Oklahoma Water Resources Center

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Oklahoma Water Resources Center Strive to improve water quality and sustainable water use through research, education & training. invested in water resources research, education and outreach.

Established in 1965, the Oklahoma Water Resources Center (OWRC) is one of 54 institutes/centers in the U.S. Although headquartered at Oklahoma State University, the OWRC serves the entire state of Oklahoma. The OWRC strives to achieve high water quality and sustainable use of our region’s water through integrated programs of research, education, training and technical assistance.

Conserve water this fall & don’t rake up your leaves!Instead, add them to a compost pile, use shredded leaves as mulch, ...
10/26/2026

Conserve water this fall & don’t rake up your leaves!

Instead, add them to a compost pile, use shredded leaves as mulch, or mulch them directly onto your lawn. As they decompose, organic matter will be added to your soil – increasing soil water retention and beneficial nutrients and decreasing soil compaction and water runoff.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4eupKAy

SAVE THE DATE – The 2027 Master Irrigator Program will be on January 20th & 27th and February 3rd & 10th!Research shows ...
10/23/2026

SAVE THE DATE – The 2027 Master Irrigator Program will be on January 20th & 27th and February 3rd & 10th!

Research shows that in the High Plains region; precision irrigation use can increase water productivity by 25% (compared to conventional irrigation) by lowering water use 10% and increasing yield by 13%.

Learn how to use precision technology at this year’s Master Irrigator Program! Receive training on managing limited well capacity, pump efficiency & energy conservation, irrigation scheduling, soil moisture sensors, crop water use & irrigation planning, irrigated agriculture economics and more!

The first 25 registrants receive $2,000 upon graduation for reimbursement for precision irrigation technology and all OK participants receive additional cost-share eqip points!

Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/4160mt7

Registration is $100.

"Take half, leave half" land management strategiesTo maintain healthy livestock forage, aim to leave ~50% of forage prod...
10/21/2026

"Take half, leave half" land management strategies

To maintain healthy livestock forage, aim to leave ~50% of forage produced – 25% consumed by livestock, 25% lost by trampling, wildlife, soil etc. Residual forage supports plant health, soil cover and recovery.

When 50% or more of leaf volume is removed, root growth is affected. At 50% removed, 2-4% of growth is stopped, increasing to 100% of growth stopping at 80% + removed.

Monitoring rainfall & forage conditions can aid in grazing management.

Proper forage management supports infiltration, maintains root systems and speeds recovery time. One management technique to better distribute grazing is virtual fencing. Learn more about our Virtual Fencing project here: https://bit.ly/3N4YvPD

Beneath the Great Plains: The water that keeps agriculture movingThe Ogallala Aquifer is a major groundwater system cove...
10/19/2026

Beneath the Great Plains: The water that keeps agriculture moving

The Ogallala Aquifer is a major groundwater system covering approximately 170,000 square miles across the Great Plains. It provides an important water source for agriculture, communities and other needs throughout the region. Managing this shared resource requires cooperation among producers, water managers, researchers, policymakers and communities.

These groups will be meeting in April to discuss issues and identify solutions. Look for more to come in the upcoming months.

To learn more about the aquifer visit: https://bit.ly/4hXAZnh

Are you a producer in the Oklahoma Panhandle? Do you want to learn more about limited well capacity, soil moisture sensors, irrigation scheduling, crop water use & irrigation planning, and SO much more? Join us Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, & 10 in Goodwell, OK for the 2027 Master Irrigators!

Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/4160mt7

Did you know that as of 2018, Eastern Redcedar covered more than 11.12 million acres (4.5 million hectares) in Oklahoma?...
10/16/2026

Did you know that as of 2018, Eastern Redcedar covered more than 11.12 million acres (4.5 million hectares) in Oklahoma? From 2016 to 2018, satellite imagery showed Oklahoma’s forested area increased by 1.9%, or about 243,893 acres. Factors contributing to the rapid expansion include fire suppression and changes in land management.

Mechanical removal of Eastern Redcedar can improve water availability by increasing root zone soil moisture and watershed runoff. Following restoration, soil water storage in the top three feet of the soil profile doubled, while annual runoff increased nearly fourfold. In the Little River watershed, researchers estimated a 41% reduction in streamflow if grasslands were allowed to convert to forests.

To learn more visit: https://bit.ly/4hTuLEZ

Can you imagine your morning routine without water? Every year, Imagine a Day Without Water invites us to consider how c...
10/15/2026

Can you imagine your morning routine without water? Every year, Imagine a Day Without Water invites us to consider how crucial our need for water really is by visualizing life without it, just for one day.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Center is committed to delivering science-based, community-driven solutions to Oklahoma’s most pressing water quantity and quality challenges. Ensuring that Oklahomans just imagine a day without water.

Learn more about the campaign here: http://bit.ly/4mkuk5E

Extreme heat and limited rainfall can cause cattle ponds to become warm, shallow and muddy, while evaporation can increa...
10/14/2026

Extreme heat and limited rainfall can cause cattle ponds to become warm, shallow and muddy, while evaporation can increase dissolved mineral concentrations. Measuring total dissolved solids (TDS) can help assess water quality, with less than 3,000 ppm generally considered satisfactory for cattle and more than 10,000 ppm considered unsafe.

This is especially important in areas with higher natural salinity levels, like western and southwestern Oklahoma. Our CFSM project monitors natural salinity levels in southwestern Oklahoma. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3QzmOG0

If cattle hesitate to drink, show reduced water intake or water conditions change, consider testing the water and/or providing an alternative source.

To learn more visit: https://bit.ly/4ju4Wwl

As we get further into fall, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your lawn irrigation system!Avoid overwaterin...
10/12/2026

As we get further into fall, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your lawn irrigation system!

Avoid overwatering as your lawn enters dormancy by shutting off the automatic irrigation timer and irrigating only when needed.

Make sure to winterize your system before a hard freeze by:
– Draining back-flow prevention devices and exposed pipes
– Opening manual valves
– Consider hiring a professional to blow out the system with compressed air (DO NOT attempt yourself, if done improperly it can damage system)
– Drain and store all hoses, drip tape and other irrigation tools

Learn more about urban irrigation with Master Urban Irrigator here: https://bit.ly/3TwZFtu

Did you know our virtual fencing project not only improves water quality through rotational grazing and limiting cattle ...
10/09/2026

Did you know our virtual fencing project not only improves water quality through rotational grazing and limiting cattle in riparian zones, but also supports butterfly habitat protection?

Butterflies need diverse plants for food, shelter and water – with each species having specific needs. Virtual fencing can aid in exclusion of cattle to limit cattle grazing and increase plant diversity in areas of your pasture.

Some management practices that have been shown to aid in promoting butterfly habitat include:
· Implementing prescribed burning or similar management plans
· Limiting grazing using habitat exclusion zones (either physical or virtual fence)
· Maintaining ground cover with proper grazing

Learn more about the virtual fencing project here: https://bit.ly/3N4YvPD

New factsheet alert! Economics of Data Centers: Considerations for CommunitiesThis factsheet explores the anticipated ec...
10/07/2026

New factsheet alert! Economics of Data Centers: Considerations for Communities

This factsheet explores the anticipated economic impact of data centers for Oklahoma. It is a high-level introduction for communities navigating data center proposals, with additional fact sheets to explore specific topics to come. This fact sheet is informational only and does not indicate support for or against data centers.

Read full factsheet here: https://bit.ly/3VmnFjK

Address

Oklahoma State University Noble Research Center Suite 110
Stillwater, OK
74078

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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