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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #401628
Research Project: Towards Resilient Agricultural Systems to Enhance Water Availability, Quality, and Other Ecosystem Services under Changing Climate and Land Use

Location: Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit

Title: Highlights of CEAP activities and/or outcomes in the Upper Washita Basin

Author
item Moriasi, Daniel
item Starks, Patrick
item Fortuna, Ann-Marie
item STEINER, JEAN - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2024
Publication Date: 8/7/2023
Citation: Moriasi, D.N., Starks, P.J., Fortuna, A., Steiner, J.L. 2023. Highlights of CEAP activities and/or outcomes in the Upper Washita Basin. Abstract. SWCS Conference, Des Moines, IA, Aug 6-9,2023.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Fort Cobb Reservoir Experimental (FCREW) and Little Washita River Experimental (LWREW) watersheds, located within the Upper Washita Basin (UWB) in Oklahoma, have been part of the ARS Benchmark Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)-Watershed Assessment Studies since 2003. Presenting research findings based on applied conservation practices (CPs) and their scale is the goal of this presentation. The main factors that affect water resources and soil erosion in the UWB are climate, land use, and red cedar encroachment. No-till, riparian buffers, and red cedar removal were commonly implemented CPs to protect soil and water resources in this study. In 2012, bathymetric survey in the LWREW showed that the remaining service life of the reservoirs ranged from 45 to 118 years. Of these studies, 11 of 12 reservoirs reflected remaining service life of more 50 years due to multiple CPs implemented over the years through NRCS programs. A recent study that sought to identify correlations between soil health (phosphorus, available water content, sand to-clay ratio) and water quality (nitrates, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) indicators associated with land use, management, soil texture, aspect, elevation, and slope found that application of CPs in the FCREW for three years improved water quality. Details of the effects of CPs on soil and water resources will also be presented. “USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer”