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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 #411869
Research Project: Impacts of Variable Land Management and Climate on Water and Soil Resources

Location: Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit

Title: The Upper Washita Basin: Highlights of recent and current activities and outcomes

Author
item Moriasi, Daniel
item Fortuna, Ann-Marie
item STARKS, PATRICK - Retired ARS Employee
item LEE, SANGHYUN - Orise Fellow
item STEINER, JEAN - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2024
Publication Date: 7/22/2024
Citation: Moriasi, D.N., Fortuna, A., Starks, P.J., Lee, S., Steiner, J. 2024. The Upper Washita Basin: Highlights of recent and current activities and outcomes. Soil and Water Conservation Society. July 21-24, 2024 Myrtle Beach, SC.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Research in the Upper Washita Basin CEAP site focuses on the effects of land and conservation management practices on watershed hydrology, soil erosion, nutrient and water budgets. We maintain and expand long-term observational research databases to elucidate water-related processes for agroecosystems within the Southern Plains. Archival and current research is used to improve tools and strategies that integrate soil health and water conservation, including placement of conservation practices for optimal effectiveness in watersheds. We will present the results of projects that include use of the empirical Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) adapted to a GIS framework to study the spatial variability of soil erosion across landscapes to estimate reservoir sedimentation. The Système-Hydrologique-Européen (MIKE-SHE) model coupled with the sediment transport model is used to compute sediment production at the grid scale. This study is expected to help advance the current estimates of soil erosion by bridging scale differences to capture the large-scale effects of small-scale soil erosion processes. An additional study combined archived soil and water data collected at variable scales within a single watershed to link soil and watershed health. Use of historic soil and water data, and technologies such as remote sensing that provide timely, cost-effective, and accurate measurements of soil and water properties will enable researchers to link long-term measurements with current monitoring efforts. Data collected at this site, and other observational sites will be publicly available and will support a wide range of agroecosystems analysis and modeling research under a wide variety of ARS and other research programs. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.