Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory
Project Number: 3098-13610-008-073-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2018
End Date: Sep 30, 2020
Objective:
Principle focus of the CEAP Watershed Study is to evaluate the effects and benefits of conservation practices at the watershed scale, in support of policy decisions and program implementation.
Approach:
Field and watershed research will be focused around the Fort Cobb Experimental Watershed and the Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in the Upper Washita River Basin as well as the Water Resources and Erosion Unit Source (WRE) Watersheds within the Grazinglands Research Laboratory. Research will span surface and groundwater hydrologic responses, including quality parameters, to conservation practices.
1) Support USDA-NRCS and USDA-ARS Soil Health efforts. a) quantify nutrient management effects on soil and water quality at field and small watershed scales; b) collect detailed land management data for each watershed to support analysis of land management impacts on water quality, soil quality, and profitability; c) collect soil samples from multiple small watersheds with various soil test P levels and various inorganic and organic fertilization strategies; d) analyze soil samples for C, N, and P levels to refine and enhance USDA-ARS Haney Soil Health Tool.
2) Compare the impact of conservation practices on soil health, runoff water quality, crop yield, and on-farm economics. a) collect surface runoff in each and every runoff event with automated samplers and collect baseflow samples weekly; analyze all samples for NO3-N, NH4-N, and PO4-P concentrations b) compare traditional fertility recommendations to the Haney fertility recommendations in terms of crop yield, economics, soil health and water quality; c) use cover crops on cropped fields to enhance soil health and minimize the amount of time bare soil is exposed to rainfall.
