| Title: | The cost of cleaner water: Assessing agricultural pollution reduction at the watershed scale |
| Authors: | Secchi, S., P.W. Gassman, M. Jha, L. Kurkalova, H.H. Feng, T. Campbell and C.L. Kling |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Journal: | Journal of Soil and Water Conservation |
| Volume (Issue): | 62(1) |
| Pages: | 10-21 |
| Article ID: | |
| DOI: | |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | http://www.jswconline.org/content/62/1/10.short |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic and pollutant |
| Primary Application Category: | BMP and/or cropping system assessment |
| Secondary Application Category: | economic assessment |
| Watershed Description: | 2376 km^2 Floyd, 2452 km^2 Monona, 9203 km^2 Little Sioux, 2820 km^2 Boyer, 7718 km^2 Nishnabotna, 2051 km^2 Nodaway, 37496 km^2 Des Moines, 11246 km^2 Skunk, 32796 km^2 Iowa, 6582 km^2 Wapsipinicon, 4827 km^2 Maquoketa, 4400 km^2 Turkey, and 2569 km^2 Upper Iowa Rivers, located in Iowa, U.S. |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | |
| Abstract: | Nonpoint source pollution in intensively managed agricultural landscapes is of great concern to the general population, farmers and policymakers, as it impacts local water quality and can have large downstream effects, as in the case of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. In this study, we outline a methodology to simultaneously assess economic costs and water quality benefits associated with the hypothetical placement of a broad set of conservation practices. The study, performed for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, assesses thirteen major subbasins in Iowa by interfacing economic modes with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. The conservation practices analyzed include land set-aside, terraces, grassed waterways, contouring, conservation tillage, and a simple nutrient reduction strategy. Annaul costs range from $300 to $597 million. Predicted sediment, total phosphorus (P), and nitrate decreases range from six to 65 percent, 28 to 59 percent, and six to 20 percent, respectively, relative to the baseline. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | Best management practices, economic costs, nonpoint source pollution, SWAT, water quality |