LSUS Red River Watershed Management Institute

Amanda C. Lewis

Red River Watershed Management Institute, Louisiana State University in Shreveport,

One University Place, Shreveport, Louisiana 71115

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

The purpose of the LSUS (Louisiana State University in Shreveport) Red River Watershed Management Institute is to conduct research on the Red River and its watershed, establish public education and outreach programs related to wetlands in this watershed, and recommend and facilitate management alternatives for the watershed. The Red River Watershed Management Institute is a consortium of LSUS faculty working in cooperation with other universities and professional personnel from local, state, and federal government agencies collaborating in research, education, and community service/outreach related to watershed management in the area drained by the Red River and its tributaries. The Institute’s research in geology, hydrology, and biology provides information critical for developing resource management strategies focusing on the natural resources and biological diversity within the Red River Watershed.

LSUS in partnership with Caddo Parish has developed a long-term ground water monitoring well program, in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, to evaluate ground water resources as a sustainable source to aid in economic development. Caddo Parish has drilled and developed five wells in this initial phase. The Institute is monitoring monthly water levels and performing quarterly sampling of these wells for water quality analysis. The network of monitoring wells has become critical with the developing Haynesville Shale gas play. Haynesville Shale wells require significant amounts of water in order to be successfully completed. The second phase of this project will include installation of five additional monitoring wells.

The Red River Education and Research Park at Sunflower Point, C. Bickham-Dickson Park is a 585 acre wetland used for research and education and is jointly operated by the City of Shreveport and LSUS (Fig. 1). The Institute has developed a surface-water monitoring infrastructure network in the park. The park is also the site of a series of ground water monitoring wells in the Red River Alluvial and Wilcox aquifers. The a majority of these wells were installed using Geoprobe^® Direct Push technology, which allows for the development of small diameter, low impact wells used to characterize the subsurface geology and evaluate surface and groundwater exchange in the park (Fig. 2). These wells will be used to monitor water level and water quality.

In addition to monitoring groundwater and surface water in the region, the Institute has also been involved in monitoring and investigating ecological impacts and control measures related to invasive aquatic plants. Studies of invasive plants include new control methods and management plans for Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta). The Institute is also conducting a biodiversity survey of the flora and fauna in the Red River Education and Research Park to establish an ecological baseline.

The LSUS Red River Watershed Management Institute has been integral in bringing together university, state, parish, city, and industry to investigate water issues in the Red River Watershed region. The infrastructure is in place to provide long-term monitoring of ground and surface water in this region and through continued cooperative endeavors the Institute will continue its mission of research, education, and facilitating management alternatives in the Red River Watershed.

Lewis, A. C., 2009, LSUS Red River Watershed Management Institute: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 59, p. 435-436.