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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169606
Title: HISTORICAL LAND USE CHANGES AND WATER QUALITY IMPACTS IN THE LITTLE RIVER WATERSHED

Author
item Sullivan, Dana
item Bosch, David
item Strickland, Timothy
item Wauchope, Robert - Don
item Potter, Thomas

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2003
Publication Date: 1/10/2004
Citation: Sullivan, D.G., Bosch, D.D., Strickland, T.C., Wauchope, R.D., Potter, T.L. 2004. Historical land use changes and water quality impacts in the little river watershed [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy Meetings. In: Ag. Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Conservation practices have been widely accepted as a method to conserve and protect natural resources. Yet, offsite water quality benefits attributed to conservation efforts have not been adequately quantified. In order to provide policy makers with the most accurate information regarding the effects of conservation programs, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has partnered with the Agricultural Research Service to conduct the 'Conservation Effects Assessment Project-Watershed Assessment Studies' (CEAP-WAS). The Little River Watershed, located in the Southeastern Coastal Plain, will serve as one of 12 benchmark watersheds used to evaluate national conservation effects assessment protocol on a scientific basis. Intensive agricultural production near year-round, an extensive riparian network and broad flood plains typical of the Coastal Plain, make the Little River Watershed uniquely suited to evaluate trend in land use and water quality impacts. The watershed is approximately 334 km2 in size and has been subdivided with streamgage and precipitation stations at each of seven sub-watersheds ranging in size from 3 ' 155 km2. In keeping with the goals of CEAP-WAS, we will utilize water quality data, historical land use information, satellite imagery, and NRCS records to address the impact of best management and changing land use practices on water quality within the Little River Watershed.