Volume 10 | October 2021
Ohio Water Resources Center Newsletter
From Our Directors
The classic U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website for accessing streamflow stage and discharge information will be changing soon as part of a National Water Information System (NWIS) modernization effort. The legacy real-time pages have been around for about 25 years and have served us well. However, they are outdated, not mobile device friendly, and for some users, difficult to navigate.

Over the past few years, the USGS has been modernizing these pages into what will be called Water Data for the Nation’s Next Generation (NextGen) Monitoring Location Pages. These NextGen web pages will provide the same excellent USGS water data, but the pages will be more user-friendly and emphasize a mobile-first platform. The image above is an example of one of these monitoring pages for a steam in Saginaw County, Michigan. The NextGen pages will “go live” and be the default view starting on October 1, 2021. The legacy pages will remain available until January 1, 2023 when they will be permanently retired.
To learn more about the changes, the USGS is hosting a webinar on October 13 at 1 pm EST. Register here or e-mail: WDFN@usgs.gov. The original USGS article containing more information about the NextGen launch can be found here.

Additionally, the USGS National Water Dashboard is now available. This dashboard will be the primary tool for exploring USGS gage data by fulfilling the goal of web page modernization along with a more mobile-friendly interface. The Dashboard allows users to navigate through a wide range of water information. This modernization is an effort to provide timely and accurate water data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Spotlight
Capillary Trapping of Buoyant Particles by Cylindrical Collectors and Its Application in Transport of Floating Fertilizers in Overland Flow
Dr. Lei Wu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Ohio University conducted an Ohio Water Resources Center funded project via a USGS 104(b) subaward. This project attempts to better understand an overlooked particle capture mechanism - capillary attraction, which plays an important role in dictating interactions between floating particles and emergent vegetation. The findings of this project shed light on how the design of granular fertilizer influences their transport in surface runoff.
Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) have been recognized as a promising way to increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization, while also reducing nutrient pollution from over fertilization. However, unique polymers / film coatings used with some CRFs make them buoyant during surface runoff. This poses a challenge in predicting their mobility in the field. This project investigated the key factors which govern the capillary attraction between floating particles and stems in a modeled vegetation system, see figure on the left for the model system. A modified particle collision model was proposed and validated to predict the capture efficiency (𝜂!) of particles by emerging stems under various experimental conditions. The results show that the 𝜂! remains constant when the bulk flow velocity is smaller than the particle escape velocity. The 𝜂! decreases drastically with an increase in the bulk flow velocity. In addition to flow velocity, particle size also had an impact on 𝜂! and with increased flow velocity, 𝜂! decreases exponentially. These results provide useful insights on the optimization of CRFs size and density as well as their applications in vegetative filter strips.
If you have any questions, email OhioWRC@osu.edu.
News Updates
Have a news article you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!
Opportunities
Ohio EPA: Subgrants Awarded under Provisions of Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act Request for Proposals (RFP)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals for subgrants awarded under provisions of Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. These will be awarded for projects that restore Ohio streams, reduce nonpoint source pollutants such as nutrients, sediment and bacteria, improve stream and riparian habitat and/or reverse the impacts of stream hydromodification. Section 319 grant applications must be submitted to Ohio EPA by the close of business October 18, 2021 and must be complete to be considered for funding. For more information regarding the proposal requirements and application form please visit here.
Earth Science Applications: Water Resources
NASA is currently seeking (in-person) reviewers for Earth Science Applications: Water Resources. Details and application form here.
UCOWR Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education
Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) is interested in publishing research resulting from 104b and 104g grants in the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education (JCWRE). JCWRE is published three times per year (April, August & December) and is available on Wiley Online Library. Manuscripts may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted by October 15 to be considered for the April issue; February 15 for August; and June 15 for December. More information about JCWRE, including author guidelines, can be found here.
EPA 19th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Request for Applications
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Award Program, is seeking Phase I applications proposing to research, develop, and design solutions to real-world challenges that respond to the needs of people across the U.S, including those in small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities. EPA is looking for research in the areas of air quality, safe and sustainable water resources, sustainable and healthy communities, and chemical safety. Close date is October 27, 2021. For more information visit here.
Call for Abstracts: 2022 Ohio Stormwater Conference
The 2022 Ohio Stormwater Conference is an annual conference dedicated to advance the knowledge and understanding of comprehensive stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, implementation and regulatory compliance. This year’s conference is being held May 11-13, 2022 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center located in Sandusky, Ohio. The conference is multi-disciplinary and is designed for all who have a direct stake in stormwater management, non-point source pollution or the modeling of urban water systems. This call invites experts from stormwater related organizations and disciplines to submit an abstract to present at the conference. For more information regarding the preferred topics for abstracts please visit here. Abstracts are due October 30, 2021.
To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources
Policy Update
Ohio EPA Public Notice: Proposed 'Amend' Rulemaking Governing Emergency Loans Rules, Contingency Plan Rules, & Backflow Prevention & Cross Connection Control Rules
Division of Drinking and Ground Waters (DDAGW) is soliciting comments on rule 3745-86-01, rule 3745-85-01, and Chapter 3745-95 of the Ohio Administrative Code. DDAGW has reviewed these rules to satisfy the five-year rule review requirements of section 106.03 and 106.031 of the Ohio Revised Code. OAC rule 3745-86-01 describes the terms and application of emergency loans. Comments are due by October 15th, 2021. OAC rule 3745-85-01 rule describes the requirements of contingency plans for community water systems. Comments should be received by close of business, October 18, 2021. OAC Chapter 3745-95 describes backflow prevention and cross connection control regulations impacting Ohio's PWSs. Comments are due November 4, 2021. For more information regarding these rules please visit here. Comments can be submitted by email to ddagw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov.
Ohio EPA DSW - Notice of Black River Preliminary Draft TMDL Report Comment Period
The Black River Preliminary Draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report is now available for review and comment. The Clean Water Act requires Ohio EPA to prepare restoration plans for watersheds that do not meet the State's water quality goals. A new TMDL report has been drafted to address the impairments found during sampling in 2012 and will replace the 2008 TMDL report. The preliminary draft report and fact sheet are available for review and comment here. Ohio EPA is accepting comments through Friday, October 22, 2021 until 5:00 p.m.
Ohio EPA DSW - Maumee Watershed Nutrient TMDL Project Draft Loading Analysis Plan Comment Period Extension
The Maumee Watershed Nutrient TMDL Project draft Loading Analysis Plan (LAP) is now available for review and comment.
This draft LAP is the third step in the TMDL development process. The LAP explains the following three important aspects of a TMDL project:
  1. It lists assessment units found to be impaired for a beneficial use designation (e.g., aquatic life, recreation, and public water supply) that the TMDL will address;
  2. How water quality restoration targets are set to directly address the recreation and public water supply use impairments due to HABs, and are protective of aquatic life use impairments due to nutrients; and
  3. It proposes a modeling method for the TMDL loading calculations.
Ohio EPA has extended the public comment period until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021 on the draft Loading Analysis Plan. Please visit here to see the draft LAP and to add comments.
Ohio House - Proposed Ohio Bill to Require Adoption of Certain Water Quality Standards 
House Bill 365 was introduced to amend section 6111.041 and to enact section 6109.26 of the Revised Code to require the Director of Environmental Protection to adopt rules establishing maximum allowable contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water and water quality standards for certain contaminants. These contaminants include per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Chromium-6; and 1,4-dioxane. The Director would be required to consider certain factors when establishing the MCLs and water quality standards, such as MCLs and water quality standards established by other states. The bill specifies that the MCLs and water quality standards must be protective of public health,
including the health of pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children.
Ohio House - Proposed Ohio Bill Prohibits Municipal Waste Discharge into Certain Ohio Waters
House Bill 385 was introduced to amend sections 6111.04 and 6111.99 and to enact section 6111.61 of the Revised Code to prohibit a municipal corporation located within the Western Basin of Lake Erie from discharging any amount of waste into Ohio waters. This bill requires the Director of Environmental Protection to revoke all water pollution
discharge permits (NPDES permits) issued to municipal corporations in the Lake Erie
western basin for their treatment works and sewerage systems. It prohibits the Director from issuing an NPDES permit to such a municipal corporation and prohibits any such municipal corporation from polluting the waters of the western basin.
Upcoming Events
ORBA Summit & ORBCRE Symposium
October 6-8, 2021 • Virtual
The Ohio River Basin Alliance Summit and the Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education Symposium will be a confluence of collaboration in research, education and outreach; accelerating progress and sharing successes in the Ohio River Basin. For more information or to register please visit here.
H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring Program Update
October 7, 2021 • Virtual
The Lake Erie and Aquatic Research Network (LEARN) will be hosting the first annual informational webinar for the H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring program. During this webinar, you'll learn how invisible wetland system processes can work to limit nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms, meet the scientists from throughout Ohio that are teaming up to monitor the development of nutrient retention in wetland projects, and see the diverse approaches that will be used to monitor wetlands into the future.
MORPC Summit on Sustainability
October 15, 2021 • Hilton Columbus Downtown, Columbus, OH
The Summit on Sustainability is MORPC's signature environmental conference, bringing hundreds of community leaders together to explore and share sustainable ideas and solutions, and to celebrate individual and collaborative sustainability efforts with the Regional Sustainability Awards. For more information please visit the Summit webpage here.
Ohio WRC and WMAO Water Luncheon Webinar – OWPA presents: The Why and How of Honeysuckle Removal Along Waterways
October 20, 2021 • Virtual
The Ohio Water Resources Center and the Water Management Association of Ohio are hosting a webinar presented by the Ohio Watershed Professionals Association titled: The Why and How of Honeysuckle Removal Along Waterways. Management of invasive alien species is a complex process that can be accomplished utilizing an adaptive and integrated approach. This presentation will discuss common invasive plants invading our riparian areas and best practices toward mitigating their impact. For more information or to register please visit here.
Fall 2021 UCOWR Roundtable Series
October 20, 2021 • Virtual
Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) presents a roundtable discussion centered on "Water Reuse". This discussion will be facilitated by Courtney Flint from Utah State University's Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology USU Extension. For more information on future sessions and on how to register please visit here.
November 10, 2021 • Virtual
UCOWR presents a roundtable discussion centered around "Communicating Agricultural Irrigation Research to Stakeholders". This discussion will be facilitated by Mallika Arudi Nocco from University of California Davis' Department of Land, Air and Water Resources.
WEFTEC 2021
October 16-20, 2021 • McCormick Place, Chicago, IL & Virtual
The 94th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference is planned for 2021! The WEFTEC Program Committee is planning for an in-person event if conditions allow. WEF will continue to monitor the situation. What we do know about WEFTEC 21 is that it will not be exactly like previous events and will be incorporating a limited virtual component.
FABE Fall Seminar Series: Sustainable Water Management in Human-Dominated Landscapes
November 2, 2021 • Agricultural Engineering 219, FABE Wooster 200 & Zoom
Over the last several decades, it has become clear that urbanization has had major adverse impacts on the hydrology and water quality of downstream water bodies. During this event Dr. McPhillips will discuss some of her work at the site scale evaluating biogeochemical function of stormwater detention and bioretention basins. She will also discuss insights at the city and watershed scale around types of green infrastructure being implemented, watershed-scale hydrologic function, and new strategies for planning implementation for the future. For more information or the zoom link email: francis.524@buckeyemail.osu.edu.
WMAO 50th Annual Meeting
November 3-4, 2021 • Crowne Plaza Columbus North-Worthington, Columbus, OH
Water is a dynamic force of nature. It literally ebbs and flows — in this direction and that one. Water is often changing when, where, and for how long it winds through our lives but all the while, it remains a constant aspect in the world we live. The Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) is hosting its 50th conference in 2021. Originating before the Clean Water Act was passed into law, WMAO has focused on Ohio's water resources and like water, has been consistently active and ever-changing in bringing professionals together for 5 decades to discuss and learn about the water issues of the day. Deadline to submit an abstract for poster presentation is October 15, 2021.
OSWA & OEPA: Utility-Scale Solar Site Construction Stormwater Management Webinar
November 11, 2021 • Virtual
This webinar is being presented by Ohio Stormwater Association in Collaboration with Ohio EPA. The speaker, Barry Fagan, is Vice-President of Environment & Infrastructure at Volkert, Inc. This presentation is provided from the perspective of a construction stormwater professional with experience on several utility-scale solar facilities in the wet, hilly southeastern US. Five areas of risk will be explored as well as a fundamental approach to managing stormwater that may be applied for success on all land-disturbing projects, regardless of their size or the type of infrastructure being constructed. For more information or to register please visit here.
River Network River Rally
June 4-7, 2022 • Washington, DC
Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups from across the US and beyond, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. The River Rally 2022 program will feature speakers celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and other clean water victories and center equity across all topics, while illuminating today’s most urgent challenge: climate change. The River Network is looking for workshop proposals that include a combination of instruction and interactive training, that leverage lessons learned and proven approaches, and involve engaging speakers. The deadline for workshop proposals is October 15, 2021.
Call for Special Sessions: UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference
June 14-16, 2022 • Greenville, SC
Universities Council on Water Resources and National Institutes of Water Resources are pleased to invite you to submit your proposals for special sessions for the 2022 Annual Conference. Proposal are due October 8, 2021. Special sessions are an important component of the conference and provide an opportunity to delve into current perspectives on a range of contemporary water resources challenges. We call your attention to a special focus on Water Resilience, to encourage conversations about how watersheds, ecosystems, infrastructure systems, governance structures, and communities can adapt and transform in the face of current and future stressors. Special sessions are not limited to this topical area. We welcome sessions that cover a range of water-related research, extension, and education topics.
Have an event you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!
Email: OhioWRC@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-2807
Website: https://wrc.osu.edu/
Address: 475 Hitchcock Hall
2070 Neil Avenue 
Columbus, OH 43210