CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
RIVER BASIN
(CMRB)
LTAR
USDA-ARS
Columbia Missouri
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Outline
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Setting and context
Infrastructure
Local expertise
 ARS
 Cooperators
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Current research
Plans
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Prairie Peninsula
Long Branch Creek Watershed
Salt River
Basin
Central Mississippi River Basin
LTAR (CMRB)
• Represents low-permeability soils,
prone to surface runoff.
• Originally prairie dissected by
wooded riparian river corridors. Now
the prairie is intensely agricultural.
• Primary crops are soybean, corn,
sorghum, and wheat.
• Low permeability means cropland is
not drained.
• Much of the stream network has been
channelized to combat seasonal
flooding.
• Erosion, sedimentation, and
streambank processes are important.
Goodwater Creek
Experimental Watershed
Claypan and Claypan-like Major Land Resource Areas
109 – Iowa and Missouri
Heavy Till Plain
112 – Cherokee Prairies
113 – Central Claypan Area
114 – Southern Illinois and
Indiana Thin Loess
and Till Plain
Distribution of claypan and claypan-like soils in the Midwest.
These are the major classifications and not the total area of all clay-pan like soils
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Missouri Prairie Foundation map
of original prairie extent
Rivers in the region
were extensively
channelized
between 1915 and
sometime after
1950.
2010
The North Fork
of the Salt
River
1950
Infrastructure
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Initial phase, ~1970
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4 nested design,
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Emphasis on precipitation, streamflow, sediment
MSEA/ASEQ projects, ~1990
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Finer scale
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Replicated 0.34-ha plots (Parshall flumes)
Up to 35-ha fields (3:1 weirs)
Emphasis on water quality
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At 12, 28, 72 km2 (5:1 weirs), and 195 km2 (USGS)
Both surface and groundwater
Pesticides and nutrients
CEAP, ~2003
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12 watersheds at larger scale, up to 1200 km2
Emphasis on effects of conservation practices
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Infrastructure – Weather
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Rain gage network of 9 in 72 km2
 Implementing
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telemetry
Automated weather station
 Downloaded
via telephone under PC control
 Data visible on web daily
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Univ. of Missouri Ag Weather Network
NOAA GHCN network
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Infrastructure – Surface water
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Continuing nested design at 72, 195, 466 km2
Parallel to 195 km2 scale
Re-commission 12 km2 scale weir
Retain 35-ha field weir
Installed 18 Parshall flumes with berms, approaches,
and samplers on 0.35-ha plots
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Plot sample structures
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Upstream view of plot sampler
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Infrastructure – groundwater
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Nests in 5 locations in 35-ha field
Nests of 5 wells screened at depths to 20-30 m
Much more information in earlier era
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Infrastructure – Collateral U of Mo
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Greenley Memorial Research Center
South Farm
Bradford Research and Extension Center
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center
Jefferson Institute
Midwest Claypan Research Farm (McCredie Farm)
Baskett Wildlife Research and Education Area
Tucker Prairie Natural Area
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Expertise
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ARS Scientists
 Hydrology,
soil fertility, soil chemistry, microbiology, soil
physics, sensor engineering, irrigation engineering
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University of Missouri Departments
 Soil
and Atmospheric Sciences, Biological Engineering,
Plant Sciences and Soils Extension, Agroforestry,
Forestry, Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, Water
Quality Extension
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Supporting Capabilities
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Water quality laboratory sampling and analytical tools
Conventional and GIS database, analysis, and
programming capabilities
Process-level modeling tools and support
Full range of fabrication capabilities
Sensor design, construction, and testing
Electronic systems integration
Field-scale farm equipment
Rainfall simulation facilities
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO
Plans
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Discussions with MU Water Quality Extension about
leveraging CMRB with an MU Water Center
SCAN weather station
Multi-location projects
Leveraging for competitive grants
Filling gaps in shared research strategy
 Relying
on cooperators
Translating Missouri USDA-ARS Research and Technology into Practice
A training session provided by USDA-ARS-CSWQRU, 10-11 October 2012, Columbia, MO