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Watershed Assessment Watershed Assessment and Planning and Planning

Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

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Page 1: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed Assessment Watershed Assessment and Planningand Planning

Page 2: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

ReviewReview

Watershed HydrologyWatershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Watershed Characteristics and

ProcessesProcesses Watershed ManagementWatershed Management Watershed Planning and Assessment Watershed Planning and Assessment

ProcessProcess Linking watershed processes with Linking watershed processes with

assessment and planningassessment and planning

Page 3: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

ReviewReview

HydrologyHydrology the study of Hthe study of H22O in all its forms O in all its forms

Watershed HydrologyWatershed Hydrology The effects of land characteristics and The effects of land characteristics and

management on water quality and quantity.management on water quality and quantity. Watershed ManagementWatershed Management

Process of managing resources of a Process of managing resources of a Watershed to meet social goals –Watershed to meet social goals –(sustainable)(sustainable)

Condition that soil and water resources are Condition that soil and water resources are not not adversely affected (use is sustainable adversely affected (use is sustainable over long term)over long term)

Page 4: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

WatershedsWatersheds

Unifying area for evaluating watershed Unifying area for evaluating watershed processes and water quality data.processes and water quality data.

Know all of the inputs & outputs:(Water Balance)

PrecipitationInfiltrationDeep drainageEvapo-transpirationRunoff(Erosion)

Page 5: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed Management (and Watershed Management (and Planning)Planning) Recognize the linkages between upstream Recognize the linkages between upstream

and downstream areas and the and downstream areas and the interrelationships across the landscape interrelationships across the landscape among soil and water, water quality and among soil and water, water quality and quantity, land use & other resource quantity, land use & other resource values.values.

OverviewOverview

Page 6: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed Characteristics: Climate: temperature, precip, bio-region Soils, vegetation, landuse

Topography (hydrologic processes) Shape of the watershedShape of the watershed Drainage densityDrainage density Drainage patternDrainage pattern Stream ordersStream orders Stream permanenceStream permanence Need to be able to differentiate among

overland flow, base flow and channel processes

ReviewReview

Page 7: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Land use/management Economic Value

ReviewReview

Watershed Hydrologic Processes

Page 8: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed Processes (and WQ)Watershed Processes (and WQ)

Drainage patternDrainage pattern

Stream ordersStream orders

Stream permanenceStream permanence

Climate regionClimate region

Homogeneity of landuseHomogeneity of landuse

Watershed geology and geomorphologyWatershed geology and geomorphology

Influenced/Dependent Influenced/Dependent on:on:

Page 9: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed PlanningWatershed Planning

Platform for Environmental Assessment Platform for Environmental Assessment and decision making.and decision making.

the original role of watershed the original role of watershed management was “water yield”management was “water yield”

Page 10: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

WatershedsWatersheds

Can be assessed at a variety of scalesCan be assessed at a variety of scales Unit order watershed (1 ha)Unit order watershed (1 ha) Basin scale Basin scale

Heterogeneity and complexity increase as Heterogeneity and complexity increase as increase in scaleincrease in scale

To evaluate Watershed issues need to To evaluate Watershed issues need to examine the data and their implications at examine the data and their implications at the appropriate scale(s)the appropriate scale(s)

Page 11: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 12: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 13: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 14: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 15: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 16: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 17: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Upper Watershed

Page 18: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Middle of Watershed

Page 19: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Lower Watershed

Page 20: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed Planning ApproachWatershed Planning Approach

Watershed Resource ProfileWatershed Resource Profile A descriptive set of data portraying A descriptive set of data portraying

the significant natural resource the significant natural resource features of the watershed.features of the watershed.

Rapid Watershed AssessmentRapid Watershed Assessment An evaluation of watershed resources An evaluation of watershed resources

to determine the size, scope, and to determine the size, scope, and value of natural resource needs.value of natural resource needs.

Page 21: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed ProfileWatershed Profile

A descriptive set of data portraying the A descriptive set of data portraying the significant natural resource features of significant natural resource features of the watershed.the watershed. Physical characteristicsPhysical characteristics

Soils, Geology, VegetationSoils, Geology, Vegetation Land Use Land Use Precipitation/hydrologyPrecipitation/hydrology Common Resource AreaCommon Resource Area Census/Social dataCensus/Social data Resource Concerns Resource Concerns

Page 22: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

A Watershed Approach:A Watershed Approach: Is hydrologically defined Is hydrologically defined

geographically focused geographically focused includes all stressors (air and water)includes all stressors (air and water)

Involves all stakeholders Involves all stakeholders includes public (federal, state, local) and private sector includes public (federal, state, local) and private sector is community based is community based includes a coordinating frameworkincludes a coordinating framework

Strategically addresses priority water resource goals Strategically addresses priority water resource goals (e.g. water quality, habitat) (e.g. water quality, habitat) integrates multiple programs (regulatory and voluntary) integrates multiple programs (regulatory and voluntary) based on sound science based on sound science aided by strategic watershed plans aided by strategic watershed plans uses adaptive management uses adaptive management

Page 23: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

A Watershed Approach:A Watershed Approach:

What are the goals of watershed What are the goals of watershed planning?planning?

How do you know if the “plan” has How do you know if the “plan” has worked?worked?

Page 24: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

EPA Watershed PlanningEPA Watershed Planning

Identification of the causes and sources that need to be controlled to achieve load reductions in the watershed- based plan

A description of the process that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the plan and achieving its goals.

designation of critical areas tied to BMPs. Estimate of the load reductions expected

for the Management efforts.

Page 25: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

EPA Watershed PlanningEPA Watershed Planning

A set of criteria that can be used to determine if load reductions are being achieved over time

If not – a set of criteria to determine if the watershed based plan needs to be revised.

http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3682_3714-69714--,00.html

Page 26: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

BMPsBMPs

Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices

What are they and how do we What are they and how do we evaluate them?evaluate them?

http://www.bmpdatabase.org/

Page 27: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 28: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

US EPA- US EPA- We can best understand the overall health of We can best understand the overall health of aquatic systems on a aquatic systems on a watershed basis. basis.

Using watersheds, we can take a broader view of Using watersheds, we can take a broader view of the environment, which is complicated and the environment, which is complicated and interconnected with our activities across local interconnected with our activities across local and regional scales. and regional scales.

Defining A Healthy Defining A Healthy WatershedWatershed

But what is a “healthy” watershed??

Page 29: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

““Health”Health”

Human health?Human health? Indicators and Standards for assessing Indicators and Standards for assessing

Page 30: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Rangeland Health (Natural Research Council 1994)“The degree to which the integrity of the soil and ecological processes of rangeland ecosystems are maintained”

Forest Health (U.S. Forest Service)“A condition wherein a forest has the capacity across the landscape for renewal, for recovery from a wide range of disturbances, and for retention of ecological resiliency, while meeting current and future needs of people for desired levels of values, uses, products, and services”

Some “Health” DefinitionsSome “Health” Definitions

Page 31: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Watershed HealthWatershed Health

(Jones et al. 2002)(Jones et al. 2002)““A state in which resource management A state in which resource management activities sustain human needs and uses of the activities sustain human needs and uses of the watershed while ensuring that watershed while ensuring that ecological ecological functionfunction is maintained” is maintained”

““Functional” components of a Watershed:Functional” components of a Watershed:Hydrologic FunctionHydrologic FunctionEcological FunctionEcological FunctionHuman/Societal FunctionHuman/Societal Function

Do we have indicators that we can use to evaluate the “health” of our watersheds?

Page 32: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Factors indicating stream Factors indicating stream healthhealth

Water qualityWater quality Tied to intended useTied to intended use

Stream flowStream flow QuantityQuantity TimingTiming

Physical habitatPhysical habitat MorphologyMorphology Riparian vegetationRiparian vegetation

Surface / groundwater interactionsSurface / groundwater interactions Biologic / hydrologic interactionsBiologic / hydrologic interactions

http://www.phillywatersheds.org

Page 33: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

http://www.mtnvisions.com/Aurora/healthst.html

Page 34: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 35: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Cornell.edu

http://www.fws.gov/

http://www4.agr.gc.ca

Page 36: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Discussion on Healthy StreamsDiscussion on Healthy Streams

http://www.grmw.org/

Page 37: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Discussion on Healthy StreamsDiscussion on Healthy Streams

Page 38: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Discussion on Healthy StreamsDiscussion on Healthy Streams

Page 39: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Evolving channel in VermontEvolving channel in Vermont

http://www.anr.state.vt.us

Page 40: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Discussion on Healthy StreamsDiscussion on Healthy Streams

http://www.grmw.org/

Page 41: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

Discussion on Healthy Uplands

What are some of the indicators?

Page 42: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 43: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 44: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and
Page 45: Watershed Assessment and Planning. Review Watershed Hydrology Watershed Hydrology Watershed Characteristics and Processes Watershed Characteristics and

HomeworkHomework

Describe a local watershed – Describe a local watershed – CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Estimate an annual water balance for Estimate an annual water balance for that watershedthat watershed Annual precipitationAnnual precipitation http://climate.usurf.usu.edu/products/http://climate.usurf.usu.edu/products/

data.phpdata.php