Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Conservation Districts; USDA-NRCS; The Nature Conservancy Changes/Problems: Redouble our efforts with the processes and partners we currently have in place. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The Regional Research S-1042 meeting provided both professional development and an opportunity to share new researchinsites in a training environment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Through Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Watershed 319 project; Watershed Communities; EPA All Hands meeting; Extension Leadership; and Regionally at Midwest Spatial Decision Support System efforts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue our multi-faceted approach yet add more formalized partnerships with agencies, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, USDA-NRCS; The Nature Conservancy; U.S. Companies.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The improved efficiency and effectiveness of existing organizations (many partially funded from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative--GLRI) is a major outcome. The increasing rate that a variety of practices provide leading to potentially reduced phosphorus loads to streams and the Great Lakes is being determined. The percent of these practices in the highest risk areas is being calculated with concurrent estimates of reduced nutrient loads. With this system in place along with integrated communication networked organizations, programs are enhanced and more effectively executed to meet water quality improvement goals. The EPA Program STEP-L spreadsheet results will be augmented and made more relevant to water quality outcomes with the priority mapping and water quality assessment system in place. Evaluation is both normative and summative throughout the duration of the project. We are utilizing individuals at MSU who specialize in project evaluation to assist with the evaluation process.Ongoing analysis of the various components of this project are also being obtained via feedback from our Advisory Committee. Results are provided in all reports throughout the duration of the project and will be summarized in the final report. It is emphasized that this project is designed to have ongoing feedback from users of the system. This feedback is vital as the systems design characteristics are tweaked to enhance understandability and ease-of-use. The evaluation is leading to changes and improvements throughout the project and aiding with any design changes that may be required. Broad expansion of the system across priority GLRI watersheds and the Great Lakes is anticipated following completion of this proposed project.
Publications
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2012. Navigating a new course for water resource policy and management, Michigan State University Futures Magazine, MSU Global Water Initiative, volume 30 Nos 1 & 2. pg 21-26.
Asher, J., J. Grabill, C. Lampe, L. Wolfson. 2012. Networked Neighboprhoods for Eco-Conservation Online, Final Report submitted to the Great Lakes Protection Fund, April, 13 pp.
ONeil, G., et al. 2012. Development of the Great Lakes Watershed Management System. Activity Report submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Great Lakes Tributary Modeling Program 516(e). May, 27 pp.
Singh, D.V., V.N. Sharda, V. Selvi, J. Bartholic, and K. Maredia (eds). 2012. Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture: Indo-US Experiences. Jointly published by CSWCRTI, Research Centre, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India and Michigan State University, East Lansing, U.S.A. 318 p.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2012. On-air conversation/interview with Kirk Heinze on Greening of the Great Lakes conversation with Kirk Heinze aired on WDBM The Impact 88.9 FM student radio; 1240 AM WJIM; and 760 AM WJR. Topic: MSU Institute of Water Research: Finding Global Water Management Solutions Locally. Transcript available at http://goo.gl/B8jWK or www.facebook.com/GOTGL. February 18.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2013. Spatial Decision Support Systems - Partnerships: Managing Land Use for Sustainability. Honored Presenter by Invitation, 2013 International Conference on Water Sustainability in Arid Regions, Lanzhou University in Lanzhou, Peoples Republic of China. 12-14 August.
Bartholic, J. et al. 2013. Goal 2: Expand and Maintain Watershed Decision Support Systems - Connectivity of the Present and a Holistic Look Toward the Future. Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership Conference, Chicago, IL, sponsored by U.S. EPA Region 5. 16-17 July.
Bartholic, J. 2013. Professional and Multi-Generational Interdisciplinary Water Resources Education. 2013 Annual UCOWR/NIWR Conference: Sustaining Water Resources and Ecological Functions in Changing Environments, Plenary Session IV: Interdisciplinary Water Resources Education; Lake Tahoe, CA, 11-13 June.
Bartholic, J. 2013. Supporting GLRI Priorities through 516(e) Program Web-based Tools. Great Lakes Sedimentation Workshop sponsored by Great Lakes Commission, Ann Arbor, MI, 14-15 May.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2012. Focused Practice Application to Reduce Soluble Reactive Phosphorus presented at the Regional Project Meeting S-1042, Gainesville, FL, Oct 26.
Bartholic, J., S. Li, D. Lusch, Y. Shi, K. Schindler. 2012. Ottawa County Planning Commission Water Study Project, presentation of Case Study, IWDSS, and Data Analysis. October 29.
Bartholic, J., D. Lusch, Y. Shi, K. Schindler. 2012. Ottawa County Water Resources Study: An Update-Background, Water Quantity/Quality Analysis, Interactive Web Decision Support System, and Planning and Policy Perspectives presented at the Ottawa County Seventh Annual Water Quality Forum in West Olive, MI, Nov. 1.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Seedang, S., P. Norris, S. Batie, M. Kaplowitz. 2013. Michigan State University. Exploring market-based environmental policy for groundwater management and ecosystem protection for the Great Lakes Region: Lessons learned. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 39 (2013), pp. 484-492, 23 July; on-line at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133013000828.
Legge, J., P.J. Doran, M. Herbert, J. Asher, G. ONeil, S. Mysorekar, S. Sowa and K. Hall. 2013. From model outputs to conservation action: Prioritizing locations for implementing agricultural best management practices in a Midwestern watershed. doi:10.2489/jswc.68.1.22. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Jan/Feb 2013-Vol. 68. No. 1, pp. 22-33.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J., et al. 2013. Ottawa County Water Resource Study Final Report submitted May 24 to the Ottawa County Planning Commission. Prepared by the Institute of Water Research and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 138 pp.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Like many ecologically-significant Midwestern rivers, the Paw Paw River watershed is heavily impacted by agriculture, and as a result conservationists have prescribed conservation practices to improve hydrologic conditions and water quality. Implementing these strategies cost-effectively is difficult because one rarely knows where practices will be most effective, nor how to accurately predict the effects from a given practice. To address these gaps, several existing models were combined to identify and prioritize the most effective locations for improving water quantity and quality at the field scale. This research project was conducted and funded cooperatively with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The investigation provides a means for quantifying the anticipated benefits for groundwater recharge based on practices applied at a field scale. Models Utilized - In the first phase, the outputs of 3 models were generated and merged to identify priority areas at the field scale for specific conservation practices. These 3 models include - (a) Sediment Delivery (High Impact Targeting) - The HIT model is a product of two underlying models, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), and the Spatially Explicit Delivery Model (SEDMOD) to estimate at a 30-m resolution the percentage of soil from any given location entering the stream system. (b) Infiltration and Groundwater Recharge (SWAT Modeling) - SWAT was used to estimate the hydrologic water balance under both current and circa 1800 land cover, and then to estimate groundwater recharge for broad soil types under different land practices. (c) Sensitivity to Groundwater Withdrawal (WWAT Modeling) - WWAT is a tool that estimates the amount of flow of a river or stream that could be reduced (e.g. through groundwater pumping) before the species abundance of fish would be adversely impacted. To reach the goal of identifying priority locations where conservation practice implementation could optimize ground water recharge and minimize sediment loading, data was combined from the three models (HIT, SWAT, WWAT) and the results mapped, including only lands in the watershed with active row-crop agriculture. The highest priority was assigned to agricultural lands where HIT estimated sediment loading as high, the WWAT indicated a low amount of available groundwater as baseflow to streams, and on soils suitable to promote groundwater recharge modeled in SWAT. The various input layers were re-classified into numeric classes from 1-4 at natural breaks, with 4 having the highest priority. Sedimentation risk received highest priority because the HIT modeling provides the most site-specific information. WWAT results were given the lowest consideration in the model because of legal protections in Michigan and because specific conditions within tributaries were of lower concern than contributions to the Paw Paw River main stem. SWAT modeling demonstrated that soil-type played a strong influence on the benefits of tillage practices, so relatively moist type-C soils were prioritized and mapped separately from drier A-soils. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outcomes section of this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: State, Federal, County, Local, Extension, Environmental Organizations, Farmers, Schools, Township-County Officials - all are incorporated in the Outputs and Outcomes sections of this report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Collectively across the six practices, the prioritized scenarios provide an increase in groundwater recharge of between 23 and 36 percent over the historic scenario. Results for sediment reduction were more variable, but prioritized scenarios showed more than a 100 percent improvement in focusing on agricultural lands at risk for producing the highest sediment volumes. Prioritized areas and the groundwater recharge tool are now being used to inform implementation of conservation practices. Because of this projects success, TNC is expanding the effort to the Saginaw Bay with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation - Using Science to Target Conservation Practices in Critical Great Lakes Watersheds. This project is an example of The Nature Conservancys expanded conservation approach from site to systems. To implement this approach, Conservancy scientists are joining with key partners to address some of the most fundamental issues and challenges facing Great Lakes health today. The added value the Conservancy hopes to bring to the current body of conservation work is to develop an understanding, based on science, of the collective impact of conservation actions across these systems and to generate the tools and analyses that allow targeting of conservation practices that have been identified by science as having the potential to yield the greatest return on conservation investment. To this end, and in partnership with Michigan State University water scientists, Conservancy scientists are helping to develop ecological models that will tell us both where in the watershed to implement agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and how much of a given BMP needs to be applied to achieve a measureable positive impact on the watershed and maximize return on conservation investment. TNC is also working with MSU to develop models that tell where sediments and nutrients originate on the land, and to quantify the amount of sediments and nutrients entering the waterway. The tool may also contribute to developing new funding models for support of conservation practice implementation. Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) operates their largest company-owned bottling plant in the Paw Paw watershed. CCNA is pursuing a goal of water neutrality in its global operations, defined as mitigating its use of water in production through on-site conservation and support of off-site watershed improvements. Based on this analysis, CCNA has provided support for targeted outreach, recruiting priority landowners for enrollment in USDA-funded cost-share programs to implement conservation practices. The analysis combined with the field-scale groundwater recharge calculator tool allow CCNA to correlate recharge benefits with practices initiated through their support. In the future, other institutions using large volumes of water may want to support similar projects to demonstrate progress toward offsetting their water use through sponsorship of activities that replenish water quantity and/or quality.
Publications
- ONeil, G., A. Shortridge. 2012. Quantifying local flow-direction uncertainty. International Journal of Geographic Information Science. In press.
- Legge, J., P.J. Doran, M. Herbert, J. Asher, G. ONeil, S. Mysorekar, S. Sowa and K. Hall. 2012. Prioritizing locations for implementing agricultural best management practices in a Midwestern watershed. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. In press.
- ONeil, G. 2011. Sediment Modeling for the Manitowoc and Twin Rivers Watersheds (Wisconsin), July 2010-Jun 2011. Final Report prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226-2523.
- PRESENTATIONS Bartholic, J. 2012. Invited speaker at Great Lakes Decision Support Systems on Steroids, Presented at the Minnesota River Integrated Watershed Study Workshop, University of Minnesota-St. Paul Campus, MN, Jan. 16-17. Bartholic, J. 2012. Environmental Decision Support Systems on Steroids: An Overview of Several Systems Being Developed by Groups on Campus, Center for Water Sciences, Natural Resource Bldg., MSU, Jan. 25.
- Wolfson, L., J. Asher, C. Lampe, J. Grabill, Y. Shi, J. Bartholic and G. ONeil. 2011. Networked Neighborhoods to Encourage Adoption of Green Practices: Using social networking and mapping technology to improve the environment. Poster Session, NIFA National Water Conference, Washington, DC, February.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Farm Conservation/Environmental Credit Calculator (CCC), Webinar Presentation, March 22.
- Kline-Robach, R., L. Wolfson, and J. Asher. 2012. Development of a Web-based Program to Encourage Adoption of Green Practices. Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR, May.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Productivity and Conservation Enhancement: Mapping, Assessing and Tracking, Natural Resource Working Group, East Lansing, MI, May 10.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Web-based Model Development-Agricultural Land Uses, presented at the Great Lakes Sedimentation Workshop in Ann Arbor, MI, May 31.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Watershed Targeting Program, USDA Technology Workshop, East Lansing, MI, June 25.
- Bartholic, J., Y. Shi., J. Asher. 2012. Co-Creation and Adaptation of Tools for New Purposes and Audiences-Great Lakes, Gulf, Upper Mississippi, presented at the Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership Conference in Chicago, IL, July 9-10.
- Shi, Y. 2012. Mobil Technologies presented at the Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership Conference in Chicago, IL, July 9-10.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Navigating a new course for water resource policy and management, Michigan State University Futures Magazine, MSU Global Water Initiative, volume 30 Nos 1 & 2. pg 21-26
- Wolfson, L.. 2012. Multiple Impacts on Michigan Waters Possible Due to Climate Change. Lake Effect. Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society. June, Pages: 2, 6.
- Bartholic, J. (presenter), Y. Shi, J. Asher. 2012. Tools and Techniques for Watershed Management and Decision Support-Decision Support Systems for Water, Energy, and Food in an Uncertain World, presented at the UCOWR/NIWR Annual Conference: Managing Water, Energy & Food in an Uncertain World, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 17-19.
- Bartholic, J. 2012. Focused Practice Application to Reduce Soluble Reactive Phosphorus presented at the Regional Project Meeting S-1042, Gainesville, FL, Oct 26.
- Bartholic, J. 2011. Watershed Targeting Program, USDA Technology Workshop. Washington, DC, November 3.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Develop Tools: Nonpoint source pollution poses particular challenges to tracking water quality improvements in watersheds. Demonstrating improvements through traditional measures have not proven successful due to complex variables within watersheds and delays in response to applied management strategies. Social data can be used as a surrogate to traditional monitoring to identify changes in peoples behavior and attitudes that lead to improved water quality. However, due to the need for consistent measures and indicators for summarizing social data, using a practical framework and system to manage these indicators is crucial. The Social Indicator Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) system was developed to provide a practical means for project management and administration to easily build and standardize social surveys, track progress, and summarize results in targeted watersheds. Decision support systems for optimally managing the landscape of our Great Lakes watersheds have advanced significantly in recent years. Several approaches have been used in specific case studies. One such system known as High Impact Targeting (HIT) has evolved over the past several years and can now provide guidance to resource/watershed managers across the basin. With assistance and support from the Army Corps of Engineers 516e program and the USDA-NRCS-CIG program, this systematic approach toward identification and prioritization of highest contributing sediment locations (watershed down to sub-field scales) has been evaluated and enhanced. The HIT plus system is now available across the Great Lakes Basin. The system utilizes a spatially explicit sediment loading model that combines a soil-erosion model called RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) and a sediment delivery ratio model called SEDMOD (Spatially Explicit Delivery Model). The system has been extensively evaluated at the County Conservation District office level and system outputs have been incorporated locally into the NRCS county level Tool Kit analysis system. Gully erosion is an important sediment source in the environment. Gullies provide effective links for transporting runoff and sediment from uplands to valley bottoms and stream channels. Many damages done to watercourse and properties by runoff from agricultural land are related to gully erosions. In the past, the Institute of Water Research (IWR) sediment modeling tool was mostly focused on sheet erosion over agricultural landscapes. To enhance our capabilities for comprehensive sediment modeling, IWR recently applied technique developed by USDA-ARS to the Root River watershed in MN for a pilot study. This method uses a Compound Topographic Index (CTI) as a predictor of ephemeral gullying potential. CTI can be calculated in a GIS environment and is also programmed into the latest version of the AnnAGNPS software. The results we got for potential gully erosions in Root River watershed show this is a promising technique and can be utilized in the Great Lakes region based on high resolution DEMs(2-4 meters). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outcomes section of this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outputs and Outcomes sections of this report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A suite of decision support and learning web-based tools have been developed that are being used throughout the state and within the Great Lakes region to enable agencies and users to make more informed decisions concerning key environmental issues or practices. The State Department of Environmental Quality has recommended their use with watershed planning grants, and the Michigan NRCS is using one of these systems to guide their process in developing priority watersheds. Included are High Impact Targeting (HIT) (www.iwr.msu.edu/hit2) which prioritizes areas, at multiple scales, for optimal soil erosion and sediment loading reduction; Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis system (SIDMA) (www.iwr.msu.edu/sidma), a part of a larger multi-state project to measure social indicators as proxies for water quality; and Networked Neighborhoods for Eco-Conservation (www.networkedneighbors.org) which uses social networking and mapping technology to link people together with common goals of improving the environment in the Great Lakes Basin or their watershed. The Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) website is the first system created to both manage social data related to water quality improvement and offer tools for users to build standardized social surveys. These functions allow project managers and administrators funded through the EPA 319 program to demonstrate improvements in watersheds in new and innovative ways. In addition, administrators can easily search and report on the status of any of these projects across a region, reducing time and resources typically involved in facilitating these requests. The High Impact Targeting (HIT) system is being utilized in watershed planning funded by the EPA 319 watershed program. The HIT system has aided in watershed planning by defining problematic agricultural areas in the watershed. Also, the system aids in the prioritization of actions to be taken in the implementation portion of the watershed improvement process. Estimates of sediment reduction from BMP implementation can be calculated and accumulated from field to watershed to sub-basin levels. Facilitate Usability: These new technologies are allowing local users access to field level interactive intelligent guidance for conservation planning and practice selection. These systems can greatly improve efficiency and effectiveness for field technicians and land owners with identifying problematic fields, assessing BMPs, and simultaneously recording subsequent actions. One such system currently being adapted for hand-held and tablet technology delivery is High Impact Targeting (HIT), which is an action support tool at the watershed and field level for aiding conservation decisions. This hand-held and tablet technology delivery tool can provide greater cost-effective decisions to reduce the levels of sediment and nutrients reaching streams and lakes.
Publications
- Bartholic, J., W. Northcott, S. Miller, J. Asher, S. Seedang, S. Gasteyer, and J. Andresen. 2010. Refining the Water Needs and Availability for Michigans Agriculture from a Spatial and Temporal Perspective, Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University, 5 pp.
- Isely, E, P. Isely, S. Seedang, K. Mulder, A. Steinman, and K. Thompson. 2010. Addressing the Information Gaps Associated with Valuing Green Infrastructure in West Michigan: Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services Tool (INVEST). Journal of Great Lakes Research 36(3):448-457
- Seedang, S, P. Norris, and J. Bartholic. 2010. The Role of Water Conservation Technology, Economics, and Institutions for Reducing Water Use Conflicts, Michigan Case Study (Proceedings abstract). The American Water Resources Association Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, November 9-12, 2009.
- Bartholic, J., Y. Shi, K. Maredia, S. Seedang, J. MacDonagh-Dumler. 2010. Institute of Water Research and Institute of International Agriculture, Michigan State University, Characteristics of an Action Plan for Addressing Emerging Issues in Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia Region. Submitted to the Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute Research Centre, India for inclusion in Proceedings from the Indo-US Workshop on Emerging Issues in Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia Region, December 10-12, 2009, in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
- ONeil, G., J. Bartholic, Y. Shi. 2010. Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University. High Impact Targeting Decision Support System for BMPs to Most Effectively Reduce NPS Pollution, presented at the 18th National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin November 16-18. Nov. 17, Session 5-03, In Proceedings on CD, 33 pp.
- Shi, Y., J. Bartholic. 2010. Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University. Managing Water Resources through Virtual Organizations. Proceedings from the Indo-US Workshop on Emerging Issues in Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia Region, December 10-12, 2009, in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Shi, Y., J. MacDonald-Dumler, J. Bartholic, G. ONeil, J. Asher. 2010. Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University. Decision Support Tools for Watershed Management. A United States Experience. Proceedings from the Indo-US Workshop on Emerging Issues in Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia Region, December 10-12, 2009, in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Stepenuck, K., L. Wolfson, B. Liukkonen, J. Iles, and T. Grant. 2011. Volunteer Monitoring of E. coli in Streams of the Upper Midwestern United States: A Comparison of Methods. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 174:625-633.
- Wolfson, L. 2010. Harmful Algal Blooms on the Rise. 2010. Lake Effect: Vol. 2. February 2010. Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society. Pages: 69.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: (1) HIT: HIT is an interactive system where users can visualize GIS data on high-risk erosion areas that are of the greatest interest to them. The use of HIT supports important NRCS, MDA, and other state agency conservation goals such as the reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation, improvement of water quality, and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Conservation districts and farmers can use this targeted approach to realize the maximum impact of conservation programs. With HITs availability expanding to the entire Great Lakes Basin in late 2009, IWR began promoting the tool to decision makers in the basin. IWR performed demonstrations in NRCS state offices in Michigan and Wisconsin, at local conservation district offices in Michigan, and at U.S. Army Corps of Engineer sediment workshops in Buffalo and Milwaukee (with another workshop scheduled for January in Cleveland). Michigan NRCS has agreed to evaluate the tools output as a ranking for EQIP application scoring across the state. (www.iwr.msu.edu/hit2)Paw Paw River Watershed Groundwater Recharge Calculator: IWR collaborated with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to develop an online tool allowing users to spatially evaluate the impacts of land cover change and agricultural conservation practices on groundwater recharge in the Paw Paw River Watershed of southwest Michigan. IWR developed field-scale priority maps weighting recharge potential and erosion/sedimentation risk. TNC is using the tool and maps to coordinate conservation strategies with local conservation districts in the watershed. The project was funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation, who has expressed an interest in making its bottling plant in the watershed water neutral. This project provides a means by which that goal could be coordinated and evaluated. (http://35.9.116.206/tnc). (2) Networked Neighborhoods for Eco-conservation Online (NECO): IWR collaborated with local environmental groups and digital media / communication researchers at MSU to develop an online tool allowing users to document, map, and view urban conservation practices in their communities. For example, users can view the locations of existing rain barrels and rain gardens in their neighborhood, document their own, quantify their hydrological impact, and share information with other users. IWR conducted user testing and rollout workshops throughout 2010. This project was funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund. (www.networkedneighbors.org). (3) Red Cedar River Watershed Planning Project: IWR is collaborating with Civil and Environmental Engineering professors from MSU and local conservation district staff to develop a management plan for the Red Cedar River Watershed of south central Michigan. The team will utilize HIT and the Process Adaptive Watershed Simulator (PAWS) to prioritize sub-watersheds by sediment, nutrients, and E. coli, and estimate load reductions. This project is funded through EPAs 319 program. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outcomes section of this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outputs and Outcomes sections of this report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
(1) HIT: The success of the NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant that funded HIT's development motivated Michigan NRCS to evaluate the incorporation of HIT prioritizations as a factor in EQIP application scoring. Currently, watershed sediment loading rates are not factored into EQIP applications. The integration of HIT into this process helps target EQIP conservation practices in the sub-watersheds where they are likely to have the greatest impact on water quality per dollar spent. (2) Paw Paw River Watershed Groundwater Recharge Calculator: Though the outputs of this project are still new, TNC has been able to utilize them to estimate the maximum groundwater recharge potential for the Paw Paw River Watershed. TNC and Coca-Cola are reviewing these findings and utilizing the on-line tool to coordinate conservation strategies. (3) Networked Neighborhoods for Eco-conservation Online (NECO): IWR held three user evaluation sessions for the NECO tool in pilot communities. In April 2010 the system was evaluated by citizens of Holland, MI. In May the system was evaluated by potential users in East Lansing, MI. A final evaluation was held in Toledo, OH in June. The results of these evaluations led to significant system refinements, making the system roll-out events at MSUs Ag Expo (July) and Holland, MI (October) all the more successful. (4) Red Cedar River Watershed Planning Project: This project has just begun. There are no outcomes to report.
Publications
- ONeil, G., J. Bartholic, Y. Shi. 2010. High Impact Targeting Decision Support System for BMPs to Most Effectively Reduce NPS Pollution, presented at the 18th National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop, Nov. 16-18 in Milwaukee, WI. In Press
- ONeil, G., L. Theller, Y. Shi, J. Bartholic, B. Engel. 2010. The Swan Creek Watershed Management System, presented by ONeil at the TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality ASABE Conference, Nov. 14-17 in Baltimore, MD. In Press
- Bartholic, J. 2010. Presented at Great Lakes Tributary Modeling Program 516(e) All Hands Meeting; Partner Updates: Web-based Model Development and Other Activities, in Ann Arbor, MI, June 22.
- Asher, A.J. 2010. Networked Neighborhoods for Eco-Conservation (NEC) Online presented to the Holland Community Energy Advisory Group by Jeremiah Asher of MSU-Institute of Water Researchs Web-based Mapping Project; October 7 at City Flats Hotel-Theater Room downtown Holland, MI.
- ONeil, G. 2010. Conservation Innovation Grant final report, Impact Targeting: applying conservation tools to the worst areas for maximum sediment/nutrient reductions. Submitted to Michigan Department of Agriculture.
- ONeil, G., 2009. Presented at ACOE Detroit District Managing and Understanding Sediments in Your Watershed meeting, Web-based tools for soil erosion assessment/management: HIT, DW, RUSLE, in Buffalo, NY, Dec. 8-9.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: WCAT: The EPA has taken a critical step to accelerate national progress in the development and implementation of effective watershed plans to protect water quality with the publication of its 2006 Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters. This handbook describes science-based, watershed management methods and techniques to guide work to improve and protect water quality. Knowing how to acquire relevant data and how to use appropriate analytical tools can be a formidable and labor intensive task. The need then, for structure and guidance when tackling this task, quickly becomes clear. The Watershed CAT directly addresses this need. The Watershed Comprehensive Assessment Tool (or Watershed CAT) is an interactive DSS for developing effective watershed management plans. This system guides users through the data intensive steps of the watershed planning process and introduces you to online data sources, online analysis tools and additional watershed related information. Each step of the watershed planning process has several activities for which a specific tool or online data source is provided. The Digital Watershed Mapper, previously developed by the Institute of Water Research, serves as the platform for the Watershed CAT on web at: http://35.9.116.206/IWR/WCAT/index.asp. HIT: HIT is an interactive system where users can visualize GIS data on high-risk erosion areas that are of the greatest interest to them. The use of HIT supports important NRCS, MDA, and other state agency conservation goals such as the reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation, improvement of water quality, and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Conservation districts and farmers can use this targeted approach to realize the maximum impact of conservation programs. HIT has recently been enhanced and expanded to cover the entire U.S. side of the Great Lakes Basin. The tools mapping interface has been redesigned and integrated with Microsofts Bing maps, creating a rich data viewing experience that allows users to conduct in-depth watershed-scale and field-scale analyses on web at: http://www.iwr.msu.edu/hit. Swan Creek: The IWR at MSU and Purdue University have built the Swan Creek Watershed Management System (currently at http://www.iwr.msu.edu/swancreek), a decision support tool for the northwestern Ohio watershed. The system utilizes dynamic online modeling to allow users to evaluate the environmental impacts of different agricultural and urban BMP best management practices (BMPs) within the watershed. Examples of the systems functionality include cost-benefit analyses of conservation tillages ability to reduce sediment run-off from farmland, and the impacts of urbanization on run-off volume and pollutant loading. The systems development was a collaborative process with Purdue leading the development of urban analysis components, and MSU leading the development of the agricultural analysis components to facilitate a seamless system and the use of common data across models. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outcomes section of this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals, organizations, etc. are incorporated in the Outputs and Outcomes sections of this report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
WCAT: The purpose of the Watershed CAT is to enhance and optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of watershed planners, EPA, NRCS, citizens, and state environmental and agricultural agencies engaged in the development/implementation of watershed plans. Convenient Web access to a broad range of geo-referenced data sets and data layers customized and connected to decision support tools harnesses the wealth of assembled data for application to specific watersheds. The overall goal of the Watershed CAT is to simplify the watershed planning process by making GIS based information, critical data layers and data sets, and decision support tools available from one site on the Web. This dynamic and user friendly system helps energize watershed management strategies and improve and protect water quality. The Watershed CAT provides a powerful digital systems compliment to the EPA Watershed Handbook and a foundation for understanding the complexity of watershed functions and human behavioral impacts on water quality. By utilizing the WCAT system, watershed groups have access to a broad array of tools/models that simplifies the information gathering process. A webinar and presentation on the system have been provided to EPA Administrators and planners. The system is presently being incorporated into EPA watershed planning recommendations. HIT: HIT has been presented at numerous regional and national meetings and in webinars covering the Great Lakes Region. Most importantly the MI DEQ is supporting/encouraging the use of HIT in the 319 watershed grants for which they provide support. Swan Creek: The Swan Creek Ohio System is being utilized by urban planners and soil and water conservationists following a workshop in Toledo, OH with 30 key leading planners. The Army Corps of Engineers is providing funding to expand the system to four additional large watersheds across the Great Lakes Basin.
Publications
- Seedang, S., Fernald, A., Adams, R., Landers, D. 2008. Economic Analysis of Water Temperature Reduction Practices in a Large River Floodplain: an Exploratory Study of the Willamette River, Oregon, Wiley InterScience on line at www.interscience.wiley.com, 19 pages.
- Bartholic, J., ONeil, G., Shi, Y. 2009. A Web-Accessible Watershed-Based System Targets Land Areas at Highest Risk for Sediment Loss to Streams. On Line Proceedings 2009 at http://www.benthos.org/Other-Publications/NABStracts/2009/4406.aspx, North American Benthological Society, Grand Rapids, MI.
- ONeil, G., Shi, Y., Bartholic, J., Fanelli, R., Engel, B., Hunter, J., 2008. Swan Creek Watershed Project Final Report submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in fulfillment of funding requirements. 17 Pages.
- Shi, Y., 2009. Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership, Exchange Network Grant Program Semi-Annual Progress Report for Grant OS-83320901-0, submitted to Wisconsin DNR to Environmental Protection Agency. 21 pages.
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