Assessing the Impact of Maneuver Training on NPS
Pollution and Water Quality
James M.
1
Steichen ,
1
Barnes ,
2
Hutchinson ,
1
Hutchinson ,
3
Oviatt ,
1
Zhang ,
Phillip L.
J.M. Shawn
Stacy L.
Charles G.
Naiqian
Philip B.
1Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, 2Dept. of Geography, 3Dept. of Geology, 3Department of Geology,
1-3Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
4Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM), Fort Riley, Kansas 66442
Goal and Objectives
Hillslope Hydrology:
Technical Approach
4
Woodford
Decision Support Tool
NPS pollution generation, mitigation, and receiving water body
HIGH
Identify sources of NPS pollution resulting from military activities
and assess the impact of this pollution on surface water quality:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Identify military activities at Fort Riley that may contribute to NPS pollution.
Evaluate the effectiveness of riparian buffers.
Assess the effectiveness of low water stream crossings (LWSC).
Evaluate and modify a comprehensive riparian ecosystem model (REMM).
Evaluate the most effective means of crossing streams during maneuvers.
Model the contribution of NPS pollution on a representative watershed.
Develop improved field-portable sediment characterization sensor.
Fort Hood, TX
Hohenfels, Germany
LOW
DATA COLLECTION
Assess/Identify
NPS Pollution
Quantify
Vegetation
Impacts
Characterize
Stream
Sediment
Buffer
Field Study
MODELING
ASSESSMENT
Fort Riley, KS
MED
DESIGN
Real-Time
Sediment Load
Sensor
Buffer Model
Development
NPS Pollution
Modeling
Stream
Crossing
Evaluations
Fort Riley, KS
Environmental
Decision Support
Tool
Assess/Identify NPS Pollution
DELIVERABLE
Non-point source (NPS) pollution has been called the nation’s largest water quality problem, and its reduction is a major
challenge facing our society today. As of 1998 over 290,000 miles of river, almost 7,900,000 acres of lake and 12,500
square miles of estuaries failed to meet water quality standards. Military training maneuvers have the potential to
significantly alter land surfaces in a manner that promotes NPS pollution, resulting in the inability of military installations
to meet water quality standards and the decline of training lands.
Real-Time Sediment Load Sensor
Upstream
TRAINING INTENSITY
+
WEATHER
+
LAND COVER
+
SOILS
+
TOPOGRAPHY
Input training records in GIS database.
Collect environmental GIS data.
Run watershed water quality model.
Answer the following:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Given non-frozen soils, mean soil moisture of
23%, and projected vegetation damage (from
historical data), what is the potential to generate
NPS pollution given a 5 day mechanized infantry
battalion force-on-force exercise to be held in
training areas A-H?”
Riparian Buffer Study
Runoff Collection Sump
Upland Maneuver Area
Military readiness depends upon high quality training. Effective maneuver training requires large areas of land and
creates intense stress on this land. Environmental protection requirements place additional restrictions on land use and
availability. Because military training schedules are set well in advance to make the best use of installation training
facilities and National Training Centers, there is little flexibility to modify training events and maintain readiness. In order
to avoid maneuver restrictions, proactive management plans must be developed giving commanders the information
they need to assess the environmental cost of training and management practices that reduce the environmental impact.
Turbidity Sensors
The objective of this work, funded through CP1339 (Characterizing and Monitoring Non-point Source Runoff from
Military Ranges and Identifying their Impacts to Receiving Water Bodies) is to identify sources of NPS pollution resulting
from military activities, assess the impact of this pollution on surface water quality, and provide information for
commanders to lessen the impact of training on water quality. Investigators are assessing the impact of two major
sources of NPS pollution on surface water quality at Fort Riley, Kansas: (1) erosion from upland training areas and (2)
channel erosion at stream crossing sites. Project objectives will be met through a comprehensive analysis of military
activities, climatic factors and environmental response.
Researchers are using watershed water quality models in conjunction with remotely sensed information and a
geographic information system (GIS) to assess the impact of training on water quality, in particular on the amount of soil
erosion. A matrix of training intensity and weather will be created for assessing the environmental cost of training
maneuvers. In addition, researchers are collecting surface runoff at three buffer sites to determine the effect of
vegetated buffers for controlling NPS pollution and using new real-time data collection systems to assess the impact of
vehicle crossings on stream water quality and erosion dynamics at Low Water Stream Crossings (LWSCs).
Transmitters
Pressure Sensors
Downstream
Stream Stability Study
Runoff Flow Splitter/Sample
w/ Redistributer
Grass Buffer
Slope
Piezometer Wells:
Purpose: To determine whether channel
changes are primarily natural or caused by
human management.
Collect channel cross-section and
longitudinal profile.
Stream mapping.
Streambank
Select three representative buffer sites on Fort Riley.
Measure stream bed sediment size
distribution.
Develop/parameterize REMM for each site based on field data collection.
Compare Ft. Riley data with Konza Prairie
LTER data.