ELKHART, Indiana — The St. Joseph River Basin Commission and the Michiana Area Council of Governments will host a public meeting Jan. 25 to talk about Cobus Creek.

The purpose of the meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Elkhart County Conservation Club, 55515 Riviera Drive, Elkhart, is to inform all interested persons about the beginning of a new study on Cobus Creek watershed.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to share local knowledge about areas of interest in the watershed, which will be incorporated into the study. The study will look to gain a better understanding of Cobus Creek watershed’s environmental health, identify water quality issues and potential improvement projects, and suggest resources in the watershed that may benefit from preservation.

Cobus Creek watershed includes portions of Cass County, Michigan and Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana as well as Cobus Creek, Garver Lake and Pleasant Lake.

The Cobus Creek Watershed diagnostic study is funded through an Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement Program and contributions from several local governmental and nonprofit organizations.

The study will consist of gathering habitat, chemical, and biological data which will be used to assess water quality concerns in the watershed. It will be an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the health of Cobus Creek’s natural environment, analyze potential water quality improvements, and help identify resources in the watershed that may benefit from preservation.

The final study will be complete and made available to the public in early 2017.