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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408251
Research Project: Managing Water Resources to Foster the Sustainable Intensification of Agroecosystems in the Northeastern U.S.

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Tailwater recovery systems can improve water quality: an area ripe for research in cranberry agriculture

Author
item Kennedy, Casey
item OMER, AUSTIN - Bayer Cropscience
item Wiegman, Adrian
item Welsh, Molly
item Millar, David
item Buda, Anthony

Submitted to: Agricultural & Environmental Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/27/2023
Publication Date: 4/17/2024
Citation: Kennedy, C.D., Omer, A., Wiegman, A.R., Welsh, M.K., Millar, D.J., Buda, A.R. 2024. Tailwater recovery systems can improve water quality: an area ripe for research in cranberry agriculture. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 9(1):e20122. https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20122.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20122

Interpretive Summary: The water quality benefits of tailwater recovery systems have been questioned in Massachusetts. Preliminary data suggest that tailwater recovery systems have the capacity to reduce phosphorus losses from cranberry farms to freshwater lakes, many of which are impaired by excess phosphorus. In this commentary, we explore the potential for tailwater recovery systems to enhance water quality of freshwater lakes by addressing critical gaps in research and describing the case study of White Island Pond, Massachusetts.

Technical Abstract: Cranberry agriculture is an integral part of the economy of Massachusetts, but also a source of phosphorus (P) to surface water. To reduce their potential impact on water quality, cranberry growers have implemented tailwater recovery (TWR) as a water management practice. Citing environmental concerns, local advocacy groups have lobbied for moratoriums on earth removal, which would effectively stop construction of TWR systems in southeastern Massachusetts. However, research shows that TWR systems have a positive effect on water quality, decreasing agricultural inputs of P to surface water by 23 to 92% for farms in Mississippi. In Massachusetts, TWR can be part of a suite of best management practices to improve water, but more research is needed to support their environmental benefits and to allay public concerns.