The Progress of H2Ohio

Recent data indicates that efforts to help farmers reduce phosphorus runoff, and ultimately improve the water quality of Lake Erie, are showing strong signs of success.

Published: Saturday, January 10, 2026 9:00 am
By: Matt Fisher

Ten years ago, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program was launched to guide farmers in applying nutrients more responsibly — using the right source, at the right rate, at the right time and place. Six years ago, Governor DeWine introduced the H2Ohio initiative, which, among many other components, outlined ten recommended farming practices aimed at improving soil health and reducing phosphorus loss.

Together, these programs have contributed to a new analysis showing a 6 to 10% reduction in Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) at the mouth of the Maumee River over the past six years. DRP is the form of phosphorus that fuels harmful algal blooms. Scientists have discussed this downward trend for several years, but a recent analysis conducted by the U.S. EPA and the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University used flow-normalized data to clarify the results. Their findings confirm that the year 2019 was unusual due to extremely heavy rainfall in late 2018 and early 2019, which limited crop planting and reduced fertilizer application.

In addition to the positive developments in the Maumee River, even more encouraging results are emerging from a pilot project in the Shallow Run subwatershed in Hardin County. Funded primarily through H2Ohio and launched during the 2023 planting season, this project aimed to rapidly increase the adoption of H2Ohio practices by offering broad participation incentives to farmers within a contained watershed.

The results have been remarkable: a 36% reduction in DRP over just two planting cycles, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of H2Ohio’s recommended practices. Meanwhile, the control watershed, where no new H2Ohio practices were implemented, experienced a 48% increase in DRP during the same period.

The Foundation played a significant role in supporting and implementing the Hardin County pilot project and is encouraged by its success, which highlights an efficient and impactful way to reduce phosphorus runoff. Stay tuned as we continue working with farmers, scientists, and community stakeholders to determine the best path forward for improving Lake Erie’s water quality.

Lake photo courtesy of Unsplash

tags: data, farmers, Lake Erie, Maumee River, phosphorus, reduce, reduction, runoff, water quality, watershed