New Waves March 2009
Texas Water Resources Institute’s E-Newsletter
Breaking news about water resources research and education at Texas universities
- Rio Grande Basin Initiative project featured on HGTV
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A demonstration garden cared for by Sandoval County Master Gardeners in New Mexico was recently featured on the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) cable network series Gardening by the Yard, hosted by Paul James. On March 15, the Rio Ranchos Water-Wise Demonstration Garden was aired on an episode titled Xeriscaping, Drought-Tolerant Plants, and Wise-Water Practices.
- AgriLife Research drip irrigation project yields promising results
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The Texas AgriLife Research Station near Chillicothe is conducting a study to develop conservation tillage and water management strategies that enhance crop-stand establishment, water-use efficiency, and yield in subsurface drip-irrigated cotton production in the Rolling Plains.
- Lake Granbury Water Quality program advances educational efforts
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A team of Texas AgriLife Extension Service educators led by Dr. Bruce Lesikar, professor and associate department head in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, is continuing to educate residents in Hood County about water quality threats related to ongoing, nonpoint source water pollution within the Lake Granbury Watershed. Six training events in Hood County are planned between April 6 and April 17, and additional training is scheduled for June 1-3, 2009.
- TWRI grant recipient integrates composted biosolids in low quality soil
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Ronnie Schnell, now earning his doctorate in agronomy from Texas A&M University, recently worked with his advising professors Dr. Donald Vietor and Dr. Clyde Munster to incorporate composted biosolids in low quality soils to enhance water conservation and provide organic carbon and nutrients that improve vegetation growth and limit sediment loss.
- Water quality of private wells: A potential concern
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More than 20 percent of private domestic wells sampled nationwide contain at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
- Save the date
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As part of its Initiative for Watershed Excellence, the River Systems Institute, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute, Texas Riparian Association, and Texas Water Resources Institute, will host Land, Water, People 2009 on November 16-18, 2009 at the San Marcos Convention Center.
- EPA Water Quality Video Contest
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring a contest for educational videos that inspire people to help protect their streams, lakes, wetlands, and coasts. Two winning videos will be chosen: a 30 or 60 second video that is usable as a TV public service announcement and a 1 to 3 minute instructional video.
