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Agriculture and the Quality of the Nation's Waters

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By Water Resources Mission Area March 2, 2019

Intensive studies by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project in agricultural areas provide insight into how agricultural activities have altered the natural flow of water and the way that agricultural chemicals enter streams and aquifers, and in particular how nutrients affect algal and invertebrate communities in agricultural streams.

We all have a connection to agriculture, which supplies a major part of the Nation’s food, feed, and fiber needs. Agricultural chemicals move into and through every component of the hydrologic system, including air, soil, soil water, streams, wetlands, and groundwater.

Media
Tractor pulling fertilizer on a new crop
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The results of these NAWQA agricultural-area studies are described in two USGS publications: Agriculture—A River Runs Through It—The Connections Between Agriculture and Water Quality (Circular 1433) and Understanding the Influences of Nutrients on Stream Ecosystems in Agricultural Landscapes (Circular 1437). Find additional publications under the Publications tab and presentations under the Multimedia tab.

Media
Map of River basin Circular 1433,1437
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map of the agricultural areas across the United States whose results are summarized in USGS Circulars 1433 and 1437.

Follow the links below to web pages on topics related to agriculture and water quality.

Island near Durango, Colorado

Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

The goals of the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) are to characterize multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to aquatic life (contaminants, nutrients, sediment, and streamflow alteration) and to develop a better understanding of the relation of these stressors to ecological conditions in streams throughout the region.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

The goals of the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) are to characterize multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to aquatic life (contaminants, nutrients, sediment, and streamflow alteration) and to develop a better understanding of the relation of these stressors to ecological conditions in streams throughout the region.
Learn More

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality

Sustaining the quality of the Nation’s water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and longterm...
Authors
Paul D. Capel, Kathleen A. McCarthy, Richard H. Coupe, Katia M. Grey, Sheila E. Amenumey, Nancy T. Baker, Richard L. Johnson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Water Science School
Filter Total Items: 102

Factors influencing ground-water recharge in the eastern United States Factors influencing ground-water recharge in the eastern United States

Ground-water recharge estimates for selected locations in the eastern half of the United States were obtained by Darcian and chloride-tracer methods and compared using statistical analyses. Recharge estimates derived from unsaturated-zone (RUZC) and saturated-zone (RSZC) chloride mass balance methods are less variable (interquartile ranges or IQRs are 9.5 and 16.1 cm/yr, respectively)...
Authors
B. T. Nolan, R. W. Healy, P.E. Taber, K. Perkins, K.J. Hitt, D.M. Wolock
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Environmental Setting of the Sugar Creek and Leary Weber Ditch Basins, Indiana, 2002-04 Environmental Setting of the Sugar Creek and Leary Weber Ditch Basins, Indiana, 2002-04

The Leary Weber Ditch Basin is nested within the Sugar Creek Basin in central Indiana. These basins make up one of the five study sites in the Nation selected for the Agricultural Chemicals: Sources, Transport, and Fate topical study, a part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. In this topical study, identifying the natural factors and human...
Authors
Timothy R. Lathrop
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Agricultural Chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04 Agricultural Chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04

Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, is part of an Agricultural Chemicals: Source, Transport, and Fate study conducted by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Water-quality samples were collected in Leary Weber Ditch and in the major hydrologic compartments of the Leary Weber Ditch Basin during 2003 and 2004. Hydrologic compartments...
Authors
Nancy T. Baker, Timothy R. Lathrop
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Environmental Setting of the Lower Merced River Basin, California Environmental Setting of the Lower Merced River Basin, California

In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey began to study the effects of natural and anthropogenic influences on the quality of ground water, surface water, biology, and ecology as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. As part of this program, the San Joaquin-Tulare Basins study unit is assessing parts of the lower Merced River Basin, California. This report provides...
Authors
Jo Ann M. Gronberg, Charles R. Kratzer
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Environmental setting of Maple Creek watershed, Nebraska Environmental setting of Maple Creek watershed, Nebraska

The Maple Creek watershed covers a 955-square-kilometer area in eastern Nebraska, which is a region dominated by agricultural land use. The Maple Creek watershed is one of seven areas currently included in a nationwide study of the sources, transport, and fate of water and chemicals in agricultural watersheds. This study, known as the topical study of 'Agricultural Chemicals: Sources...
Authors
Brian S. Fredrick, Joshua I. Linard, Jennifer L. Carpenter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Occurrence and transport of agricultural chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04 Occurrence and transport of agricultural chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04

Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, is one of seven first-order basins selected from across the United States as part of the Agricultural Chemicals: Source, Transport, and Fate study conducted by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The nationwide study was designed to increase the understanding of the links between the sources of...
Authors
Nancy T. Baker, Wesley W. Stone, John T. Wilson, Michael T. Meyer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Central Plains Water Science Center

Preferential flow estimates to an agricultural tile drain with implications for glyphosate transport Preferential flow estimates to an agricultural tile drain with implications for glyphosate transport

Agricultural subsurface drains, commonly referred to as tile drains, are potentially significant pathways for the movement of fertilizers and pesticides to streams and ditches in much of the Midwest. Preferential flow in the unsaturated zone provides a route for water and solutes to bypass the soil matrix and reach tile drains faster than predicted by traditional displacement theory...
Authors
W.W. Stone, J.T. Wilson

Environmental Setting of the Morgan Creek Basin, Maryland, 2002-04 Environmental Setting of the Morgan Creek Basin, Maryland, 2002-04

The Morgan Creek Basin is a 31-square-kilometer watershed in Kent County, Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Delmarva Peninsula covers about 15,500 square kilometers and includes most of the State of Delaware and parts of Maryland and Virginia east of the Chesapeake Bay. The Morgan Creek Basin is one of five sites selected for the study of sources, transport, and fate by the U.S...
Authors
Tracy Connell Hancock, Michael J. Brayton

Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones

No abstract available.
Authors
Michaela R. Johnson, Ronald B. Zelt

Evaluation of unsaturated-zone solute-transport models for studies of agricultural chemicals Evaluation of unsaturated-zone solute-transport models for studies of agricultural chemicals

Seven unsaturated-zone solute-transport models were tested with two data sets to select models for use by the Agricultural Chemical Team of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The data sets were from a bromide tracer test near Merced, California, and an atrazine study in the White River Basin, Indiana. In this study the models are designated either as...
Authors
Bernard T. Nolan, E. Randall Bayless, Christopher T. Green, Sheena Garg, Frank D. Voss, David C. Lampe, Jack E. Barbash, Paul D. Capel, Barbara A. Bekins
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

South Fork Iowa River watershed selected for a national water-quality study South Fork Iowa River watershed selected for a national water-quality study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying seven watersheds across the Nation to better understand how natural factors and agricultural management practices (AMPs) affect the transport of water and chemicals. Natural factors include climate and landscape (soil type, topography, geology), and AMPs include practices related to tillage, irrigation, and chemical application. The study...
Authors
M.L. Erwin, Stephen J. Kalkhoff
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Bogue Phalia watershed in Mississippi selected for a national water-quality study Bogue Phalia watershed in Mississippi selected for a national water-quality study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying seven watersheds across the Nation to better understand how natural factors and agricultural management practices (AMPs) affect the transport of water and chemicals. Natural factors include climate and landscape (soil type, topography, geology), and AMPs include practices related to tillage, irrigation, and chemical application. The study...
Authors
Richard Coupe, Paul Capel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Intensive studies by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project in agricultural areas provide insight into how agricultural activities have altered the natural flow of water and the way that agricultural chemicals enter streams and aquifers, and in particular how nutrients affect algal and invertebrate communities in agricultural streams.

We all have a connection to agriculture, which supplies a major part of the Nation’s food, feed, and fiber needs. Agricultural chemicals move into and through every component of the hydrologic system, including air, soil, soil water, streams, wetlands, and groundwater.

Media
Tractor pulling fertilizer on a new crop
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The results of these NAWQA agricultural-area studies are described in two USGS publications: Agriculture—A River Runs Through It—The Connections Between Agriculture and Water Quality (Circular 1433) and Understanding the Influences of Nutrients on Stream Ecosystems in Agricultural Landscapes (Circular 1437). Find additional publications under the Publications tab and presentations under the Multimedia tab.

Media
Map of River basin Circular 1433,1437
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map of the agricultural areas across the United States whose results are summarized in USGS Circulars 1433 and 1437.

Follow the links below to web pages on topics related to agriculture and water quality.

Island near Durango, Colorado

Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

The goals of the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) are to characterize multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to aquatic life (contaminants, nutrients, sediment, and streamflow alteration) and to develop a better understanding of the relation of these stressors to ecological conditions in streams throughout the region.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)

The goals of the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) are to characterize multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to aquatic life (contaminants, nutrients, sediment, and streamflow alteration) and to develop a better understanding of the relation of these stressors to ecological conditions in streams throughout the region.
Learn More

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality

Sustaining the quality of the Nation’s water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and longterm...
Authors
Paul D. Capel, Kathleen A. McCarthy, Richard H. Coupe, Katia M. Grey, Sheila E. Amenumey, Nancy T. Baker, Richard L. Johnson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Water Science School
Filter Total Items: 102

Factors influencing ground-water recharge in the eastern United States Factors influencing ground-water recharge in the eastern United States

Ground-water recharge estimates for selected locations in the eastern half of the United States were obtained by Darcian and chloride-tracer methods and compared using statistical analyses. Recharge estimates derived from unsaturated-zone (RUZC) and saturated-zone (RSZC) chloride mass balance methods are less variable (interquartile ranges or IQRs are 9.5 and 16.1 cm/yr, respectively)...
Authors
B. T. Nolan, R. W. Healy, P.E. Taber, K. Perkins, K.J. Hitt, D.M. Wolock
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Environmental Setting of the Sugar Creek and Leary Weber Ditch Basins, Indiana, 2002-04 Environmental Setting of the Sugar Creek and Leary Weber Ditch Basins, Indiana, 2002-04

The Leary Weber Ditch Basin is nested within the Sugar Creek Basin in central Indiana. These basins make up one of the five study sites in the Nation selected for the Agricultural Chemicals: Sources, Transport, and Fate topical study, a part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. In this topical study, identifying the natural factors and human...
Authors
Timothy R. Lathrop
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Agricultural Chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04 Agricultural Chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04

Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, is part of an Agricultural Chemicals: Source, Transport, and Fate study conducted by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Water-quality samples were collected in Leary Weber Ditch and in the major hydrologic compartments of the Leary Weber Ditch Basin during 2003 and 2004. Hydrologic compartments...
Authors
Nancy T. Baker, Timothy R. Lathrop
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Environmental Setting of the Lower Merced River Basin, California Environmental Setting of the Lower Merced River Basin, California

In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey began to study the effects of natural and anthropogenic influences on the quality of ground water, surface water, biology, and ecology as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. As part of this program, the San Joaquin-Tulare Basins study unit is assessing parts of the lower Merced River Basin, California. This report provides...
Authors
Jo Ann M. Gronberg, Charles R. Kratzer
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Environmental setting of Maple Creek watershed, Nebraska Environmental setting of Maple Creek watershed, Nebraska

The Maple Creek watershed covers a 955-square-kilometer area in eastern Nebraska, which is a region dominated by agricultural land use. The Maple Creek watershed is one of seven areas currently included in a nationwide study of the sources, transport, and fate of water and chemicals in agricultural watersheds. This study, known as the topical study of 'Agricultural Chemicals: Sources...
Authors
Brian S. Fredrick, Joshua I. Linard, Jennifer L. Carpenter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Occurrence and transport of agricultural chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04 Occurrence and transport of agricultural chemicals in Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, 2003-04

Leary Weber Ditch Basin, Hancock County, Indiana, is one of seven first-order basins selected from across the United States as part of the Agricultural Chemicals: Source, Transport, and Fate study conducted by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The nationwide study was designed to increase the understanding of the links between the sources of...
Authors
Nancy T. Baker, Wesley W. Stone, John T. Wilson, Michael T. Meyer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Central Plains Water Science Center

Preferential flow estimates to an agricultural tile drain with implications for glyphosate transport Preferential flow estimates to an agricultural tile drain with implications for glyphosate transport

Agricultural subsurface drains, commonly referred to as tile drains, are potentially significant pathways for the movement of fertilizers and pesticides to streams and ditches in much of the Midwest. Preferential flow in the unsaturated zone provides a route for water and solutes to bypass the soil matrix and reach tile drains faster than predicted by traditional displacement theory...
Authors
W.W. Stone, J.T. Wilson

Environmental Setting of the Morgan Creek Basin, Maryland, 2002-04 Environmental Setting of the Morgan Creek Basin, Maryland, 2002-04

The Morgan Creek Basin is a 31-square-kilometer watershed in Kent County, Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Delmarva Peninsula covers about 15,500 square kilometers and includes most of the State of Delaware and parts of Maryland and Virginia east of the Chesapeake Bay. The Morgan Creek Basin is one of five sites selected for the study of sources, transport, and fate by the U.S...
Authors
Tracy Connell Hancock, Michael J. Brayton

Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones Protocols for mapping and characterizing land use/land cover in riparian zones

No abstract available.
Authors
Michaela R. Johnson, Ronald B. Zelt

Evaluation of unsaturated-zone solute-transport models for studies of agricultural chemicals Evaluation of unsaturated-zone solute-transport models for studies of agricultural chemicals

Seven unsaturated-zone solute-transport models were tested with two data sets to select models for use by the Agricultural Chemical Team of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The data sets were from a bromide tracer test near Merced, California, and an atrazine study in the White River Basin, Indiana. In this study the models are designated either as...
Authors
Bernard T. Nolan, E. Randall Bayless, Christopher T. Green, Sheena Garg, Frank D. Voss, David C. Lampe, Jack E. Barbash, Paul D. Capel, Barbara A. Bekins
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

South Fork Iowa River watershed selected for a national water-quality study South Fork Iowa River watershed selected for a national water-quality study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying seven watersheds across the Nation to better understand how natural factors and agricultural management practices (AMPs) affect the transport of water and chemicals. Natural factors include climate and landscape (soil type, topography, geology), and AMPs include practices related to tillage, irrigation, and chemical application. The study...
Authors
M.L. Erwin, Stephen J. Kalkhoff
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Bogue Phalia watershed in Mississippi selected for a national water-quality study Bogue Phalia watershed in Mississippi selected for a national water-quality study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying seven watersheds across the Nation to better understand how natural factors and agricultural management practices (AMPs) affect the transport of water and chemicals. Natural factors include climate and landscape (soil type, topography, geology), and AMPs include practices related to tillage, irrigation, and chemical application. The study...
Authors
Richard Coupe, Paul Capel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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