A COMPARISON AMONG THREE WATERWAYS IN THE UPPER WATERSHED OF THE STRAWBERRY RIVER, FULTON CO, AR, WITH CURRENT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IMPLEMENTATION

Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) are continually studied in an effort to limit potential negative impacts to natural water resources. Many BMPs are intended to control soil erosion and limit harmful effects linked to excess sediment in waterways. These practices have been shown to be effective at preserving natural water quality. This four and a half year study is focused on six sites, three upstream of BMP implementation sites and three downstream, located in the upper watershed of the Strawberry River, Fulton County, AR. Implemented BMPs include the exclusion of cattle from waterways, providing alternative water sources, and use of no-till method to plant pasture grasses. Preliminary data collected from six months of intensive bi-weekly samples and one year of monthly samples are summarized with a comparison among collection sites. Water quality parameters include total suspended solids, turbidity, Escherichia coli, and nutrients (ortho-phosphates, nitrates and nitrites). Additional parameters include fall and spring benthic macro-invertebrate monitoring. Preliminary results of benthic surveys indicate differences in richness, diversity, and Ephemeroptera Plectopera Trichoptera (EPT) scores among sites. Two waterways in 2009 collections had EPT scores of 9 or higher indicating no significant water quality impairment. The third waterway had a reduced EPT score of 4 for both the upper and lower sites indicating more impairment than the other two waterways. Results indicate that unique characteristics of each stream emphasize the importance of upstream/downstream sampling to determine effectiveness of agricultural BMPs. Even with similar land use patterns surrounding each waterway in the study area, long term comparisons to determine efficacy of implemented BMP must be determine with upstream/downstream comparisons.