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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #202573
Title: Monitoring Surface Drainage and Water Quality from Closed Depressions

Author
item Livingston, Stanley
item Smith, Douglas
item Heathman, Gary
item Huang, Chi Hua

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2006
Publication Date: 9/26/2006
Citation: Livingston, S.J., Smith, D.R., Heathman, G.C., Huang, C. 2006. Monitoring Surface Drainage and Water Quality from Closed Depressions [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. November 12-16, 2006, Indianapolis, IN. 2006 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in conjunction with many other interested stakeholders, are taking part in the Source Water Protection Initiative (SWPI) and the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) within the St Joseph River Watershed in northeastern Indiana. SWPI and CEAP are programs to assess the environmental benefits of current conservation practices and to develop and document the effects of new Best Management Practices (BMP’s). The Cedar Creek sub watershed has been selected for detailed monitoring. A significant percentage of the landscape within the Cedar Creek sub watershed is dominated by closed depression drainage systems. These systems normally include a tile riser or blind inlet for surface water removal. The contribution of surface inlets to water quality issues is being investigated. In this study, two adjacent field sized depressions (2.5ha) have been selected for monitoring of surface runoff to 2 different types of inlet structures. Blind inlets and tile risers have been installed in each depression and are controlled by gate valves. In-line monitoring of flow and sample extraction have been installed. A full suite of weather and soil sensors have been installed to monitor environmental and hydrologic conditions. Comparisons can be made between different management schemes or drain types. Continuous flow measurements have been taken since April 2005. Samples are dependant on runoff events and time of year. Schematics of the sample station design as well as flow and water quality data from each watershed will be presented.