As agricultural land in the Minnesota River Basin is retired, tile drains are removed or broken and riparian corridors are planted to reduce runoff. Early studies saw decreased sediment and nitrogen and improved biological indicators but no significant changes in phosphorus. This project continues to investigate the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity; stream water; and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus.
In the Minnesota River Basin, retirement of agricultural land has been actively pursued at the state and federal level and includes removal of tile drains and planting of retired riparian corridors with native grasses and is supported under various programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM). U.S. Geological Survey scientists observed that suspended sediment as well as nitrite plus nitrate and total nitrogen (N) decreased with increasing percentages of retired land in a basin. In addition, although biological indicators varied in their response to percentage of retired land, most, including algal biovolume, abundance of tolerant invertebrate and fish species, and fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) scores improved as a function of the amount of retired land within 50 to 100 meters of the stream. In contrast, total phosphorus (P) concentrations showed no clear link to percentage of retired land. This observed inconsistent relation between various water quality and biological indicators led to questions of how the distribution and history of retired agricultural land impacted ecological outcomes.
A project was initiated in the Fall of 2011 that builds on the initial findings of Christensen and others (2009) to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus.
Features
- Small basin study of land management effects on water quality, in-stream nutrient retention, and organism health
- Distribution gradient of retired riparian corridor
- Incorporates a long-term water-quality site
- Scientists from multiple USGS Science Centers
- Interaction with local, State, and Federal cooperators including Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, Hawk Creek Watershed Project, Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District, and NRCS District Office
Background
Sediments are considered among the most significant agricultural pollutants because sediment runoff physically degrades aquatic habitat, and carries excess nutrients, especially phosphorus. Riparian buffers, including those retired from agricultural production, are a key agricultural practice used to control runoff of sediment and associated pollutants. Edge-of-field studies have shown that these buffers:
- Reduce streambank erosion
- Dissipate stream energy
- Trap sediment and associated pollutants
- Enhance terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat
However, the link between riparian buffers and ecological response is less clear, due to issues of:
- Discontinuities of riparian buffers along the length of a stream
- Vegetation management on retired agricultural land
- The addition of tile-drains to fields that pass through the retired agricultural land in the riparian zone
- Changes in streambank erosion and sediment storage in retired areas
- The effect of in-ditch vegetation on sediment and nutrient retention and support of biodiversity
This project builds on our initial findings to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus. The approach:
- Defines a framework for study design that is transferrable to other physiographic and agricultural settings
- Demonstrates how detailed understanding of processes can lead to improved indicators of retired riparian corridor effectiveness
- Produces new understanding of the role of retired riparian corridors in improvement of water and stream biota quality. In addition, this project proposes a biotic response as a critical component of assessing the effects of retired lands.
- Improves understanding of the effect of within ditch vegetation on sediment and nutrient retention, and the relation to biodiversity and stream organism health
This project demonstrates an integrated USGS approach to watershed-scale studies, involves USGS scientists from several Science Centers and National Programs, and is conducted in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies. This project addresses the Midwest Area Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices Initiative Themes of Watershed Resilience, Ecosystem Services, and Wildlife and Human Health, and addresses the Energy theme by addressing age of retirement and continuity of retired lands.
Research Approach
From the previously-studied Minnesota River basins (Christensen and others, 2009) a series of subbasins were selected to isolate the issues of hydrogeology and buffer characteristics. In order to focus on the impact of buffer character, sites will be selected that involve primarily cropland agriculture. Sub-basins will be chosen to provide a range of (1) time of retirement and (2) hydrogeologic conditions, at the same time controlling for other issues that might complicate the perceived response. Selected basins will be evaluated in terms of:
- Extent and duration of agricultural land retirement
- Hydrogeology
- Artificial drainage
- Agricultural practice
- Relation of streams to buffers, tile-drains, and agricultural fields
Data collection and sampling design includes:
Ecosystem Quality
- Water quality samples (Stream water, Groundwater, Tile-drained water)
- Water quality components (Nutrients, Suspended sediment concentration), including real-time water-quality monitoring
- Biological sampling and lipid analysis of algae, insects, and fish
- Organism health
- Food sources
- Stalbe isotopic (C & N) analysis of fish and insects
- Food source
- Food chain length
Sediment Characterization
- Sediment samples from multiple flow events
- Collection of sediment source samples
- Samples to be analyzed by USGS labs (Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Lab, Organic Geochemistry Research Lab, Kentucky Sediment Lab, Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Lab, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) Lipid Lab, National Water Quality Lab)
Photo credits:
U.S. Geological field crew collects sample in a tributary of the Minnesota River Basin, 2008 (photo by Victoria Christensen)
U.S. Geological Survey field crew sampling invertebrates at South Branch Rush River, MN, 2006 (photo by: Victoria Christensen, U.S. Geological Survey)
Below are publications associated with this project.
Migratory bird habitat in relation to tile drainage and poorly drained hydrologic soil groups
Assessment of conservation easements, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids in West Fork Beaver Creek, Minnesota, 1999-2012
Relations between retired agricultural land, water quality, and aquatic-community health, Minnesota River Basin
Water-Quality and Biological Characteristics and Responses to Agricultural Land Retirement in Three Streams of the Minnesota River Basin, Water Years 2006-08
Estimated Nutrient Concentrations and Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring in the Eucha-Spavinaw Basin, Northwestern Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma, 2004-2007
Nutrients, suspended sediment, and pesticides in water of the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota and North Dakota, 1990-2004
Real-time water quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate nutrient and bacteria concentrations in Kansas streams
Regression analysis and real-time water-quality monitoring to estimate constituent concentrations, loads, and yields in the Little Arkansas River, south-central Kansas, 1995-99
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
As agricultural land in the Minnesota River Basin is retired, tile drains are removed or broken and riparian corridors are planted to reduce runoff. Early studies saw decreased sediment and nitrogen and improved biological indicators but no significant changes in phosphorus. This project continues to investigate the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity; stream water; and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus.
In the Minnesota River Basin, retirement of agricultural land has been actively pursued at the state and federal level and includes removal of tile drains and planting of retired riparian corridors with native grasses and is supported under various programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM). U.S. Geological Survey scientists observed that suspended sediment as well as nitrite plus nitrate and total nitrogen (N) decreased with increasing percentages of retired land in a basin. In addition, although biological indicators varied in their response to percentage of retired land, most, including algal biovolume, abundance of tolerant invertebrate and fish species, and fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) scores improved as a function of the amount of retired land within 50 to 100 meters of the stream. In contrast, total phosphorus (P) concentrations showed no clear link to percentage of retired land. This observed inconsistent relation between various water quality and biological indicators led to questions of how the distribution and history of retired agricultural land impacted ecological outcomes.
A project was initiated in the Fall of 2011 that builds on the initial findings of Christensen and others (2009) to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus.
Features
- Small basin study of land management effects on water quality, in-stream nutrient retention, and organism health
- Distribution gradient of retired riparian corridor
- Incorporates a long-term water-quality site
- Scientists from multiple USGS Science Centers
- Interaction with local, State, and Federal cooperators including Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, Hawk Creek Watershed Project, Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District, and NRCS District Office
Background
Sediments are considered among the most significant agricultural pollutants because sediment runoff physically degrades aquatic habitat, and carries excess nutrients, especially phosphorus. Riparian buffers, including those retired from agricultural production, are a key agricultural practice used to control runoff of sediment and associated pollutants. Edge-of-field studies have shown that these buffers:
- Reduce streambank erosion
- Dissipate stream energy
- Trap sediment and associated pollutants
- Enhance terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat
However, the link between riparian buffers and ecological response is less clear, due to issues of:
- Discontinuities of riparian buffers along the length of a stream
- Vegetation management on retired agricultural land
- The addition of tile-drains to fields that pass through the retired agricultural land in the riparian zone
- Changes in streambank erosion and sediment storage in retired areas
- The effect of in-ditch vegetation on sediment and nutrient retention and support of biodiversity
This project builds on our initial findings to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus. The approach:
- Defines a framework for study design that is transferrable to other physiographic and agricultural settings
- Demonstrates how detailed understanding of processes can lead to improved indicators of retired riparian corridor effectiveness
- Produces new understanding of the role of retired riparian corridors in improvement of water and stream biota quality. In addition, this project proposes a biotic response as a critical component of assessing the effects of retired lands.
- Improves understanding of the effect of within ditch vegetation on sediment and nutrient retention, and the relation to biodiversity and stream organism health
This project demonstrates an integrated USGS approach to watershed-scale studies, involves USGS scientists from several Science Centers and National Programs, and is conducted in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies. This project addresses the Midwest Area Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices Initiative Themes of Watershed Resilience, Ecosystem Services, and Wildlife and Human Health, and addresses the Energy theme by addressing age of retirement and continuity of retired lands.
Research Approach
From the previously-studied Minnesota River basins (Christensen and others, 2009) a series of subbasins were selected to isolate the issues of hydrogeology and buffer characteristics. In order to focus on the impact of buffer character, sites will be selected that involve primarily cropland agriculture. Sub-basins will be chosen to provide a range of (1) time of retirement and (2) hydrogeologic conditions, at the same time controlling for other issues that might complicate the perceived response. Selected basins will be evaluated in terms of:
- Extent and duration of agricultural land retirement
- Hydrogeology
- Artificial drainage
- Agricultural practice
- Relation of streams to buffers, tile-drains, and agricultural fields
Data collection and sampling design includes:
Ecosystem Quality
- Water quality samples (Stream water, Groundwater, Tile-drained water)
- Water quality components (Nutrients, Suspended sediment concentration), including real-time water-quality monitoring
- Biological sampling and lipid analysis of algae, insects, and fish
- Organism health
- Food sources
- Stalbe isotopic (C & N) analysis of fish and insects
- Food source
- Food chain length
Sediment Characterization
- Sediment samples from multiple flow events
- Collection of sediment source samples
- Samples to be analyzed by USGS labs (Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Lab, Organic Geochemistry Research Lab, Kentucky Sediment Lab, Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Lab, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) Lipid Lab, National Water Quality Lab)
Photo credits:
U.S. Geological field crew collects sample in a tributary of the Minnesota River Basin, 2008 (photo by Victoria Christensen)
U.S. Geological Survey field crew sampling invertebrates at South Branch Rush River, MN, 2006 (photo by: Victoria Christensen, U.S. Geological Survey)
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Migratory bird habitat in relation to tile drainage and poorly drained hydrologic soil groups
The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is home to more than 50% of the migratory waterfowl in North America. Although the PPR provides an abundance of temporary and permanent wetlands for nesting and feeding, increases in commodity prices and agricultural drainage practices have led to a trend of wetland drainage. The Northern Shoveler is a migratory dabbling duck species that uses wetland habitats andAssessment of conservation easements, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids in West Fork Beaver Creek, Minnesota, 1999-2012
This study examined conservation easements and their effectiveness at reducing phosphorus and solids transport to streams. The U.S. Geological Survey cooperated with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and worked collaboratively with the Hawk Creek Watershed Project to examine the West Fork Beaver Creek Basin in Renville County, which has the largest number of Reinvest In Minnesota lanRelations between retired agricultural land, water quality, and aquatic-community health, Minnesota River Basin
The relative importance of agricultural land retirement on water quality and aquatic-community health was investigated in the Minnesota River Basin. Eighty-two sites, with drainage areas ranging from 4.3 to 2200 km2, were examined for nutrient concentrations, measures of aquatic-community health (e.g., fish index of biotic integrity [IBI] scores), and environmental factors (e.g., drainage area andWater-Quality and Biological Characteristics and Responses to Agricultural Land Retirement in Three Streams of the Minnesota River Basin, Water Years 2006-08
Water-quality and biological characteristics in three streams in the Minnesota River Basin were assessed using data collected during water years 2006-08. The responses of nutrient concentrations, suspended-sediment concentrations, and biological characteristics to agricultural land retirement also were assessed. In general, total nitrogen, suspended-sediment, and chlorophyll-a concentrations, andEstimated Nutrient Concentrations and Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring in the Eucha-Spavinaw Basin, Northwestern Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma, 2004-2007
The Eucha-Spavinaw basin is the source of water for Lake Eucha and Spavinaw Lake, which are part of the water supply for the City of Tulsa. The City of Tulsa has received complaints of taste and odor in the finished drinking water because of deteriorating water quality. The deterioration is largely because of algal growth from the input of nutrients from the Eucha-Spavinaw basin. The U.S. GeologicNutrients, suspended sediment, and pesticides in water of the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota and North Dakota, 1990-2004
Nutrient, suspended sediment, and pesticide data from 1990 through 2004 in the Red River of the North Basin were compiled, summarized, and compared to historical data. Streamflow varied widely throughout the basin during the 1990-2004 study period. For 19 of 22 streamflow sites, median annual streamflow during the study period exceeded the long-term average streamflow. High streamflow can have a sReal-time water quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate nutrient and bacteria concentrations in Kansas streams
An innovative approach currently is underway in Kansas to estimate and monitoring constituent concentrations in streams. Continuous in-stream water-quality monitors are installed at selected U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging stations to provide real-time measurement of specific conductance, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and total chlorophyll. In addition, periodic water saRegression analysis and real-time water-quality monitoring to estimate constituent concentrations, loads, and yields in the Little Arkansas River, south-central Kansas, 1995-99
Water from the Little Arkansas River is used as source water for artificial recharge to the Equus Beds aquifer, which provides water for the city of Wichita in south-central Kansas. To assess the quality of the source water, continuous in-stream water-quality monitors were installed at two U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging stations to provide real-time measurement of specific conductance, pH, w - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.