Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2017SD266B

South Dakota Water Resources Institute FY2017 Information Transfer Program

Institute: South Dakota
Year Established: 2017 Start Date: 2017-03-01 End Date: 2018-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $32,113 Total Non-Federal Funds: $64,225

Principal Investigators: Van Kelley, Rachel McDaniel, David Kringen

Project Summary: The Information Transfer Program includes public outreach, planned participation in the annual Dakotafest Farm Show, field days, steering committee representation and active involvement in the Big Sioux Water Festival, interactions with extension specialists and local, state and federal agencies, participation and presentations at regional and national conferences, youth education, adult education, and university student training and education. The SDWRI also hosts the annual Eastern South Dakota Water Conference to convey information and research of regional significance to the public, state agencies, and other stakeholders. Outreach activities will include communication using the Institute’s website which contains separate pages for research projects, Institute activities, resources for water supply and quality relating to surface water, irrigation and lawn care, livestock water use, household water use, and groundwater protection. The Institute will additionally use the ABE/WRI Facebook account to communicate with stakeholders. The Institute will promote its activities and impacts through a biannual newsletter and by organizing, either as the lead organization or as a steering committee member, conferences, meetings, and festivals. Institute personnel and collaborators will promote their research findings in peer-reviewed journal articles, factsheets disseminated through iGrow, as well as presentations at conferences and meetings. The Information Transfer program will also include interaction with local, state and federal agencies/entities to develop management actions and solutions to water-related problems in South Dakota. The South Dakota Water Resource Institute (WRI) is represented as a non-core member at the Non-Point Source Task Force, which is administered by the SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Institute personnel will continue our strong collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to analyze and interpret information from ongoing research activities by the WRI and others to develop conservation practice standards. Publications, such as pamphlets, educational materials, reports, and peer-reviewed journal articless, are planned and will be disseminated in electronic formats through the WRI’s website and iGrow. Making this information available online supports the WRI’s mission which includes coordinating research and communication with stakeholders about water resource issues in South Dakota.