The Butler Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently announced that they have acquired $1.5 million, which will be put toward improving the aquatic conditions of Four Mile Creek in Oxford.

The funding is from the ODNR H2Ohio Rivers Program according to a press release from SWCD. Its main goal is to reduce watershed impairments including, “…low-head dams and infrastructure obstructions,” which cause problems in the habitat conditions of the creek’s fish populations.

In collaboration with Miami University, the City of Oxford, Three Valley

 Conservation Trust and Environmental Solutions AQ, the project has a series of steps to reach its goal as outlined in the release. These include increasing water quality, mitigating risks from erosion, and restoring natural stream functions.

“This is a win/win/win project – where wildlife, water quality, and local stakeholders all benefit,” said Jonathan Horn of the ODNR H2Ohio Rivers Program in the press release.

The project is expected to start sometime in the fall or winter of 2026. According to the release, modifications will be made along the length of Four Mile Creek, especially at Miami’s Equestrian Center and involving a full removal of the Rudder Preserve Dam.

– Reece Hollowell