Arkansas Water Resources Center

Join us for the June Arkansas Water Webinar!

Thursday, June 18, noon-1 p.m.

Participants will hear how researchers have studied Brewer Lake since 2019 to address water quality challenges including harmful algal blooms and taste-odor issues. The presentation will cover how seasonal lake mixing drives nutrient cycling from both the surrounding watershed and bottom sediments, and how this research has led to improved drinking water treatment and a watershed management plan showing how scientific partnerships with water utilities can strengthen long-term source water protection.

Learn more and register here: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zzKkoHJwTfuchatBbXrSKg #/registration

Registration is open for the 2026 Arkansas Agriculture, Forests, and Water Conference!

Join researchers, policymakers, and community members July 28–30 for critical conversations about Arkansas's natural resources.

Register by July 10 for the early bird rate $120 and select a conference T-shirt. Students can register for a discounted rate of $50.

Learn more about the topics this year's conference will cover and register here: https://watercurrents.uada.edu/registration-open-for-the-arkansas-agriculture-forests-and-water-conference/

Reminder: May Arkansas Water Webinar Next Week!

Thursday, May 21, noon-1 p.m.

Participants will learn how land use, from urban development to agriculture to protected watersheds, shapes water quality across central Arkansas. Presenters will share findings from a three-year monitoring study comparing water quality across urban, agricultural, and drinking water watersheds in the Lower Arkansas River Basin, highlighting priority management areas and what the results mean for protecting drinking water resources for nearly 500,000 Central Arkansas residents.

Learn more and register here: https://mailchi.mp/bd23f1e73151/request-for-preproposals-104b-grant-program-16561063

Join our Water Currents E-Newsletter!

The AWRC publishes a quarterly electronic newsletter with information on recent research, conferences, and news from the Center and around the state in water resources.

Sign-up here: https://bit.ly/4hIECuR

Join us for the May Arkansas Water Webinar!

Thursday, May 21, noon-1 p.m.

Participants will learn how land use, from urban development to agriculture to protected watersheds, shapes water quality across central Arkansas. Presenters will share findings from a three-year monitoring study comparing water quality across urban, agricultural, and drinking water watersheds in the Lower Arkansas River Basin, highlighting priority management areas and what the results mean for protecting drinking water resources for nearly 500,000 Central Arkansas residents.

Learn more and register here: https://mailchi.mp/bd23f1e73151/request-for-preproposals-104b-grant-program-16561063

From lab technician to Water Fellow to graduating engineer, Katie's time with the AWRC helped turn her passion for clean, accessible water into a career where she will make a positive impact. We couldn't be prouder!

"My passion is to make water more accessible and also cleaner… I just want to help people live healthier lives." – Katie McKay.

This May, Katie McKay will become the third sibling in her family to graduate from The College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Through biological engineering and hands-on research with the Arkansas Water Resources Center, she discovered a passion she never expected and a career dedicated to something the world can't live without: clean, accessible water.

Read more here: https://news.uark.edu/articles/81105/charting-new-waters-third-mckay-sibling-finds-her-own-engineering-path-at-u-of-a

Watch the Arkansas Water Resources Center Webinar next Thursday, April 16th at 12 PM! IRWP's Director of Restoration, Annie Sales, and Chris Herrera, Stormwater Coordinator for the City of Springdale, AR - Mayor's Office, will share on "Retrofitting the Urban Landscape for Water Quality"

This webinar focuses on practical retrofit strategies that can be integrated into built urban environments. Topics include diverting downspouts into landscaping, converting parking islands into rain gardens, retrofitting detention and retention ponds, naturalizing stream corridors, and restoring floodplains.

In addition to design considerations, the presenters will discuss how projects move from concept to construction, including regulatory drivers, partnerships between municipalities and watershed organizations, funding and phasing, and long-term maintenance.

Incremental, distributed retrofits across public and private lands can reduce pollutant loads while also providing habitat, urban cooling, and more functional, attractive public spaces. While no single practice is sufficient, a coordinated network of green infrastructure retrofits can deliver meaningful water quality improvements alongside lasting social and ecological benefits.

Reminder: Join us for the April Arkansas Water Webinar!

Thursday, April 16, noon-1 p.m.

Participants will learn how reimagining existing urban stormwater infrastructure, rather than rebuilding, can reduce pollution and support healthier ecosystems. Presenters from the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and the City of Springdale will share practical retrofit strategies and real-world case studies demonstrating how coordinated green infrastructure networks can improve water quality while creating lasting community and ecological benefits.

Learn more and register here: https://mailchi.mp/a629db28254e/request-for-preproposals-104b-grant-program-16560123

Make a difference in your community!

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership and AWRC are hosting the 7th Annual Illinois River Cleanup at Niokaska Creek on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet fellow volunteers at 1850 E. Township St. in Fayetteville, help clean up the watershed, and enjoy a free lunch and raffle as a thank-you for your time.

Sign up at https://www.irwp.org/events/7th-air or call 479-203-7084.