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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Agroecosystems Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227206
Title: Targeting of Watershed Management Practices for Water Quality Protection

Author
item WORTMANN, C
item HELMERS, M
item GELDER, B
item WRIGHT-MORTON, L
item DEVLIN, D
item BARDEN, C
item ANDERSON, S
item BROZ, R
item FRANTI, T
item REGASSA, T
item SHEA, P
item Tomer, Mark
item FREES, L
item GRIFFITH, D
item FRIZZELL, D

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2008
Publication Date: 8/15/2008
Citation: Wortmann, C.S., Helmers, M., Gelder, B., Wright-Morton, L., Devlin, D., Barden, C., Anderson, S., Broz, R., Franti, T., Regassa, T., Shea, P., Tomer, M.D., Frees, L., Griffith, D., Frizzell, D. 2008. Targeting of Watershed Management Practices for Water Quality Protection. Extension Publications. Heartland Regional Water Coordination Initiative, Lincoln, NE. p.3-23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ensuring a clean and adequate water supply implies conservative use of water and protecting water resources from pollution. Sediment, nutrient, and pesticide losses in runoff are major pollutants of surface waters in the Midwest. This publication addresses the targeting of best management practices (BMPs) in watersheds or landscapes to maximize the impact of investments in water quality protection. The publication is intended as a resource for those who advise on or practice land and water management. The authors recognize the ecological and social diversity of watersheds and land managers, and that most agricultural pollutants often come from small parts of watersheds as a result of landscape sensitivity coupled with management inappropriate for water quality protection. Targeting BMPs to the important source or mitigation areas is likely to have the most cost-effective impact on water quality.