Nitrate Leaching in the SWV-GWMA: What we have learned from adding stable isotopes into our monitoring.

The South Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area (SWV-GWMA) was created to address high nitrate levels in wells within the area.  Since 2004, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has been monitoring well nitrate levels and working with farmers to encourage best management practices to reduce nitrate leaching.  In 2012, we have partnered with ODEQ by including stable isotope analysis of water and nitrate in their well monitoring program, and conducting field-level leaching studies in the SWV-GWMA.  In this presentation, we are sharing with ODEQ hydrologist the insights we have gained from adding stable isotope analysis to these research efforts which have resulted in 4 publication.  

Impact/Purpose

The South Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area (SWV-GWMA) was created to address high nitrate levels in wells within the area.  Since 2004, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has been monitoring well nitrate levels and working with farmers to encourage best management practices to reduce nitrate leaching.  In 2012, we have partnered with ODEQ by including stable isotope analysis of water and nitrate in their well monitoring program, and conducting field-level leaching studies in the SWV-GWMA.  In this presentation, we are sharing with ODEQ hydrologist the insights we have gained from adding stable isotope analysis to these research efforts. 

Citation

Weitzman, J., R. Brooks, AND J. Compton. Nitrate Leaching in the SWV-GWMA: What we have learned from adding stable isotopes into our monitoring. Informal invited presentation to Oregon DEQ hydrology group, Teams, OR, July 15, 2024.