2006 OCLWA Conference Summary

Conference Presentations

The 2006 Oklahoma Clean Lakes and Watersheds Conference, Water: Multiple Uses, Multiple Issues, was held April 5-7, at Western Hills Guest Ranch, which sits on the bank of Lake Ft. Gibson, within Sequoyah State Park. The focus for this year's conference was looking at invasive species with talks on zebra mussels and blue-green algae during the first session, and a field trip to the Webbers Falls Power House Lock and Dam to see the multiple uses of water for hydropower, navigation, and the impact zebra mussels have on these systems. Graduate and Undergraduate students from both Northeastern State University (NSU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) participated in the field trip by “show and telling” zebra mussel monitoring techniques, visualization, and other ongoing research. Transportation for the field trip was provided by Northeastern State University . Thursday morning and Friday morning session presentations covered the many, and diverse, monitoring projects throughout Oklahoma with speakers from Oklahoma state agencies, federal agencies, and students.

This year's conference differed from previous conferences in several ways. OCLWA Conference Planning Committee solicited presentations in December allowing for a tentative agenda to be posted with conference registration information. We received positive feedback from the membership for the early agenda, so it's likely this change is here to stay. Additionally, we offered our second poster competition, however broadened the categories from undergraduate, to graduate and oral presentations. Our academic leaders did a great job in soliciting student competitors, with an attendance of more than 15 students. OCLWA is a great opportunity for students to meet professionals in the water profession, and gain experience in preparing papers or conducting oral presentations. Our student winners were for the Undergraduate Poster category; First Place went to Jonathon Hatley from NSU, Undergraduate Presentation; First Place was Brett Cooper from NSU, and Second Place went to Sam Ziara from NSU. For the Graduate Categories, no posters were entered into the competition, however for presentations; First Place went to Jonathon Fisher, Second Place Chad Boeckman, and Third Place to Kevin Burgess, all from OSU. Judging criteria was established based on criteria from the various national symposia. Cash awards and literature resources were among the prizes.