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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379511
Research Project: Strategic Investigations to Improve Water Quality and Ecosystem Sustainability in Agricultural Landscapes

Location: Water Quality and Ecology Research

Title: Using AnnAGNPS to simulate runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads in an agricultural catchment with an on-farm water storage system

Author
item PEREZ-GUTIERREZ, JUAN - Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
item PAZ, JOEL - Mississippi State University
item TAGERT, MARY LOVE - Mississippi State University
item Witthaus, Lindsey
item Bingner, Ronald - Ron

Submitted to: Climate
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2020
Publication Date: 11/12/2020
Citation: Perez-Gutierrez, J.D., Paz, J.O., Tagert, M.M., Yasarer, L.M., Bingner, R.L. 2020. Using AnnAGNPS to simulate runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads in an agricultural catchment with an on-farm water storage system. Climate. 8(11),133. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli8110133. 2020.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cli8110133

Interpretive Summary: On-farm water storage (OFWS) systems are best management practices that consist of a tailwater recovery (TWR) ditch used in conjunction with a storage pond to provide irrigation water and improve downstream water quality. In this study, runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads entering a TWR ditch in an agricultural catchment in Mississippi were quantified, and the main contributing sources were identified using the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) model. Simulations showed that fields with larger areas and soils with a high runoff potential produced more runoff. The volume of runoff exceeded the TWR ditch storage volume approximately 110 times during the study, mostly during the winter and spring seasons. Results showed that during years when corn and winter wheat were planted, nitrate loads increased compared to other years because these crops need nitrogen fertilization to grow. Planting winter wheat reduced runoff, total phosphorus, and sediment loads but also resulted in higher nitrate loads. Quantification of the water, nutrient, and sediment loading helps better understand the benefits of OFWS systems for water availability and quality when implemented in agricultural watersheds.

Technical Abstract: On-farm water storage (OFWS) systems are best management practices that consist of a tailwater recovery (TWR) ditch used in conjunction with a storage pond to provide irrigation water and improve downstream water quality. In this study, runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads entering a TWR ditch in an agricultural catchment in Mississippi were quantified, and the main contributing sources were identified using the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source model. Simulations showed that fields with larger areas and soils with a high runoff potential produced more runoff. The volume of runoff exceeded the TWR ditch storage volume approximately 110 times, mostly during the winter and spring seasons. Results showed that during years when corn and winter wheat were planted, NO3 – N loads increased compared to other years because these crops need nitrogen fertilization to grow. Planting winter wheat in the priority subwatersheds reduced TP and sediment loads by about 19% and 13%, respectively, at M1. While planting winter wheat can reduce runoff, TP, and sediment loads, this management practice can also result in higher NO3 –N loads. Quantification of the water, nutrient, and sediment loading helps better understand the benefits of OFWS systems for water availability and quality when implemented in agricultural watersheds.