Dugdemona River Photo Contest

Dugdemona River Photo Contest

 

Sponsored by Trailblazer Rural Development Institute,

Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District,

and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

 

Starting June 22^nd – July 15^th

 

The Dugdemona River holds much recreational and sentimental value for the people of North Louisiana. The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness for the water quality in the river.

According to the 2008 Louisiana Water Quality Integrated Report, the Dugdemona River, from Big Creek to Little River, was listed as impaired for Primary Contact Recreation (swimming), due to high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria. The suspected causes of this contamination are livestock and sewage discharges from nonexistent or broken septic systems. Fortunately, the 2010 Water Quality Report states that the river is no longer impaired.

A plan to preserve and protect this portion of the river is being written in order to keep this valuable resource from becoming polluted again. It is important that everyone within the Dugdemona River Watershed, takes action to ensure that the river remains clean and suitable for wildlife and human use.

Furthermore, the river is not just in potential danger from fecal contamination, but also contamination from litter, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, sediment (from erosion), and toxic household or industrial chemicals. What we do on land can be washed into waterways and pollute water. Again, it is critical that we are mindful of our activities and how they could potentially effect nearby water sources, including ground water.

The contest will start
June 22^nd and end on July 15^th. Photos submitted for this competition must feature the Dugdemona River. The 1^st place winner will receive an award of $75, 2^nd place will receive $50, and 3^rd place will receive $25. Winning pictures will be displayed in the paper, Pea Patch, and the Winn Parish Library and Courthouse.

The contest is open to anyone who can take a picture. Best photo wins; could be a picture of a polluted area of the river, include wildlife or people on the river, or be a snapshot of a perfectly scenic area - each photo will have its own story. The key is to be creative and make sure the river is in the picture. Also, the photo may not be digitally altered or be an old picture (has to be taken during the designated time of the contest). 8 X 10 entries should be framed or placed on matt board so they can be easily displayed. In addition, a copy of the submitted photo should be emailed to olivia@trailblazer.org or dugdswcd@bellsouth.net
if possible. Lastly, your name, phone number, address, and location where the picture was taken will need to be typed and included with your entry on a separate piece of paper.

Entries may be submitted to Vikkie Lafollette at the Dugdemona SWCD office located at 301 West Main Street, Suite 210 in Winnfield, La (room 210 above the Winn Parish Health Unit). Office hours are Monday-Wednesday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. They may also be mailed to Olivia Ward at 302 Reynolds Drive, Ruston, La 71270.

For more information about water quality and what you can do to help or to schedule a water quality presentation for your group or class, contact Olivia Ward at 318-255-3554 or olivia@trailblazer.org.