2016 AWRC Water Research Conference: Post-Conference Wrap-up
This year’s conference was one for the record books with the highest attendance to date! The conference theme was “Nutrients, Water Quality and Harmful Algal Blooms”. Over 160 people from research, state agencies, engineering firms and many others came to learn, network and share their insights from around the country.
Session Topics
The opening session covered the complexities of water quality management, and really set the stage for the rest of the conference. John Lewis, with the National Weather Service, gave us perspective on weather patterns and precipitation, which can have large impacts on hydrology and water quality. Next, Rick Cruse of Iowa State University (pictured below) discussed some of the major challenges that exist in addressing water quality problems. Then Heath Ward, a member of the Arkansas Nutrient Trading Advisory Panel, talked about how nutrient trading could play a role in solving some of our water quality issues.
During the rest of the first day, we heard talks about how nutrients get transported through different systems, how landscape characteristics across a watershed can influence water quality, and topics important to nutrient criteria development.
The second day of the conference was devoted to Harmful Algal Blooms and cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins are toxic compounds that can be produced by cyanobacteria, which are bacteria that have characteristics of algae. Top experts in the field Hans Paerl of the University of North Carolina and Alan Wilson of Auburn University delivered the keynote presentations (pictured right).
For the rest of the second day, we learned about techniques to monitor HABs and cyanotoxins, how lake managers can effectively respond to algal blooms, and some of the current regulations of cyanotoxins and the risks to public health. HABs and cyanotoxins are a growing concern in this part of the country. We’re grateful to all the speakers including those from other parts of the country who gave insight into what’s worked and what hasn’t worked in their regions.
A big thanks to all the speakers and session moderators. The success of this year’s conference lies with them!
Poster Competitions
This year we had several excellent poster presentations by undergraduate students in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program as well as graduate research students. There was close competition in both groups, and the top two undergraduate and graduate students were awarded with monetary prizes!
REU competition: Congratulations to Abbie Lasater and advisor Dr. Brian Haggard of the University of Arkansas for their poster titled “Sediment Phosphorus Flux at Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma: How Important are Internal Sources”. Second place went to Micalea Klaus of Ottawa University and advisor Dr. John Willson with their poster titled “Effects of Non-Native Vegetation on Aquatic Communities and Prairie Associated Amphibians”.
Graduate student competition: Congratulations to Elise Coffelt and Nate Weston and their advisor Dr. Sally Entrekin of the University of Central Arkansas who took first place in the graduate student competition for their poster titled “Restoration Proposal for University Stream and Surrounding Landscape”. Second place went to Bernardo Zacouteguy and his advisor Dr. Wen Zhang for their poster titled “Assessing Biodegradable Organic Matter in Source Drinking Water”.
Thank you Conference Sponsors
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the strong support from our sponsors. A big thanks to OTT Hydromet for sponsoring the Tuesday night social where attendees could have their fill of pizza and drinks. Another big thanks to Stream Smart, a program of Ozarks Water Watch for their support. Also thanks to Beaver Water District, CH2M, GBMc & Associates, Central Arkansas Water, Eureka Water Probes, Beaver Watershed Alliance, US Geological Survey and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
