CEAP Watershed Studies

About the Studies

Small watershed case studies are being conducted to complement the national assessment. These studies will provide in-depth assessments of water quality and other benefits at a finer scale than is possible for the National Assessment. Presently there are three CEAP watershed categories:

• ARS Benchmark Watersheds. These Agricultural Research Service watershed studies will provide information needed to verify the accuracy of models used in the National Assessment. Fourteen watersheds were selected with a focus on water and soil quality and water conservation as primary resource concerns on rain-fed agricultural land.
• Special Emphasis Watersheds established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service address specific resource concerns, such as manure management from animal feeding operation and water use and conservation on irrigated cropland. Ten special emphasis watersheds were established in 2004, with work designated for completion in 2006 and 2007.
• Competitive Grants Watersheds, established by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, will focus on understanding on how best to schedule and locate conservation efforts within a watershed in order to achieve locally defined water quality goals. Four project grants were awarded in 2004. Four project grants were awarded in 2005. Five project grants were awarded in 2006. Two project grants were awarded in 2007.

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Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Watershed Assessment Studies, December 2004 (400 KB)

Relevant Research Watershed Studies

The Relevant Research Watershed Studies are additional projects that expect to develop data similar to CEAP that will be available to the public. To be considered for the CEAP website, the study must be conducting research to assess the effects of conservation practices on a watershed or landscape basis.

USDA is not endorsing these Relevant Research Watershed Studies; they are listed solely as an additional information source to benefit those users interested in research projects similar to CEAP.

USDA-ARS CEAP Watershed Assessment Study Annual Meeting

Principal scientific investigators from each of the USDA-ARS watersheds meet annually with other CEAP scientists to share technical reports and other information from the 14 ARS Benchmark Watershed studies and other relevant research.

2006 Annual Meeting

2005 Annual Meeting

Locate the Watersheds