Evaluation of the impacts of BMPs and tailwater recovery system on surface and groundwater using satellite imagery and SWAT reservoir function

For an agricultural watershed, best management practice (BMP) is a conservational way to prevent non-point source pollution and soil and water loss. Three BMPs, including tail water recovery pond, conservational tillage, and crop rotation, were evaluated in order to demonstrate the impacts of BMPs on water quality and quantity. Satellite imagery was used to estimate potential tailwater recovery ponds in this study. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to evaluate BMPs. Results showed that the use of conservational tillage reduced cumulative sediment, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) yields. In the crop rotation scenario analysis, it was found that sediment and flow were not sensitive to crop rotation management. The corn-soybean rotation scenario had higher TN and lower TP yields than those of the continuous corn scenario. Continuous soybean scenario showed the lowest TN and low TP yields, which may because of the higher nitrogen fertilization demands, greater crop yield, and greater residue of corn than soybean crop. Based on the SWAT model simulation results, the tailwater ponds can reduce sediment yield and improve groundwater storage.