Kenall completed 13 watershed assessments as part of the planning phase requirements for both the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) and the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) within selected watershed projects across Arkansas. These assessments incorporated advanced hydrologic modeling techniques to evaluate water quality and runoff characteristics. The Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Water (SPAW) model was used to analyze the water budget at the field scale, generating critical data to characterize runoff and streamflow dynamics. The Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEPL) model was applied to estimate average annual pollutant loads, providing a comprehensive assessment of watershed conditions.

This work supported broader efforts to address water quality concerns and reduce the agricultural sources of nutrients and sediment affecting watersheds. In 2009, the Natural Resources Conservation Service established MRBI across 13 states to help landowners sustain natural resources through voluntary conservation measures. Using various Farm Bill programs, MRBI was developed to improve water quality, restore wetlands, and enhance wildlife habitats while ensuring the economic viability of agricultural lands.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) introduced NWQI to strengthen on-farm conservation investments and focus water quality monitoring and assessment resources where they would be most effective. Under NWQI, states selected target watersheds and carried out a “planning” phase to conduct watershed assessments for each site. The data collected during this phase guided requests for financial assistance to support the implementation of recommended conservation practices.

The results of these assessments provided valuable insights for designing effective conservation strategies, contributing to improved water management practices and broader ecosystem restoration efforts.