Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Primary target audiences are in the State of Michigan. They include state and other related agencies such as Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Environmental Council, and the Great Lakes Region. Local watershed organizations and major water users, water providers and other stakeholders are also our target. Our researchers have been closely working with these audiences throughout the year through various outreach activities. Changes/Problems: No major changes or problems/nothing to report. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Significant training includes: researchers enrolled in a short-course training “Online Watershed Management,” administered by the Institute of Water Research. They also were trained on how to develop the design survey and the use of web-based models and tools. Researchers also attended several workshops and national conferences in their areas of profession. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Michigan researchers participated in presentations, publications, workshops, conferences, meetings, and symposiums related to Michigan and other states' water regulations. Research findings and progress were presented at these events. Various types of publications were also disseminated and distributed including brochures, posters, technical reports, white papers, and journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Develop a broadly recognized definition and/or measurement of water scarcity – when is water considered scarce? An evaluation of existing laws, policies and procedures in Michigan related to water allocation will be conducted to determine their effectiveness regarding scarcity. Methods by which to enhance these laws, policies and procedures will be developed for consideration by water allocation institutions and decision-makers, with input from major water users and providers. The goal of this effort is for the laws, policies and procedures in Michigan related to water allocation to efficiently protect Michigan’s water resources and availability.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Reviewed groundwater case studies/policies of other states for good practices in managing water resources, especially policies dealing with sustainable use of groundwater resources. Michigan has increasing water scarcity in several areas, mostly due to increased pumping demands for irrigation, and needs to take further actions to ensure the sustainable use of groundwater. Therefore, learning from the experiences of other states that have a long history of water scarcity could be beneficial to Michigan. Arizona and Nebraska are the two initial states into which we have looked at sustainable practices and policies for managing groundwater resources. Lessons learned are being solicited and summarized for a white paper report. We will continue looking into other states as well. We anticipate the outcomes from this effort could be used for discussion among all stakeholders, including water users and policy makers, for considering changes to Michigan’s water allocation and institutions. 2) One survey was conducted among large quantity water users in the project area to determine their level of water use, awareness of conservation measures, and willingness to alter their water use practices. Although the survey results have yet to be thoroughly analyzed, the noteworthy highlight observed is that while the responders accept personal responsibility for their water use actions, they’re unlikely to change their practices. A second survey identified the stakeholder groups in the project area, from which common points of view and interests between them was documented. A third survey is being prepared that will target specific water users and producers to determine their ability to accept and incorporate conservation measures, as well as the tools they will need to accomplish such. An introductory meeting was held in the project area to introduce the project and solicit participation and support. 3) Systems/tools support activity on the project began with the use and application of three hydrologic models (PAWS, AFINCH and SWAT). This first phase was spent gathering data and calibrating and verifying these models. This effort also included consolidating a variety of future climate models to create a unified projection of climate variability. The initial data from the modeling effort are expected by the end of 2014. Ultimately, the results of the modeling effort will allow the user to create “what if” scenarios in which the impact of varying climatic and precipitation conditions relative to stream flow, runoff, and groundwater recharge and flow can be estimated to guide water use decisions of long term importance.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Thomas, M., J. Piwarski, A. Asher. 2014. Mid-Michigan Health Impact Assessment Tool. Health Impact Assessment is defined as a combination of procedures, methods, and tools by which a policy, program, or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA identifies appropriate actions to manage those effects. A Regional HIA Toolkit will help facilitate the incorporation of health impacts into local planning, land use, transportation, and development design and permitting decisions in the municipalities in the Capital Region. http://35.8.121.111/hia/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2013. Spatial Decision Support Systems - Partnerships: Managing Land Use for Sustainability. Honored Invited Presenter at the 2013 International Conference on Water Sustainability in Arid Regions held at Lanzhou University in Lanzhou, Peoples Republic of China. 12-14 August, 36 pp, in Proceedings.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2013. Managing Water Resources to Protect Ecologic Services with Increased Uncertainty. Invited: Presented at 2013 UCOWR/NIWR Annual Conference on Sustaining Water Resources and Ecological Functions in Changing Environments. Lake Tahoe, CA, 11-13 June. In Proceedings, Session 3: Policy for Water Supply Management.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J. 2013. Professional and Multi-generational Interdisciplinary Water Resources Education. Invited as Plenary speaker: Presented at 2013 UCOWR/NIWR Annual Conference on Sustaining Water Resources and Ecological Functions in Changing Environments. Lake Tahoe, CA, 11-13 June. In Proceedings, Plenary Session IV: Interdisciplinary Water Resources Education.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Asher, J.A. 2014. "Connecting Communities: Sharing Tools and Technologies - Great Lakes Clean Communities Network (GLCCN)" initiative (funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund), presented the at the 10th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference hosted by Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, held in Grand Rapids, MI, 8-10 Sept 8-10.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Invited: Bartholic, J. 2013. Smarter Agriculture: A Dialogue on Critical Data for Agriculture workshop supported by a grant from NIFA-AFRI, Potomac, MD. Also, Lightning Round Presentation on experiences/perspectives with water resources and land management data. 10-11 Oct.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
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.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wolfson, L., L. Young, J. Asher, et al. 2014. The Great Lakes Clean Communities Network (poster). Extension Beyond Borders: Strengthening Networks for More Effective Water Resource Management, North Central Region Water Network, Bloomington, MN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Power, Rebecca, Thomas Blewett, Joseph Bonnell, Richard Cooke, Jane Frankenberger, Jenna Klink, Faye Sleeper, Lois Wolfson. 2013. The Great Lakes Regional Water Program: Impacts and Next Steps. 68th Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference, Reno, NV by (Poster). This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Young, L. and J. Asher. 2014. Demonstration of the Great Lakes Watershed Management System, part of the Watershed Scale Conservation: How much is Enough? Symposium. Soil Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference, 29 July 29, Lombard, IL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wolfson, Lois, Jason Piwarski, Laura Young. 2014. Presented Go Green Help Keep our Water Clean at MSU ScienceFest on 4 April in East Lansing, MI.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Young, L. 2014. ELUCID Demonstration for EPA GLRI Regional Meeting. April 8, 2014. East Lansing, MI. Supported by a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Young, L. 2014. Lessons Learned: Empowering Local Organizations through Information Technologies. Saginaw Bay Watershed Conference, June 12, 2014, University Center, MI.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J., et al. 2013. Ottawa County Water Resource Study, Final Report. Funding provided by the Ottawa County Planning Commission, Ottawa County, Michigan and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. May, 138 pp.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Legge, J.T., P.J. Doran, M.E. Herbert, J. Asher, G. O'Neil, S. Mysorekar, S. Sowa, and K.R. Hall. 2013. From model outputs to conservation action: Prioritizing locations for implementing agricultural best management practices in a Midwestern watershed. In Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 68(1):22-33. www.swcs.org.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Thupaki, P., P. Mantha, M. Nevers, R. Whitman. 2013. Modeling the Effects of Hydrologic Separation on the Chicago Area Waterway System on Water Quality in Lake Michigan. Final Project Technical Report submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The project was funded by the ACOE via the USGS-WRRI program through the Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University. September, 105 pp.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wolfson, Lois and Jane Herbert. 2013. A Michigan Boaters Guide to Selected Invasive Aquatic Plants. MSU Extension Bulletin E-3189. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 28pp. This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Asher, J., L. Young, K. Freestone. Edited by L. Wolfson and C. Brewbaker. 2014. "Interim Progress Report IV: Great Lakes Clean Communities Network", April-Sept 2014, Project #966, funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund. 8 pp. http://www.iwr.msu.edu/glccn/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wolfson, Lois. 2013. Lessons Shared the Michigan Shoreline Conference, Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership Newsletter, Vol 3(2): 5-6.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Fortin, Connie and N. Mulhern. 2013. Michigans Winter Maintenance Manual: Promoting Safe Roads and Clean Water. Edited by Lois Wolfson, MSU Extension, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 45pp. This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
O'Neil, G., J. Bartholic, et al. 2013. Science and Technology for Environmental Solutions. Midwest Spatial Decision Support Systems Partnership (MSDSSP) Accomplishments Report. June, 46 pp.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J., et al., 2013. Program Evaluation Report Fiscal Years 2008-2010. Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University prepared for the Office of External Research, Water Resources Discipline, U.S. Geological Survey. March, 66 pp.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, J., 2013. Water Policy and Management Challenges in the West. Annual Hatch/Multi State Report Project No. MICL04064 - W2190 for USDA-NIFA reporting period January-September.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bartholic, Jon et.al. 2013 USGS 104(B) 2013 Institute of Water Research Annual Report, Michigan State University, submitted to USGS. 141 pp.
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; State Government; Policymakers; Farm Bureau; Michigan Environmental Council Changes/Problems: We do not anticipate any major changes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We have met with scientists studying policy and management approaches from other states at national meetings and shared/exchanged findings, ideas, and new developments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination has occured at state level, water policy committees, and at national association meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will further developpredictive modeling which includes climate change and how it can be woven into policy and management.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Develop farm-level irrigation strategies to address water quantity and quality problems. An Integrative Decision Support System: A model such as the Process-based Adaptive Watershed Simulator (PAWS) model developed in Civil and Environmental Engineering at MSU is a well-tested hydrologic model that is coupled with reactive transport models to address questions of water quantity and quality and is recommended as an appropriate tool for use by the Water Users Committees. This process-based hydrologic model explicitly describes all important flow and transport pathways and has the ability to predict future changes in water quantity and quality. The modeled impacts of management changes will result in: 1) improved insights into agro-ecosystems; and 2) predictive tools that will allow managers to make better informed decisions when developing adaptation and mitigation strategies in actively managed agro-ecosystems both currently and in future climatic conditions. Also, because of the 3-D variable grid size characteristics of the PAWS model, a finer 3-D grid size can be used to simulate and evaluate different drainage systems. Additionally, different irrigation system efficiencies under altered climate are being examined as mitigation water use approaches are evaluated. Objective 3: Investigate Alternative Water Policy and Management Institutions. Learning from Other States: Serious consideration and very thoughtful deliberation needs to be given to the overall effectiveness of MIs WWAT process and Water Users Committees including their strengths, roles, and limitations. Additionally, other models, policies, programs and approaches are being examined for strengths and weaknesses relative to their applicability in Michigan particularly in situations where stressed resource zones may need more professional, impartial guidance. For example, Arizona legislations established a special groundwater management zone called Active Management Area (AMA) in locations experiencing groundwater overdrafts which combines both regulatory and volunteer programs to manage groundwater withdrawals and land use. Good practices include the use of hydrologic boundaries to define the AMAs, implementing management plans tailored to local inputs and conditions, defining water rights to protect existing users, encourage investment of conservation technology, and providing technical assistance through the use of local and regional collaborations. The legal framework and management approaches of Arizona in AMAs can be considered as a potential model for addressing future water demand and supply challenges and to assure the sustainability of the state’s groundwater resources.
Publications
- 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.
- 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
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.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A Special Message that guides our research from Gov. Rick Snyder-Ensuring our Future - Energy and the Environment. Excerpt - In Michigan, we care about energy and the environment because we care about our kids and their future. These areas do not lend themselves to quick fixes. But the rewards of the right decisions are tremendous. How do we know what the right decisions are What we need to do is identify those actions or decisions that are adaptable. Water Use - Water is in demand by farmers for irrigation use, and by Michigan residents and businesses who want clean, safe water, 100 percent of the time. Michigan has created an innovative and simple-to-use system for water withdrawal as part of its obligations under the regional water management compact. We need to take the next steps regarding the states surface water use (lakes, rivers and streams). We will establish a Water Use Advisory Council to refine the Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool and to evaluate situations where large quantity water withdrawals adversely affect other users or the health of the aquatic system. We also need to make sure that any conflict resolution system that works for surface water users takes into account groundwater users. End Excerpt The Institute of Water Researchs current activity that provides insights plus management and policy options is through an agreement with Ottawa County - (a) Since 2005, there have been instances where aquifers in certain areas of the County have not had the capacity to support new development, (b) Increased demand for groundwater has generated discussions regarding the impacts of water withdrawal from aquifers on surface waters and whether withdrawals are exacerbating brine, nitrate, and other contaminate-levels in domestic wells, (c) There is also concern regarding the potential for widespread, elevated water table levels that result from record rainfall and snowfall events, (d) In response, the County Planning Commission (CPC) developed the Comprehensive Water Resource Study (CWRS), (e) The CPC prepared a RFP to obtain professional consulting services for the Ottawa County CWRS. The Ottawa County Selection Committee recommended that the IWR conduct the CWRS. In order to accomplish the objectives of the Study the IWR proposed to develop an interactive web-based decision support system (IWDSS) that can be utilized by county and local officials. The IWDSS will enable users to see into the earth in a WebGIS-based environment by displaying interactive plan-view maps, and selected cross-sectional views of portions of the county where sufficient well-data exist. Also, Countywide Groundwater Data Analysis Products to - (a) determine the aerial extent and large-scale variation in thickness of the clay layer, (b) characterize at least three aquifer types, (c) provide a depiction of the general groundwater flow regime (direction and rate), (d) map the concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO3), and Arsenic (As) within water well samples, (e) determine the fluctuations of water table depth, (f) graph the generalized decadal trend in mean static groundwater level. PARTICIPANTS: Organizations, agencies, etc. are incorporated into the Outcomes section of this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: State and Federal Agencies, Policy Makers, Natural Resource Organizations. All are incorporated into the Outputs and Outcomes sections of this report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Ottawa Water Resources Project Q2 Progress Report - August 22, 2012. Very important preliminary findings from the data analysis indicate some disturbing trends in Ottawa County groundwater quality and quantity. These present trends are under further investigation at this time. Following is a summary of the hydrogeological results from Drs. Li and Liao - (1) There is a really extensive, thick clay layer throughout most of central Ottawa county. Numerous, thinner clay confining layers extend under the eastern townships of the county, (2) We are unable to map a lower glacial aquifer anywhere in the county since the bottom of the thick clay layer is very close to bedrock surface in most places, (3) Increasing withdrawals from both the glacial aquifer package and the bedrock aquifer system has resulted in a lowering of the static water levels (SWL) in both aquifers. The decline in SWL for both aquifer types displays a strong spatial pattern (i.e., larger declines in some focal areas, less decline elsewhere), (4) The groundwater in the bedrock aquifer is becoming more saline (i.e., increasing chloride concentrations) through time. The spatial pattern of the chloride concentration increases clearly shows that the majority of it is NOT a surface contamination problem (e.g., road salt), but is coming from below within the bedrock aquifer. It is likely that the increasing withdrawals from the bedrock aquifer have caused saline groundwater from deeper in the bedrock aquifer system to migrate upward toward the top of the Marshall Formation beneath central Ottawa County, (5) Nitrate concentrations are elevated (greater than 3 mg/L) in many areas of the county and have been increasing through time. There are numerous hotspots throughout the county, especially in the areas just east of Ferrysburg and Grand Haven, in the area south and SE of Zeeland, in central and western Allegan Twp, in central Georgetown Twp, and in SW Jamestown Twp. In many of these hotspots, the nitrate concentrations are 5 - 10 times the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L. Update by Dr. Yi Shi on the development of the Interactive Web-based Distribution Support System (IWDSS). A scenario based DSS prototype system has been developed. It is based on jQuery and jQuery Mobile front end. This system adopts the so-called mobile first strategy so the system can be run on any device including tablets, smartphones and desktop PCs. The flexible interface also offers tight integration with tutorial information that is critical for this project. Users can also click on the map to query for specific values of certain scenarios. An address locator is also available for use on top of other common interactive mapping capabilities.
Publications
- ONeil, G., A. Shortridge. 2012. Quantifying local flow-direction uncertainty. International Journal of Geographic Information Science. In press.
- 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.
- PRESENTATIONS Bartholic, J. 2012. Water Resource Study Kick-Off Meeting, Ottawa County Water Study Project presentation , West Olive, MI, Jan. 11.
- 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.
- 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. Mobile Technologies presented at the Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership Conference in Chicago, IL, July 9-10.
- 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., 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.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 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. In support of Coca-Cola and The Nature Conservancys (TNC) desire to protect Michigans Paw Paw River and remain water neutral, we developed a suite of maps and modeled outputs that display optimal locations for protection and improvement of water quality and quantity in the Paw Paw River watershed. Previous work by Michigan TNC staff and Michigan State University (MSU) partners has resulted in a tool to quantify the impacts of groundwater pumping and surface land use on a groundwater aquifer. This framework allows for groundwater recharge (replenishment) to be calculated through spatial land use changes (e.g. conversion of conventional tillage to no-till, conversion of agricultural land to grassland or wetland restoration). Here we propose to apply this tool to the Paw Paw River Watershed, with the specific outcome of more efficiently targeting our outreach efforts to farmers, for the benefit of water quantity and quality within the watershed. The optimization maps are the product of three tool outputs; Michigans Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (WWAT); High Impact Targeting (HIT); and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The idea behind the optimization maps is to individually identify and map areas of particular interest within the watershed such as: high sediment loadings, agricultural row crops, water withdrawal, and groundwater recharge by soil groups. Once areas were modeled and identified, they were assigned weighting within a 30x30 meter grid cell. The weightings were summarized to provide rankings for priority location specific mapping of the key water balance factors. In this project we used the USDA-ARS SWAT and the USDA-NASS Cropland Data Layer to estimate the amount of annual irrigation water that could be used for irrigated agriculture (maize) across current row crop agriculture in the state of Michigan. The model was run on all row crop soil types across the state using site specific long term weather data from five locations. The results were aggregated to the watershed level that is used by the WWAT managed by the MI Department of Natural Resources and Environment. 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
The 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 EPAs 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. Online Groundwater Recharge Calculator: The online groundwater recharge calculator estimates the change in recharge to an aquifer based on land use/cover change and acres of land converted. The interface utilizes a map section and calculator section. The map section is built on Microsoft Bing Maps and displays the 12 digit HUC watershed boundaries, streams, and soil groups. The map interface works best with Mozilla FireFox. The user can zoom into parcel of land they are interested in and click the Create New Parcel button at the top map. The user can then single click on the corners of the property for which they wish to make land use/cover changes (double click when finished). The map will automatically calculate the size the parcel and soil type(s), and then open the calculator interface. In the calculator interface, the user can enter the current land use/cover and the proposed land use/cover. If the soil type from the selected parcel is a single soil type, and not comprised of multiple soils, the interface will select that soil group; if there are multiple soils groups, the user will have to choose a dominant type. Once these parameters are all chosen, the user clicks the Calculate button. This sends the parameters to a recharge look up table produced by the SWAT model. The results are displayed in graphical and numeric form displaying the change in groundwater recharge. A project titled Refining the Water Needs and Availability for Michigans Agriculture, provides broader yet location specific mapping of the key water balance factors. Never before has a thorough statewide assessment been conducted and presented of water balance factors with specific emphasis on water availability and needs at a water catchment level. This information is critically important and being utilized by the irrigation industry, seed corn growers, plus other agricultural producers. The information generated supports both broader statewide conceptual planning and detailed local consideration of water availability related to present and growing irrigation demands. We have used the results of this study to educate staff from the state agencies on irrigation and groundwater recharge in an agricultural setting. The study has given a good indication of what the long term irrigation demands are spatially across the state and where new irrigation demands are likely to occur.
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.
- Adelaja, S. Y. Hailu, A. Tekle and S. Seedang. 2010. Evidence of Land Hoarding Behavior in U.S. Agriculture. Agricultural Finance Review 70(3) 377-398.
- 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., 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. 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.
- Wolfson, L. G. 2010. Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, Green Roofs, and Porous (Permeable) Pavement. Fact Sheet Series. Networked Neighborhoods for Eco-Conservation Online. Accessible at: http://www.networkedneighbors.org/
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: (1) Three outputs were completed and listed during the reporting period. They are being disseminated through publications, manuscripts, and working papers. The first publication was published by the Emerald Group Publishing Limited, in the Agricultural Finance Review (Evidence of Land Hoarding Behavior in US Agriculture). The other two were presented at professional water conferences and are in preparation for submission to peer-reviewed journals (Using Bio-Physical Information to Structure a Ground Water Conservation Credit Program; The Role of Water Conservation Technology, Economics, and Institutions for Reducing water Use Conflicts). (2) The Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (WWAT) has been developed to estimate the likely impact of a water withdrawal on nearby streams and rivers. The WWAT is available on-line (http://www.miwwat.org/) for anyone proposing to make a new or increased large quantity withdrawal (over 70 gallons per minute) from the waters of the state, including all groundwater and surface water sources. The proposed project must use the WWAT to determine if the withdrawal is likely to cause an Adverse Resource Impact. If there is no adverse impact the withdrawal may be registered on-line using the WWAT. The results page provides a quick link to submitting a registration with the state. For example, the WWAT has been used by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to protect and improve water quantity and quality in the Paw Paw River watershed, helping Coca-Cola with water sustainability practices for a commercial bottling operation. PARTICIPANTS: The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Saichon Seedang, Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, Jon Bartholic, A. Jeremiah Asher (all IWR-MSU) TARGET AUDIENCES: Water resource managers, policy decision makers, and local planers in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
(1) Market-like Policy for Groundwater: We developed a framework for market-like trading, Conservation Credit Offset Trading (CCOT), to be used as an alternative policy for regulating groundwater use in a sensitive watershed in order to protect stream fish habitats in Michigan. The premise of this policy design was tested using integrated bio-physical modeling with a hypothetical case study and applied data from an actual watershed. A bio-physical model was used to capture the resource impacts and helped in designing the policy. The framework of the CCOT could provide a road map for Michigan and Great Lakes Basin (GLB) states to implement new water policies and regulations to meet objectives of water resource management as stated in the GLB compact. Of key importance for the success of policy development is the need to recognize the challenges in policy development and implementation. This type of market-like approach might meet the needs of community-based, legally enforceable and long-term approaches to protect special ecological places, [those dependent upon groundwater flow] (Seedang, S. et al 2010/manuscript paper). (2) Land Hoarding Behavior in US Agriculture: A theoretical framework is developed to understand the demand for agricultural land retention with and without speculation in U.S. Agriculture. Our research introduces the land hoarding hypothesis. High rates of land appreciation can be expected to signal that holding land may yield better returns than selling, suggesting that if rates of land appreciation become significantly high enough, farmers may begin to hoard land, to maximize long-term returns. This concept can be valuable to market-based agricultural land retention programs at the urban fringe. By linking speculative behavior, land demand and the existence of hoarding behavior under some conditions, this paper adds value and originality to the literature (Adelaja, A.et al 2010). (3) Water Conservation Technology Adoption: Lessons Learned. We explored the potential implementation of a water conservation policy in Michigan where water use conflicts may arise as a result of new legislation. We reviewed the experiences of other regions (US South West-Eastern states/Canada) related to agricultural water conservation implementation. We explored the important role of agricultural water conservation technology, economic incentive policies and institutional governance to support and encourage the implementation of a policy for minimizing water use conflicts. Although we used SW Michigan for our discussion context, it can be applied to other areas in the Great Lakes Basin as long as resource managers/policy makers have a clear understanding of what underlines water use conflicts and of key institutional support and existing policies (Seedang et al 2010/working paper). (4) The impact of the Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool has been recognized nationally via the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2010 from the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, and was one of four innovations to receive the State Program Innovation Award from the Environmental Council of States.
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 (working paper).
- 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. and P. Norris. 2010. Water Use in Michigan. Technical paper. Michigan Agricultural Experimental Station (in press).
- Adelaja, S. Y. Hailu, A. Tekle and S. Seedang. 2010. Evidence of Land Hoarding Behavior in US Agriculture. Agricultural Finance Review 70(3) 377-398.
- Seedang, S., S. Batie, and M. Kaplowitz. 2010. Using Bio-Physical Information to Structure a Ground Water Conservation Credit Program (draft manuscript paper).
- 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.
- Norris, P., S. Seedang, and M. Thompson. 2009. Water Use and Water Demand by Self-Supplied Residential Water Users in Michigan. Technical Paper No. 2008MI118B for USGS Natural Resources Integrated Information System; US Dept of Geological Services.
- Reeves, H.W., D.A. Hamilton, P.W. Seelbach, and A.J. Asher. 2009. Ground-Water-Withdrawal Component of the Michigan Water-Withdrawal Screening Tool: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5003 (36 pages).
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