Spatiotemporal Variability of Water Quality and Stable Water Isotopes in an Intensively Managed Prairie Watershed

Abstract

Eutrophication, has been identified as an important water quality issue for freshwater systems (Barlow, et al., 2004). Factors impacting watershed management in Prairie landscapes include extensive land drainage networks (Seine-Rat River Conservation District, 2009), non point source loading from land use practices (Kaste, et al., 2006), and lack of water quality data (Dawson, et al., 2012). Studies indicate that watershed analysis and data collection can become less intensive and more reliable as stable water isotopic ratios offer high spatial and temporal resolution (Dawson, et al., 2012).The overall goal of this research was to examine the spatiotemporal variability and usefulness of stable water isotopes in a typical, intensively managed Prairie watershed by: 1. Assessing the differences in stable water isotopic ratios between natural waterways and artificial waterways such as drains and diversions 2. Quantifying the strength of the relationship between topographic and land use characteristics and stable water isotopic ratios 3. Predicting water quality (PO concentrations) using stable water isotopic ratios.