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Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE)

About the Watershed Research and Implementation Partnership (WRIP)

On the right, a polluted stream. On the left, Big Creek's water is brown with siltation. Water sample jars are lined up.Twenty years ago, state regulatory agencies calculated that excessive pollutants like bacteria, pesticides and nutrients impaired 80% of Kansas waterways and 86% of lakes and reservoirs. In response, Kansas State University accepted the challenge and created the Watershed Research and Implementation Partnership (WRIP), an initiative as wide-ranging as the problem it seeks to resolve: restoring and protecting Kansas’ impaired agricultural watersheds.watershed specialists demonstrate how to set up a tire tank

It's a comprehensive program with substantial goals. WRIP was designed as a science-based and stakeholder-driven program resulting in sustainable environmental stewardship for Kansas water through research, education and implementation of best management practices (BMPs). We created an interdisciplinary program providing producers and landowners with outreach, financial assistance, and the most current research on watershed modeling, economic analysis, GIS mapping, and agricultural technologies. WRIP works hand-in hand with residents in high-priority basins to educate and implement BMPs to significantly improve Kansas water quality.

Smart projects support healthy watersheds

series of photos depicting the installation of a well pump and two solar panels on an existing windmill tower. The final product is a circular metal tank, filled with waterclick on the graphic to see a larger version

In the news

Eroding streambanks are a big cause of sediment loading in our waterways. Traditional streambank stabilization efforts can be extremely costly and time-consuming, so K-State researchers tried something new: woody revetments. While the project didn't provide the answers the research team was hoping for, they were able to take away some valuable lessons on the topic. After all, if at first you don't succeed ... plan another project!

Check out this publication about deciduous tree revetments on the Smoky Hill River.

 

One of our KCARE watershed specialists, Ron Graber, was a featured presenter in a recent EPA Water Finance Webinar. Along with experts from the City of Boise, Idaho and the Miami Conservancy District in Florida, Ron discussed how watersheds can benefit when municipal water treatment plants invest in conservation practices on nearby farms. This type of urban-rural partnership is an important way to identify alternatives for improving water quality and watershed health.

Our partners make the difference

WRIP includes partners from every stakeholder group: from national organizations to local citizens. Developed and led by university research and extension specialists at K-State, the program provides unique opportunities for participants to be vested in sustainable water quality. Creating relationships through trust and time, this partnership has significantly impacted Kansas water quality. With 20 years invested in this initiative, we are proud to empower citizens at every level to take decisive actions for sustainable water quality improvements across Kansas.

Examples of our partners are included below. If you or your organization are interested in joining us in our work to improve the quality of Kansas water, please contact us. We are glad to hear from you!

city of hays logopomona wraps logotwin lakes wraps logoBig Creek Middle Smoky Hill River watershed logo
city of Wichita logoKansas department of health and environment logoKansas State research and extension logoFlickner Innovation Farm logo
reno county conservation district logonational resources conservation service logoepa sealkansas water office logo