Agricultural Conservation Practice Effectiveness: Impacts Measured in the Outlet Larkin Creek Watershed in Northeastern Arkansas

In an effort to control nonpoint source pollution, conservation practices are used by farmers. Outlet Larkin Creek Watershed was used to determine the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices by measuring water quality parameters and comparing the percent reduction by the BMP tool (Merriman et al. 2009). The watershed is located in northeastern Arkansas as a subwatershed to the L'Anguille River Watershed. Weekly water samples were taken for water quality analysis prior to (2010) and after (2012-2014) conservation practices were implemented. Analyses were conducted with water quality parameters as well as aquatic and sediment toxicity bioassays. Overall, results of this study show the effectiveness of conservation practices implemented in this watershed at reducing sediment load and nutrients in the water column for the ecological integrity of the watershed. We believe from the results of this study that the reduction of nutrients and sediments can continue if agencies and farmers work together.