Water

Events

Hooked on Ice Fishing

January 25, 2025

County

Kane

Integrated Water Management Workshop for Farmers and Landowners

February 26, 2025 - February 27, 2025

Blog Posts

The agronomics of N, P, & K

October 31, 2024

As harvest wraps up, many farmers are turning their attention to fall fertilizer applications. Managing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (...

From trees to trouble: how leaves harm water quality

October 25, 2024

The natural process of trees shedding leaves in the fall is the most visible sign of trees preparing for winter dormancy. Shedding leaves is a tree’s...

Farmers talking during a panel discussion in Knox County.

Edge-of-field considerations: A farmer perspective

September 10, 2024

Edge-of-field practices help reduce nutrient loss, improve wildlife habitats, and support long-term farm sustainability. A farmer panel hosted in...

Phosphorus and streambanks: a battle for cleaner waterways

August 12, 2024

Streams are an integral part of our ecosystem. They provide a source of drinking water and an important habitat for aquatic life, but they also drain...

More Blogs

News Releases

three people at conference who won award

December 13, 2024

Community garden, arts program, and environmental stewardship day win inclusivity awards
URBANA, Ill. — As an organization, University of Illinois Extension values inclusivity and acknowledges and respects the similarities, differences, and contributions of all people and communities in identifying new ideas and approaches. Extension staff strive to include everyone and create...

Water flooding and rushing through a drainage system in a farm field.

January 14, 2025

Explore integrated water management with Illinois Extension workshop
URBANA, Ill. — In times of changing environmental conditions, unmanaged drainage water with a lack of soil conservation practices can impact farm profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations. Understanding management options starts with knowing what’s happening out in the fields...

A group of people stand at the edge of a farm field

November 4, 2024

Scientists tackle farm nutrient pollution with sustainable, affordable designer biochar pellets
URBANA, Ill. — What if farmers could not only prevent excess phosphorus from polluting downstream waterways, but also recycle that nutrient as a slow-release fertilizer, all without spending a lot of money? In a first-of-its-kind...

October 21, 2024

Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients
URBANA, Ill. — What happens to ibuprofen after it eases your throbbing headache? Like many pharmaceuticals, it can remain in an active form when our bodies flush it out. That’s a problem, because although wastewater treatment plants are good at reducing nutrient pollutants in water,...

More News

Videos

Planning a Multipurpose Pond

Thinking about building a pond on your property for wildlife, fishing, livestock, storm water containment, fire protection, or other reasons? Not sure where to start on site selection, sizing, estimating drainage area, overflow needs, embankment requirements, etc.? Explore important...

What is a Saturated Buffer and How Does it Work to Improve Water Quality?

Saturated buffers are an edge-of-field option farmers can apply to reduce the amount of nitrogen runoff in water leaving their fields. Illinois Extension watershed outreach associates explain how bioreactors work to remove nitrogen and improve water quality.