The Source Water Protection Initiative (SWPI) and Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) are results of congressional mandates designed to assess the impact of voluntary best management practices on soil quality, water quality, and ecology. Results will be presented from the initial soil quality assessment for the benchmark Upper Big Walnut Creek watershed in Ohio. Soil samples from different soil types and management practices within the watershed were taken in the summer of 2004. Samples were taken at three soil depths 0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm. The soil quality assessment will include bulk density, available water capacity, pore size distribution, aggregate stability and soil organic carbon. These initial results will be used as part of a larger study to assess the environmental benefits of various conservation practices in the Upper Big Walnut Creek watershed.