Webinar: Stream channels and water quality

     The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place July 14 at noon will feature Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist, Iowa State University. Beck’s research focuses on the impacts that trees, forests, and forestry have on water quality and hydrology within agriculturally-dominated Midwestern watersheds.

     In the webinar, “Are Stream Channel Sediment and Nutrient Sources Masking Upland Conservation Progress?,” Beck will discuss a recent study of in-channel sediment contributions to phosphorus levels in water. Noting that there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the stream channel itself may act as a significant source of sediment and nutrients such as phosphorus, Beck has been working to quantify the sources of sediment and phosphorus at the watershed scale.

     “Water quality management takes more than in-field and edge-of-field practices – we need to start addressing the stream channel itself,” said Beck. “The stream channel plays a significant role in sediment and nutrient loading, but inflow to the stream and remobilization do not occur in a highly-predictable timeframe. Managing nutrient sources in uplands and riparian areas is very important but looking more closely at the stream channel will help us obtain a more comprehensive understanding of nutrient and sediment sources and impacts to water quality.”

     To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT July 14: Go to https://iastate.zoom.us./join  and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172.

     The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars

     A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.