WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF ON-FARM STORAGE-TAILWATER RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

In Craighead and Poinsett Counties, Arkansas, agriculture is a dominant industry. Many producers rely on the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer for a reliable irrigation source. In areas with a higher soil clay content, groundwater recharge has not been suitable to prevent drawdown within the alluvial aquifer from increased groundwater pumping. This has resulted in a cone of depression in these counties west of Crowley’s Ridge. Many producers have implemented on-farm storage-tailwater recovery systems to utilize surface water for irrigation and to lessen groundwater usage. The purpose of this study is to identify the potential of on-farm storage-tailwater recovery systems to enhance surface water for irrigation reuse during the growing season. Seven tailwater recovery systems will be considered with different reservoir infrastructure, orientation, age, erosion control, etc. Water quality parameters include pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrate, phosphorus, ammonium, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and sediment (total solids and total suspended solids). These concentrations will be compared to advisory levels designated by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency. Data analysis will also consider on-farm reservoir water as a source of recharge water during the non-growing season in managed aquifer recharge strategies. Future development of these strategies could improve groundwater recharge and promote groundwater sustainability for areas predicted to have continued groundwater decline.