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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
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Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds
Published on: September 26, 2017
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Seasonal sediment and nutrient transport patterns
Journal of Environmental Quality
|January 21, 2015
Summary
Understanding sediment and nutrient patterns is key for effective mitigation. This study estimated seasonal suspended sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loads in Oklahoma, identifying critical subwatersheds for conservation practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Water Quality Management
Background:
- Effective mitigation strategies require understanding sediment and nutrient sources and patterns.
- Collecting long-term data on sediment and nutrient loadings is challenging due to cost and scarcity.
- The Fort Cobb Reservoir Experimental Watershed (FCREW) in Oklahoma lacks comprehensive seasonal loading data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine seasonal patterns of suspended sediment (SS), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and loadings.
- To establish water quality-discharge relationships for estimating seasonal loads.
- To identify priority areas and seasons for implementing conservation practices to meet water quality criteria.
Main Methods:
- Utilized USGS gauge site data from FCREW for discharge, SS, TN, and TP concentrations.
- Developed lognormal water quality-discharge relationships to estimate concentrations and loads.
- Analyzed seasonal patterns and trends using Spearman's test against state water quality criteria.
Main Results:
- Largest loads for SS, TN, and TP were estimated during wet springs and summers.
- Study target concentrations for SS, TN, and TP were exceeded in at least one season.
- Insignificant monotonic trends were observed for seasonal time series loads across all sites.
Conclusions:
- Lake Creek and Willow Creek subwatersheds are priority areas for TN and TP conservation during winter and spring.
- Common mitigation practices include nutrient management, no-till farming, land conversion, riparian buffers, and animal exclusion.
- The study provides valuable insights for designing targeted watershed management strategies in similar environments.
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