RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Nitrate abatement practices, farm profits, and lake water quality: A central Illinois case study JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation FD Soil and Water Conservation Society SP 296 OP 303 VO 55 IS 3 A1 B. Shankar A1 E. A. DeVuyst A1 D. C. White A1 J. B. Braden A1 R. H. Hornbaker YR 2000 UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/55/3/296.abstract AB Nonpoint source pollution from agricultural sources is the largest impediment to further improvement in surface water quality. This paper investigates the environmental and economic consequences of altering nitrogen fertilizer practices for a central Illinois watershed. A model of the watershed is employed to assess the impacts of the alternative management practices. The model incorporates heterogeneity of soil types and characterizes lake water quality as a weather-driven random process affected by production practices. Results indicate that improvements in surface water quality can be obtained while increasing farm profits by reducing nitrogen fertilizer application levels. Varying the timing of fertilizer application does improve water quality, but also increases the variability of farm profits.