2 Advances and integration of water management techniques to enhance water security under increasing demand

We invite presentations on field, laboratory, and modeling studies that address water management. Presentations can include topics on water conservation techniques to strengthen the scientific rationale and quantify the impacts of both stress and management.

Monday, 9 March 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
RCC, 104

Land Use Impacts on Water Quality in Central Arkansas: A Three-Year Comparative Study of Urban, Agricultural, and Protected Drinking Water Watersheds

Paper number: 2-0
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Authors

  • Heather Black Presenting Author
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Hannah Reyes
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Adam Wilson
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Kara Pitts
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Michael DeAngelis
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock , Little Rock, Arkansas

Abstract

Agricultural expansion and intensification increasingly impacts water quality in the southeastern United States, yet comprehensive comparative studies across land uses remain rare. Understanding these impacts is critical for targeted watershed management and protection of drinking water resources for the growing population of nearly 500,000 people in Central Arkansas. This study presents results from a three-year monitoring program comparing water quality across urban, agricultural, and protected drinking water watersheds to quantify land use effects and identify priority management areas. Multiple sites were monitored bimonthly across three distinct watershed types in the Lower Arkansas River Basin: the Fourche Creek urban watershed, which filters Little Rock's stormwater through extensive bottomland hardwood wetlands; the Maumelle River protected drinking water watershed; and the Plum Bayou agricultural watershed. Comprehensive water quality assessments included field parameters, laboratory analyses of nitrogen and phosphorus species, dissolved and suspended solids, and bacteriological indicators. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in water quality among land use categories. The agricultural watershed exhibited the highest concentrations of phosphorus species, specific conductance, and total dissolved solids, demonstrating classic agricultural nutrient enrichment signatures. Urban watersheds showed elevated bacterial contamination with considerable variability among tributaries, indicating diverse pollution sources and opportunities for targeted interventions. The protected drinking water watershed maintained excellent quality at upstream locations but showed degradation downstream, with elevated nutrients and suspended solids indicating potential threats to drinking water quality. Multivariate analyses demonstrated strong clustering of sites by land use type, with large effect sizes confirming dominant land use control on water chemistry. Longitudinal analyses revealed contrasting spatial patterns: the urban system showed evidence of wetland filtration capacity with improving water quality downstream, while the protected watershed exhibited progressive degradation requiring investigation to identify pollution sources. Results identify priority management areas including urban tributaries with extreme nutrient loading, the agricultural watershed requiring best management practices, and critical reaches of the protected system needing enhanced monitoring and source control. This comprehensive dataset provides a robust baseline for evaluating future watershed management effectiveness and demonstrates the value of comparative monitoring approaches for identifying both ecosystem services and environmental vulnerabilities in rapidly developing southeastern regions.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026SE-411649

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