Application of animal manures in excessive amounts can result in surface runoff of nutrients and degradation of surface water. Best management practices that use chemical or by‐products to sorb nutrients can reduce nutrient loss from agricultural land. The objective of this work was to determine the ability of water treatment residual (WTR) to reduce N and P runoff from land treated with poultry litter. Different WTR (ABJ or WISTER) were used in two experiments different locations. Three WTR treatments were applied to plots that received poultry litter at 6.72 Mg ha−1 broadcast on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pasture. Treatments were broadcast (11.2 or 44.8 Mg ha−1), and a buffer strip (44.8 Mg ha−1) to the bottom 2.44 m of the plot. Experimental plots received simulated rainfall for 75 min at 6.35 cm h−1 within 24 h of litter and WTR application. Nitrogen, NH4, P, Al, and dissolved solids in surface runoff were determined. Mean dissolved P of 15.0 mg L−1 was reduced to 8.60 mg L−1 by the high broadcast and to 8.12 mg L−1 by the buffer strip ABJ treatments. Reductions in runoff P were attributed to amorphous Al in the WTR. Soluble NH4‐N was reduced from 33.7 to 11.3 mg L−1 (high broadcast) and to 17.9 mg L−1 (buffer strip) by ABJ. WISTER did not, however, reduce soluble NH4‐N or total N. Reduction in NH4‐N was related to cation‐exchange capacity of the WTR. Land application of WTR did not increase dissolved solids or Al in surface runoff.

Buffer length (0, 2.4, and 4.9 m), mowing height (1.3 and 3.8 cm), and solid‐tine aerification were evaluated to reduce pesticide and nutrient runoff from bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] turf on a Kirkland silt loam (fine, mixed, thermic Udertic Paleustolls) with a 6% slope. Nitrogen, P, chlorpyrifos [o,o‐diethyl o‐(3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinyl) phosphorothioate], and the dimethylamine salts of 2,4‐D (2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), mecoprop [2‐(2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxy) propionic acid], and dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐o‐anisic acid) were applied at standard use rates on plots located upslope of buffers. A portable rainfall simulator applied precipitation rates of 51 or 64 mm h−1 for 75 to 140 min within 24 h after chemical application. Soil moisture before simulated rainfall in July 1995 was low and pesticide and nutrient loss to surface runoff was <3% and 2% of applied, respectively. Highest concentrations of pesticides and nutrients in runoff water were 314 µg L−1 for 2,4‐D and 9.57 mg L−1 for PO4‐P from the treatment containing no buffer. In August, 165 mm of natural rainfall fell 7 d before simulated rainfall and pesticide and nutrient loss to surface runoff was increased to 15 and 10% of applied, respectively. Highest concentrations of pesticides and nutrients in runoff water were 174 µg L−1 for 2,4‐D and 8.14 mg L−1 for PO4‐P from the treatment containing no buffer. Overall, buffers were effective in reducing pesticide and nutrient runoff due in part to dilution. In most instances, buffer mowing height, length (2.4 vs. 4.9 m), and aerification did not significantly affect pesticide and nutrient runoff.

The decline of water quality in United States’ lotic ecosystems (streams and rivers) has been linked to nonpoint source nutrient loading (U.S. EPA, 1990). Determining limiting nutrients in streams is difficult due to the variable nature of lotic ecosystems. We developed a quantitative passive diffusion periphyton nutrient enrichment system, called the Matlock Periphytometer, to measure the response of attached algae (periphyton) to nutrient enrichment. The system is simple to build and provides quantitative nutrient enrichment of a surface for periphytic growth. The periphyton grow on a glass fiber filter, which allows complete recovery of periphyton for chlorophyll a analysis. A 14‐kilodalton dialysis membrane was used as a biofilter to prevent bacterial and algal contamination of the nutrient solution. We determined the rates of diffusion of nitrogen and phosphorus ions across the Matlock Periphytometer's dialysis membrane and glass fiber filter over a 21‐day period (42 and 22 μg/cm2/hr, respectively). We used the Matlock Periphytometer to determine the limiting nutrient in a woodland stream. Six replicates each of a control, nitrogen, and phosphorus treatment were placed in the stream for 14 days. The results indicated that phosphorus was the limiting nutrient in the stream for the period and location sampled.

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LGIs) developing regional and multistate, integrated research and extension projects to address the water resource educational needs of their clientele on a larger scale than state-by-state.The development of large-scale AREERA-funded programs called for a new paradigm for identifying urgent water resource issues and designing and managing multi-state water resource programs. Traditionally, many scientists, policy makers, and educators at LGIs have used a standard approach of identifying critical water resource issues through their day-to-day contact with state agencies and clientele. However, some programs developed in this way have been found not to be effective, producing little to show in the way of behavioral change (Mahler et al., 2005). Largescale AREERA-funded programs required new methods for examining similarities and differences in public concerns and informational needs among the states and regions.Consequently, early in the national AREERA-funded water program (section 406), state extension water program coordinators recognized the need to develop a needs assessment tool to identify the public's understanding, attitudes, and behaviors regarding various water resource issues on a state-by-state and regional basis. The needs assessment project originally focused on the states in the Pacific Northwest Region, then extended it, region by region, to states across the United States.The objectives of this national needs assessment survey project were (1) to develop a survey tool that could be used to collect baseline information about public attitudes, aptitudes, and actions taken toward water resource issues on a state-by-state or regional basis; (2) to use the survey to collect the baseline information andThe National Water Survey Needs Assessment Program Robert L. Mahler,* Michael D. Smolen, Tatiana Borisova, Diane E. Boellstorff, Damian C. Adams, and Nicola W. Sochacka ABSTRACT Water quality and availability are identified as priority areas for outreach and educational programs in many U.S. regions. This project offers a needs assessment tool (survey) that could be used on a state-by-state, regional, or national basis to analyze public attitudes, opinions, and behaviors as related to water resource issues. The information collected through the needs assessment can be used to identify objectives, strategies, and delivery modes for extension programs, and to evaluate the programs. The goal was to implement the needs assessment survey at 5-year intervals to: (1) measure changes in public priorities; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs; and (3) reprioritize, as necessary, the educational goals. A needs assessment survey template was developed and piloted in the Pacific Northwest. During 2001-2010, surveys were conducted in 41 states and six Pacific Island entities. Almost 11,000 surveys were returned completed for a response rate of 44.5%. Five-year follow-up surveys have been completed in five states to date. The results of these surveys have been used to prioritize extension water prog...