Progress 09/01/09 to 02/28/14
Outputs
Target Audience:Project Director left WSU in 2014 and efforts to get any response to complete this report has been unsuccesful. Changes/Problems:Project Director left WSU in 2014 and efforts to get any response to complete this report has been unsuccesful. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Director left WSU in 2014 and efforts to get any response to complete this report has been unsuccesful.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Water resource managers, irrigation managers, researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders interested in the environment. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination of informationincluded producing videos, developing teaching modules,designing a user-friendly interface, andwritingExtension bulletins. Most of these items are in review or post-production and expected to be available in 2014 to the public and educationalentities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The final stages of this project will continue to focus on analyzing the data and producing outputs of benefits to a variety of interersts. This project will have a significant impact on the management of surface irrigated fields. In addition to the use of VFS as an agricultural BMP, substantial information was gained on water management. These findings, and the decision-support structure of the project, has been embraced by the Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control and they plan on using this material to influence their management decisions. Furthermore, the production of extension material (videos, publications, etc.) and education modules made available to the general public will allow for dissemination of information on irrigation management to both growers in central Washington, as well as the general public Nation-wide.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The work conducted in 2013 focused on analyzing results, optimizing the model, producing videos, developing teaching modules and writing up results. The model development involved incorporating field data collected by the study and through USGS, and designing a user-friendly interface. The extension and education components of the project yielded a number of deliverables that will be available to the general public. The extension bulletins produced include: Vegetative Filter Strip Use in the Pacific Northwest Vegetative Filter Strip Use on the Ends of Rill Irrigated Row Crop Fields as a BMP The Establishment of Vegetative Filter Strips on Furrow (Rill) Irrigated Row Crop Field Ends Management Considerations for Maintaining Vegetative Filter Strips on Rill Irrigated Row Crop Field Ends Forage Productivity of Vegetative Filter Strips Established on Rill Irrigated Row Crop Field Ends These are currently in review through the WSU system and are expected to be released in early 2014. USDA-NRCS has agreed to also release this material through their system, allowing the results to be disseminated to a wider audience. The instruction videos were in post-production during 2013 and are expected to be released in early 2014. These videos will be released on-line for use for extension activities and the general public. These videos are titled: Vegetative Filter Strips for Reducing Nonpoint Source Contaminants Use of Vegetative Filter Strips on Furrow Irrigated Fields Maintenance of Vegetative Filter Strips The teaching outcomes will be released on a website in early 2014. The modules include exercises using the QnD model for students of various levels (middle school, high school and college). Key topics offocus are natural resource conservation, identifying contaminant hot-spots, evaluating different management scenarios and trade-offs associated with different options. The middle school modules focus primarily on natural resources, and the general ideas of a watershed. The high school modules advance more to evaluating options. The college modules emphasize decision criteria in making management decisions, and the trade-offs associated with different options. Instructors will be able to incorporate these modules into their teaching through guidance provided on our website. Links will also be provided to the extension brochures and videos, as well as other relevant resources. Interest in this project has grown, and included two university presentations. PI Ullman was invited to talk about the project at Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS), where he gave the talk “Evaluating Best Management Practices: A Lesson on Conducting Research on Working Farms” on October 11, 2013 as part of the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering Seminar Series. He also gave the presentation titled “Irrigation Management to Protect Water Quality: A Lesson on Conducting Research on Working Farms” as part of the Department of Horticultural Sciences Seminar Series at University of Florida on September 9, 2013. Conference presentations on the field and modeling component were conducted throughout the year, both regionally, nationally and internationally.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Campo, M.A., R. Mu�oz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, O. P�rez-Ovilla and J.L. Ullman. 2013. Spatial vegetative filter strips response function with VFSMOD for an integrated watershed management approach in the Yakima River, WA. Florida Section ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers), 2013 Annual Conference, St. Augustine, FL, June 12-15.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Campo, M.A., R. Mu�oz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker and J.L. Ullman. 2013. Influencia del suelo en la eficiencia de la implantaci�n de filtros verdes en un distrito de riego por superficie en medio �rido. ZNS 13 Conference (Zona no Saturada; Vadose Zone), Lugo, Spain, Nov. 6-8.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ullman, J.L., B.W. Bodah, M.A. Campo, R. Mu�oz-Carpena and G.A. Kiker. 2013. Ullman, J.L., R. Mu�oz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, V. McCracken ,W.L. Pan, B.W. Bodah, O. Perez-Ovilla and M. Campo-Bescos. 2013. Use of vegetative filter strips on surface irrigated fields and development of a decision-support tool to optimize water quality benefits. USDA National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) Project Directors Meeting at 68th Annual Soil and Water Conversation Society International Conference, Reno, NV, July 21-24. Pg. 2.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Campo, M.A., R. Mu�oz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, O. P�rez-Ovilla and J.L. Ullman. 2013. Vegetative filter strips used on surface irrigated fields as a novel best management practice. Florida Section ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers), 2013 Annual Conference, St. Augustine, FL, June 12-15.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Campo, M.A., R. Mu�oz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, O. P�rez-Ovilla and J.L. Ullman. 2013. Spatial object-oriented watershed management tool (QnD-VFS) to engage stakeholders in targeted implementation of filter strips in the Yakima River Basin, WA. Florida Section ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers), 2013 Annual Conference, St. Augustine, FL, June 12-15.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Progress was made with an operating questions and decisions-vegetative field strip (QnD-VFS) model. Comparisons were conducted with other models such as the water erosion prediction project (WEPP). The field hydrologic modeling component was linked to the VFSMOD model, which was calibrated to run five different soil, ten different crop, and three different water management scenarios to obtain response curves characterizing the removal of sediments and nutrients from the irrigation return water. Thus, VFSMOD can now run 900 combinations of conditions that one might encounter in the Yakima River Basin. This field/BMP modeling component was then linked to the watershed hydrologic network for Granger Drain. This system serves the 482 parcels in the Granger Drain Basin. This hydrologic network includes algorithms to account for water and sediment routing within return canals. The hydrologic components were then linked with the QnD decision-support platform to create QnD-VF. The QnD system was created by Co-PI Kiker as an education tool that incorporates management, economic, and socio-political issues in a user-friendly scenario framework. QnD, which incorporates elements of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and risk assessment, can be deployed as a stand-alone program or a web-accessed tool. This finite difference model performs Euler numerical integration of various rate transformation and mass-balance transfer equations. The QnD-VFS system has two parts: a game view and a simulation engine that includes data on filter strips and TSS, P and N dynamics collected through the field component. We planted four different vegetative filter strips (containing between 18 and 27 subplots each) on three farms. The alfalfa/bigleaf clover plots planted on Farm #2 were retained, and two new vegetative types were introduced that consisted of Durar hard fescue and bull tall fescue. Farm #1 was planted to the 2012 treatments, and 216 soil samples were taken in total. However, copious water use again flooded the strips, which prevented collection of filter strip efficacy data. At Farm #2, the alfalfa/bigleaf clover and the two fescue treatments were sampled and 162 soil samples were taken. Each subplot was tested for evaluating sediment and nutrient mitigation efficacy. Biomass data was collected. Farm 3 was replaced with Farm 4. Soil samples were taken before and after the irrigation season and treatment efficacy during irrigation was evaluated. Biomass samples were collected to access productivity of the VFS. Planning was made for introducing the concepts into the grade school curricula. We have begun to produce multi-media teaching modules to use when teaching water resources components in courses. We began production of Extension videos to be posted on the university webpages and YouTube. They will demonstrate the use of filter strips. Accompanying interviews with the research team were filmed. These will be completed in 2013 and made available online. A conference paper was published through the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE) and a published abstract through the American Geophysical Union (AGU). PARTICIPANTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jeffrey L. Ullman, Ph.D. INSTITUTIONAL UNITS INVOLVED:
Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University
Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Florida CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Vicki A. McCracken and William L. Pan (Washington State University)
Gregory A. Kiker and Rafael Munoz-Carpena (University of Florida) KEY ADDITIONAL COOPERATION:
Troy Peters, Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University
Mark Stannard, USDA-NRCS, Pullman, WA
Elaine Brouillard, Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control
Participating growers in the Yakama River Valley
TARGET AUDIENCES: Water resource managers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project will have a significant impact on the management of surface irrigated fields. In addition to the use of VFS as an agricultural best management practice (BMP), substantial information was gained on water management. These findings, and the decision-support structure of the project has been embraced by the Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control and they plan on using this material to influence their management decisions. Furthermore, the production of extension material (videos, publications, etc.) and education modules made available to the general public will allow for dissemination of information on irrigation management to both growers in central Washington, as well as the general public nationwide.
Publications
- Campo, M.A., R. Munoz-Carpena, O. Perez-Ovilla, G.A. Kiker and J.L. Ullman. 2012. An object-oriented watershed management tool (QnD-VFS) to engage stakeholders in targeted implementation of filter strips in an arid surface irrigation area. AGU (American Geophysical Union) 2012 Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 3-7. Abstract ID# H21A-1156.
- Bodah, B.W., J.L. Ullman, R. Munoz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, O. Perez-Ovilla, W.L. Pan, R.T. Peters and M. Stannard. 2012. Sediment and nutrient reduction in irrigation return flows by vegetated filter strips on surface irrigated fields. 2012 ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) Annual International Meeting, Dallas, TX, July 29 - Aug. 1. Paper #12-1336855.
- Campo, M.A., O. Perez-Ovilla, G.A. Kiker, R. Munoz-Carpena, J.L. Ullman and V.A. McCracken 2012. A spatially-explicit, object-oriented watershed management tool (QnD-VFS) to engage stakeholders in targeted implementation of filter strips in the Yakima River Basin, WA. 2012 ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) Annual International Meeting, Dallas, TX, July 29 - Aug. 1. Presentation #12-133691.
- Ullman, J.L., B.W. Bodah, O. Perez-Ovilla, R. Munoz-Carpena, G.A. Kiker, V. McCracken and W.L. Pan. 2012. Use of vegetative filter strips on surface irrigated fields and development of a decision-support tool to optimize water quality benefits. 2012 Land Grant & Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR, May 20-24.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Five separate filter strip locations were established on three working farms. Each strip contained 36 subplots, which were used to test four vegetation treatment types: alfalfa/big leaf clover, Bromar mountain brome grass, Rosana western wheat grass, Baronesse barley. Farm #1 had two filter strip sites, where 216 soil samples were collected for each strip, prior to the irrigation season, for nutrient analysis. Large amounts of irrigation water on this farm led to the strips being flooded most of the season. Thus, data on mitigation efficacy was impossible to collect. Farm #2 had one complete filter strip site where 225 soil samples were collected at various depths, prior to the irrigation season, for nutrient analysis. The mountain brome grass and western wheat grass site had weed issues during the season. However, samples were collected to test filter strip efficacy over a five-week period for 18 subplots of the alfalfa/bigleaf clover and barley plots. Biomass was collected to evaluate potential production. Farm #3 had two filter strip sites, each containing the four vegetation treatments. Weeds were an issue on both. One site had a successful barley stand that was adequately assessed. The alfalfa, mountain brome grass, and western wheat grass were overrun with weeds, but nearly pure stands of the invasive barnyard grass became established and served as replacements. Biomass production was sampled. The grower allowed us to manage the water for a week, allowing us to obtain a good dataset on these plots. The other strip was completely overrun with weeds despite two attempts to plant. The plots were sprayed with herbicide, roto-tilled and re-planted, but quick regrowth of weeds resulted in a poor data set. Field hydrology was modeled to provide values to enter into the vegetative filter strip modeling system (VFSMOD) for the strips. VFSMOD was also adapted to the field setting of the Yakima River Basin. The aim was to get response curves for sediment and nutrient removal from different types of soils, crops and water management. Developing the watershed hydrologic network was also initiated for the 482 sites within the Granger Drain Basin. A focus group with farmers was held to obtain insight on grower beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. The consensus was that growers were not opposed to implementing best management practices (BMPs) if they did not impose a cost burden or required extensive additional maintenance. They felt that the decision-support tool being developed would be of little interest to the average grower. However, the Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control was interested in the tool. Thus, the project was focused more towards water managers, particularly those that serve as a bridge between the regulatory agencies and growers. Meetings were also held in conjunction with Central Washington University in regards to the education component. Two graduate students serving in regional high schools took particular interest in the potential to use the project as a foundation to reach grade school students. A planning stage was initiated with the aim to have experiential learning programs for grade school students in 2012. PARTICIPANTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jeffrey L. Ullman, Ph.D. INSTITUTIONAL UNITS INVOLVED:
Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University
Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Florida CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Vicki A. McCracken and William L. Pan (Washington State University)
Gregory A. Kiker and Rafael Munoz-Carpena (University of Florida) KEY ADDITIONAL COOPERATION:
Troy Peters, Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University
Mark Stannard, USDA-NRCS, Pullman, WA Elaine Brouillard, Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control Participating growers in the Yakama River Valley TARGET AUDIENCES: Irrigation managers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project will have a significant impact on the management of surface irrigated fields. In addition to the use of VFS as an agricultural BMP, substantial information was gained on water management. These findings, and the decision-support structure of the project has been embraced by the Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control and they plan on using this material to influence their management decisions. Furthermore, the production of extension material (videos, publications, etc.) and education modules made available to the general public will allow for dissemination of information on irrigation management to both growers in central Washington, as well as the general public Nation-wide.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant progress was made in 2010 on all aspects of this project. Integral to the facets of research, extension and education was continued relationship building with relevant stakeholders. This cross-disciplinary project requires significant cooperation from area growers, the irrigation districts, the Yakama Nation/Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and various state and county level entities involved with agriculture. An extensive number of face-to-face and phone call meetings were conducted, promoting the development of close relationships with growers. Several filter strips were established during 2010 at the end of working agricultural fields under surface irrigation management. Plots were established and data collected on the mitigation potential for nutrients and sediments. Building off of these preliminary results in the first field season of the project, we are expanding the number of plots and plot types across the Yakima River Basin for 2011. Enough data should be collected by the end of this second growing season to start producing publications specific to filter strip effectiveness in protecting water resources. This field collected data will be used in the physical and risk assessment models that will provide the decision support tools central to this project. In the meantime, two sets of focus group meetings have been conducted; this included a set where the University of Florida collaborators came up to Washington to meet with the producers in person. Valuable socio-economic data were collected that provided new insight into the beliefs and attitudes of the regional growers in regards to water quality and implementation of best management practices. Also, the irrigation districts and BIA have provided access to large data sets related to water use, water rights, land use, farm plots, irrigation canal distributions and agricultural crop information. All of this information has allowed for the development of the first version of the interactive decision support model QnD to be produced for the Yakima River Basin, which includes a GIS layout of the irrigation districts. This model was met with a positive response and continuous upgrades to the model will be made as more data are collected. PARTICIPANTS: Washington State University, Pullman: Jeffrey L. Ullman, Assistant Professor/Scientist; Vicki A. McCracken, Professor/Scientist; Xiaoqiao Lu, Research Associate; and Graduate Students: Brian W. Bodah and Joel T. Michalski. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders interested in the environment. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research data collected from filter strips placed along water ways at field sites in Yakima County along with input from interactions with growers, landholders, and others interested in the environment will help provide a basis for developing new runoff management tools.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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