An overview of research into conservation practice effects on soil and water resources in the Upper Washita Basin, Oklahoma, United States

Abstract

The Fort Cobb Reservoir Experimental Watershed (FCREW) and Little Washita River Experimental Watershed (LWREW), located within the Upper Washita Basin (UWB) in Oklahoma, are part of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Benchmark Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)–Watershed Assessment Studies locations. The CEAP was created in 2003 by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with USDA ARS and many other partners to quantify the environmental effects of conservation practices (CPs) and programs and to develop the science base for managing the agricultural landscape for environmental quality. The ultimate goal of this study was to present CPs that are expected to work at respective spatial scales, based on the findings of research that has been carried out in these CEAP and other watersheds within the UWB in the last 15 years. A summary of research findings indicates that the effects of CPs on soil and water resources were simulated at various spatial scales. At the large watershed scale, average annual suspended sediment yield at the 786 km² (303 mi²) FCREW outlet was reduced by 86% based on multiple CPs implemented from the 1950s to 2008 by NRCS. Specific quantified effects of studied CPs are presented herein. With the exception of red cedar (<i>Juniperus virginiana</i> L.) removal, single CPs were expected to show improvement of soil and water resources in smaller-scale watersheds. Practices that are expected to improve soil and water resources include grassland conservation from red cedar encroachment (brush control), combined streambank stabilization practices, riparian and filter strip buffer practices, and conversion of cropped area to Bermuda grass (<i>Cynodon dactylon</i> [L.] Pers.).