Watershed scale impacts of buffers and upland conservation practices on agrochemical delivery to streams

T. G. Franti, D. E. Eisenhauer, M. C. McCullough, L. M. Stahr, M. G. Dosskey, D. D. Snow, R. F. Spalding, A. L. Boldt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conservation buffers are designed to reduce sediment and agrichemical runoff to surface water. Much is known about plot and field scale effectiveness of buffers; but little is known about their watershed scale impact. Our objective was to estimate the watershed scale impact of grass buffers by comparing sediment and agrichemical losses from two adjacent 141-165 hectare watersheds, one with conservation buffers and one without. Rainfall derived runoff events from 2002-2003 were monitored for water runoff, TSS, phosphorous and atrazine loss. A conservation-watershed included 0.8 km of grass buffers and 0.8 km of riparian forest buffer, ridge-tilled corn, corn-beans-alfalfa rotation, terraces and grassed waterways. A control-watershed had no buffers, disk-tilled, continuous corn and grassed waterways. The same application rate and method for atrazine to corn was used in each watershed. Total rainfall during the April-June monitoring period was similar in 2002 and 2003; however, the conservation-watershed produced only 27 mm of runoff, compared to 47 mm from the control. Over two years, TSS and phosphorous losses per hectare were reduced by 97% and 95%, respectively, in the conservation-watershed. Atrazine loss per hectare was 57% less in the conservation watershed. A separation technique showed that for 2002 other conservation practices reduced TSS by 84% and buffers reduced TSS by an additional 13% compared to the control. Similarly, other conservation practices reduced atrazine losses by 29% and buffers accounted for an additional 31%. On a watershed scale buffers can add benefit to a conservation system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSelf-Sustaining Solutions for Streams, Westlands, and Watersheds - Proceedings of the 2004 Conference
EditorsJ.L. D'Ambrosio
Pages323-332
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2004
Event2004 Self-Sustaining Solutions for Streams, Westlands, and Watersheds Conference - St Paul, MN, United States
Duration: Sep 12 2004Sep 15 2004

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2004 Self-Sustaining Solutions for Streams, Wetlands, and Watersheds Conference

Conference

Conference2004 Self-Sustaining Solutions for Streams, Westlands, and Watersheds Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt Paul, MN
Period9/12/049/15/04

Keywords

  • Atrazine
  • Conservation buffers
  • Phosphorous
  • Runoff
  • Sediment
  • Watershed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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