Darrel Temple Recognized for Research Work

Darrel Temple, Research Leader for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit in Stillwater, recently received several awards recognizing his many years of conservation research work. Temple, who retired in August of this year, was presented the Governor?s Conservation Award, Certificate of Appreciation from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.

“Darrel’s many years of research work related to conservation practices like waterways, grade stabilization structures and watershed dams has greatly benefited Oklahoma and the nation,” said Mike Thralls, OCC executive director. “Darrel has been a great friend to the conservation partnership and we will continue to use his research for many years.”

Temple worked at the ARS Hydraulic Lab in Stillwater from 1976 until his retirement. As research leader he managed the only ARS facility in the nation that provides hydraulic research needs for NRCS-assisted projects such as the watershed program. His research projects included dam spillway stability procedures, development of software widely used in the design and analysis of dams and spillways, and prediction of the erodibility of earth embankments during over-topping and dam breaches.

“Darrel’s research work is also being used nationwide in the rehabilitation of aging watershed dams to make projects more economical and safe. Conservation districts and NRCS have been fortunate to have Darrel working here in Oklahoma and we are grateful for his work and wish him well in his retirement,” said Thralls.