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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #98737
Title: A RESEARCH SITE FOR INTEGRATED STUDIES OF ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT: THE SAVOY EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHED

Author
item Sauer, Thomas
item BRAHANA, JOHN - USGS
item KRESSE, TIMOTHY - ADPCE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Animal wastes contain levels of nutrients, pathogens, metals, and hormones that may have adverse effects on surface and subsurface water quality. A joint effort by the USDA-ARS, USGS, University of Arkansas, and Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology led to the establishment of a research site dedicated to studying the fate and transport of animal waste constituents under field conditions. The Savoy Experimental Watershed (SEW) is an area of approximately 1250 ha. within the Springfield Plateau in northwestern Arkansas. The 6 basins within the SEW typify the karst topography of the Ozark Highlands where poultry litter and swine lagoon effluent are applied to permanent pastures grazed by beef cattle. Unique features of the SEW include the detailed monitoring of both surface and subsurface water quality and the permanent installation of monitoring equipment to enable long-term studies. To date over 20 groundwater monitoring wells have been installed at locations ranging from the riparian forest adjacent to the Illinois River to upland positions. Two continuously flowing springs are gauged to measure flow, specific conductance, temperature, and pH and are routinely sampled for nitrogen and phosphorus parameters and fecal bacteria. A weir installed in basin 1 allows the measurement and sampling of surface runoff. Intensive studies have also been completed within this basin to characterize the soil hydraulic, physical, and chemical properties. Waste application, forage, and grazing management practices within the SEW will be evaluated to ascertain the subsequent effects on surface and subsurface water quality parameters.