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Tag: KCARE

KWRI: Your Water, Our Focus

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

The Kansas Water Resources Institute (KWRI) develops and supports research on high-priority water resource problems as defined by the Kansas state water plan. KWRI is designed to facilitate effective communication between water resources professionals and to foster the dissemination and application of research results. 

The projects we fund represent key issues affecting Kansas water quality and water resources. These projects have diverse and wide-ranging subjects, including studies on the efficacy of new irrigation technologies, studies on river morphology, drought assessment tools, or water quality assessments. 

KWRI is committed to fostering excellence in research, at all levels. To that end, we are proud to support student research at different Kansas universities. Currently, funded projects provide support for eight undergraduate students, three graduate students and one post-doctoral researcher. 

This newsletter issue focuses on current KWRI projects. Take a moment to read about this important research that seeks to answer key questions about water issues for our state, including projects on harmful algae blooms, streambank stabilization efforts and riparian buffer strips. If you would like additional information about any project, please contact us at KWRI for more information or email the project leader directly.

Evaluation of the geomorphological adjustment of a meandering, alluvial river

Posted on by Melissa Harvey
Man stands in middle of river with long pole to install scour chains in the water
K-State professor Tim Keane installs scour chains in the bed of the Cottonwood River to assess bed stability. Photo credit: Kari Bigham

This study will measure the short-term, reach-scale impacts of streambank stabilization projects on a meandering, alluvial river that outlets into a federally owned reservoir. Continue reading “Evaluation of the geomorphological adjustment of a meandering, alluvial river” →

Determining if riparian buffer strip age impacts phosphorus retention potential

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

In total, 24 riparian buffer strips were surveyed and sampled along the Little Blue, Big Blue, and Republican Rivers. At each site, three transects were set up extending across the buffer strip from the streambank towards the crop field. A streambank stability assessment was performed at each transect, along with a plant survey. Continue reading “Determining if riparian buffer strip age impacts phosphorus retention potential” →

Stochastic Forecasting of Harmful Algae Blooms in Cheney Reservoir

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

Periodic Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHAB) in Kansas reservoirs such as Cheney Lake have the potential to produce toxins and taste-and-odor compounds that may cause substantial economic, public health, and environmental concerns. Continue reading “Stochastic Forecasting of Harmful Algae Blooms in Cheney Reservoir” →

KWRI focuses on Kansas water issues

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

The Kansas Water Resources Institute (KWRI) develops and supports research on high-priority water resource problems as defined by the Kansas state water plan. KWRI is designed to facilitate effective communication between water resources professionals and to foster the dissemination and application of research results. Continue reading “KWRI focuses on Kansas water issues” →

Monitoring the Effectiveness of Streambank Stabilization Projects in Northeast Kansas

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

Streambank stabilization projects represent a key element in the plan to reduce sediment in Kansas waterways and reservoirs. In this project, investigators worked to quantify the environmental benefits of government-sponsored streambank stabilization and restoration projects in northeastern Kansas, with a special focus on sites within the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Indian Reservations. Continue reading “Monitoring the Effectiveness of Streambank Stabilization Projects in Northeast Kansas” →

Quantifying Ephemeral Gully Erosion and Evaluating Mitigation Strategies with Field Monitoring and Computer Modeling

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

Soil erosion causes severe soil degradation and significantly contributes to soil loss in agricultural fields, with some producers losing substantial amounts of arable land each season.

Student uses backpack camera to photograph field
Experimental cameras were used to complete measurements of ephemeral gully erosion.

To combat this soil loss, it is important to understand the mechanisms related to ephemeral gully formation and location, as well as the geomorphological properties related to storm characteristics. This three-year project works focused on these goals, as well the quantification of soil loss in Kansas resulting from ephemeral gully erosion. Continue reading “Quantifying Ephemeral Gully Erosion and Evaluating Mitigation Strategies with Field Monitoring and Computer Modeling” →

Assessing the impact of constructed wetlands on nitrogen transformation and release from tile outlet terraces (TOTs) in Kansas

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

This project focused on the influence of tile outlet terrace (TOT) croplands on nitrogen and sediment fluxes. Specifically, researchers concentrated on three TOT fields, where the tiles drained to constructed wetlands.

In this course of the research, investigators measured water fluxes and water chemistry into and out of the wetlands during wet weather periods. Rainfall, water velocity and water levels were measured continuously. Automated samplers assessed water chemistry during storm events, and grab samples were collected weekly/biweekly from within the wetlands in order to understand wetland water chemistry variability. During the final year of the project, researchers continued collecting water samples and soil water in fields using lysimeters. They also completed a bulk chemical analysis of soil. These data were used together to separate storm hydrographs to event and pre-event water, to determine the sources and interactions of pre-event water and to develop a conceptual model of nitrogen transformation and flux for TOT systems.

Project Leaders:

Pamela L. Sullivan, Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas

Edward Peltier, Civil and Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas

From the Director

Posted on by Melissa Harvey
Dan Devlin

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are deep into the harvest season and winter is approaching. The changing season signals a busy time for KCARE: we are launching number of new projects, submitting reports, and there are many upcoming meetings and conferences. To keep yourself up-to-date, I invite you to follow KCARE’s new Twitter page, @KStateKCARE. Please send us your news and events so we can get your information out to our followers!

I want to particularly remind everyone about two upcoming events. The Governor’s Water Conference will be held in Manhattan on November 8-9. This years’ program looks outstanding, and I suggest registering as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Prior to the Governor’s Conference, on November 6-7, K-State will host a project meeting NIFA Ogallala Water CAP project meeting. Irrigation and water research and extension faculty from K-State and eight other universities will take part in the discussion about irrigation and water research. I am looking forward to seeing our results from 2017 and making plans for next year’s research and extension activities.

Continue reading “From the Director” →

KCARE has a new look

Posted on by Melissa Harvey

Kansas State University established KCARE in order to coordinate and enhance the research, extension, and teaching activities that focus on environmental issues relating to agriculture. KCARE supports research spanning multiple departments and disciplines: soil science, smoke management, cropping systems, water quality and irrigation, fertilizer research, and climate studies.new KCARE logo

Although the core mission for us remains the same, our look is starting to change. As a part of this, we are happy to share with you the new KCARE logo. This new design encompasses the connection between agriculture and the environment which is at the heart of KCARE. Any KCARE affiliates are invited to use this logo: as a link to the KCARE site on your personal or departmental webpages, on brochures or handouts including KCARE-supported research, or anywhere else you want to highlight our partnership.

If you would like to use the KCARE logo, please contact Melissa Harvey (mharvey@ksu.edu) for more information.

We have also launched a new KCARE Twitter account. Please follow us at @KStateKCARE to learn about current projects, events, or other news. Of course, we welcome your input: if there’s something you think we need to highlight, either on our website or on our Twitter account, don’t be shy! Let us know!

It is our privilege and pleasure to work with research and extension faculty, students, and members of our community to explore new ways to create quality solutions for the environmental issues our state faces now and into the future. Through our partnerships, we are helping Kansas agriculture remain successful and sustainable.