering tall larkspur
- Satin brome
- Prairie dropseed
- Purple coneflower
- Blazing star

Bird Species:
- Green heron
- Cooper's hawk
- Scarlet tanager
- Ruby-throated hummingbird

Mussel Species:
- Elephant ear
- Northern riffle shell
- Ridged pocketbook
- Round pigtoe
- Salamander mussel
- Deertoe

Fish Species:
- Scioto madtom
- Smallmouth bass
- Eastern sand darter
- Bluebreast darter
- Spotted darter
- Tippecanoe darter
- Rainbow darter
- River redhorse
- Longnose gar

Big and Little Darby Creeks

The Big and Little Darby Creeks represent one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest. The watershed - part of the larger Lower Scioto River Basin -encompasses 560 square miles.

In recognition of the river's distinct characteristics, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources classified 82 miles of the Big and Little Darby Creeks as State Scenic Rivers in 1984. The same areas received National Scenic River status in 1994.

Conservation Action: The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with more than sixty public agencies and private organizations, has developed a protection strategy for the watershed. It incorporates techniques such as voluntary landowner agreements, conservation easements, land acquisition, soil conservation programs, reforestation, and stream and wetland restoration. Overall the protection strategy allows for economic progress while protecting the water quality.

Recent efforts the Ohio Chapter has made include:

On April 26, 2008, the Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve opens to visitors.
Spring 2007 marks the beginning of an ambitious project to restore the headwaters of Big Darby Creek.
The purchase of 166 acres at the source of Big Darby Creek. We plan to restore floodplain wetlands there.
Working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on a freshwater mussel study to determine population trends of these sensitive species.
As a partner organization of the USDA's Scioto Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Conservany is playing an important role in protecting the watershed in which Big Darby Creek is a part of.
The Nature Conservancy strongly supports the Big Darby Accord.
Hellbranch Headwaters Restoration Project

Partners: More than sixty public agencies and private organizations including: Franklin County Metro Parks, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Darby Creek Association, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, The Ohio State University, local governments and private landowners.