Great Plains Agroclimate and Natural Resources Research Unit Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: HYDROLOGIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS

Location: Great Plains Agroclimate and Natural Resources Research Unit

Title: Integrated science to support the assessment of conservation practices in the Fort Cobb watershed, southwestern Oklahoma

Authors
item Steiner, Jean
item Becker, Carol -

Submitted to: USGS - Scientific Investigations Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: February 16, 2011
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Citation: Steiner, J.L., Becker, C. 2011. Integrated science to support the assessment of conservation practices in the Fort Cobb watershed, southwestern Oklahoma. In: Becker, C.J. (ed.). Assessment of Conservation Practices in the Fort Cobb Reservoir Watershed, Southwestern Oklahoma. USGS - Scientific Investigations Report. Available: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5257/.

Interpretive Summary: Remediating non-point source pollution in agricultural watersheds remains an intransigent problem worldwide. Conservation and research in an agricultural watershed above the Fort Cobb Reservoir in southwestern Oklahoma serves as a case study in how a multitude of players address such a challenge. The reservoir, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for drinking-water supply, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat, fails to meet state water quality standards based on hypertrophic condition in summer months. In 2001, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), conservation districts, and landowners focused conservation efforts to decrease sediment and phosphorus delivery to the reservoir. By 2005, estimated phosphorus loading decreased by 20% and water quality in tributary creeks had improved. The improvements were described as a Nonpoint Source Program Success Story by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2003, NRCS and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) selected Fort Cobb watershed as a Benchmark Watershed under the Conservation Effectiveness Assessment Project (CEAP), a national effort to quantify environmental benefits of agricultural conservation. Selection was based on a multitude of prior monitoring and research in the watershed. Under CEAP, additional U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging stations, water quality sampling under low and high flow conditions, and weather monitoring stations were established, and information about conservation practices implemented in the watershed was compiled. In 2004, the USGS Biology, Geography, Geology, and Water Science Centers, in collaboration with ARS, began inter-disciplinary research to complement ongoing efforts and produce an integrated product that could support planning, implementing, and monitoring the success of BMPs. This publication provides a collection of reports discussing climate, soils, geology, data describing water quality in streams and the reservoir, land use and cover, and surface materials affecting water quality. Also included are a database of historical imagery available for the watershed and a compilation of environmental data collected by state and federal agencies.

Technical Abstract: Remediating non-point source pollution in agricultural watersheds remains an intransigent problem worldwide. Conservation and research in an agricultural watershed above the Fort Cobb Reservoir in southwestern Oklahoma serves as a case study in how a multitude of players address such a challenge. The reservoir, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for drinking-water supply, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat, fails to meet state water quality standards based on hypertrophic condition in summer months. In 2001, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), conservation districts, and landowners focused conservation efforts to decrease sediment and phosphorus delivery to the reservoir. By 2005, estimated phosphorus loading decreased by 20% and water quality in tributary creeks had improved. The improvements were described as a Nonpoint Source Program Success Story by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2003, NRCS and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) selected Fort Cobb watershed as a Benchmark Watershed under the Conservation Effectiveness Assessment Project (CEAP), a national effort to quantify environmental benefits of agricultural conservation. Selection was based on a multitude of prior monitoring and research in the watershed. Under CEAP, additional U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging stations, water quality sampling under low and high flow conditions, and weather monitoring stations were established, and information about conservation practices implemented in the watershed was compiled. In 2004, the USGS Biology, Geography, Geology, and Water Science Centers, in collaboration with ARS, began inter-disciplinary research to complement ongoing efforts and produce an integrated product that could support planning, implementing, and monitoring the success of BMPs. This publication provides a collection of reports discussing climate, soils, geology, data describing water quality in streams and the reservoir, land use and cover, and surface materials affecting water quality. Also included are a database of historical imagery available for the watershed and a compilation of environmental data collected by state and federal agencies.

   

 
Project Team
Starks, Patrick - Pat
Moriasi, Daniel
Garbrecht, Jurgen
Steiner, Jean
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
  Water Availability and Water Management (211)
  Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability (216)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/19/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House