This action provides funding in the amount of $2,000,000 to the university of illinois to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america, under the infrastructure…

EPA Region 4 awarded $2 million to the University of Illinois on April 1, 2026, under the Geographic Programs – Gulf of America Program (CFDA 66.475) to investigate water quality and economic impacts of cover crop implementation in paired watersheds in southern Illinois.

The University of Illinois will install continuous monitoring instrumentation to track stream flow, nutrient levels, suspended solids, rainfall, and weather conditions while collecting detailed farming operation data including planting, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and harvest results. Drone imagery will measure cover crop biomass, monitor cash crop growth, and assess crop residue, supplemented by roadside imagery for non-participating fields. The project will operate over a one-year baseline period to characterize watershed practices influencing nutrient loss, then use outreach and financial incentives to encourage cover crop adoption on 25 percent of agricultural land in the watershed. A cost-benefit analysis will evaluate the feasibility and long-term value of adoption for farmers and stakeholders.

Anticipated deliverables include a scalable small watershed monitoring system that reduces costs and labor while providing high-resolution nutrient runoff data and validating USGS Super Gage measurements.

The award carries no sub-recipients. Performance occurs in Illinois with a period of performance from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029.

This action provides funding in the amount of $2,000,000 to the university of illinois to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america, under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america. The purpose of this award is to investigate the water quality and economic impacts of cover crop implementation within paired watersheds in using state-of-the-art water quality instrumentation. Continuous and high-resolution water quality data will be collected in key locations to determine nutrient losses in agricultural runoff water.activities:the activities to be performed include installing instrumentation to continuously monitor stream flow, nutrient levels, suspended solids, rainfall, and weather conditions, while also gathering detailed farming operation data such as planting, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and harvest results. Drone imagery will be used to measure cover crop biomass, monitor cash crop growth, and assess crop residue, supplemented by roadside imagery for non-participating fields. These efforts will help characterize watershed practices that influence nutrient loss, with data collected over a one-year baseline period. Building on this foundation, the project will use outreach and financial incentives to encourage cover crop adoption on 25% of agricultural land in the watershed, culminating in a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the feasibility and long-term value of adoption for farmers and stakeholders.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include development of a scalable small watershed monitoring system that reduces costs and labor while providing high-resolution nutrient runoff data and validating USGS super gage measurements. Using a paired watershed approach in southern illinois, IT will evaluate the effectiveness of cover crops in reducing total phosphorus losses, while also monitoring orthophosphate and nitrate-n. High-resolution data will be collected to link storm event characteristics with nutrient transport and cover crop performance, bridging the GAP between small- and large-scale watershed studies. Alongside the scientific assessments, the project will increase awareness and knowledge transfer on cover crops among farmers, landowners, and the public, while also evaluating the economic feasibility of adoption by estimating nutrient removal costs on both a per-pound and per-acre basis. As the intended beneficiaries, the residents and communities in crawford county, illinois will benefit from improved water quality and environmental awareness on the effectiveness of sustainable farming practices.