The Watershed Project Management Guide

The Watershed Project Management Guide
Author: Thomas E. Davenport
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2002-08-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1420031643

A key question for individuals involved in managing watersheds is, "What is an effective process that will integrate science, policy, and public participation in order to help manage water resources effectively?" The Watershed Project Management Guide presents a four-phase approach to watershed management that is based on a collaborative process th

New Strategies for America's Watersheds

New Strategies for America's Watersheds
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 333
Release: 1999-04-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309064171

Emergence of a toxic organism like pfisteria in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay has focused public attention on potential hazards in our water. More importantly, it has reminded us of the importance of the entire watershed to the health of any body of water and how political boundaries complicate watershed management. New Strategies for America's Watersheds provides a timely and comprehensive look at the rise of "watershed thinking" among scientists and policymakers and recommends ways to steer the nation toward improved watershed management. The volume defines important terms, identifies fundamental issues, and explores reasons why now is the time to bring watersheds to the forefront of ecosystem management. In a discussion of scale and scope, the committee examines how to expand the watershed from a topographic unit to a framework for integrating natural, social, and economic perspectives as they share the same geographic space. The volume discusses: Regional variations in climate, topography, demographics, institutions, land use, culture, and law. Roles and interaction of federal, state, and local agencies. Availability or lack of pertinent data. Options for financing. The committee identifies critical points in watershed planning to ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement and integration of science, policy, and environmental ethics.

Nippersink Watershed

Nippersink Watershed
Author: United States. Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publisher:
Total Pages: 12
Release: 1999
Genre: Conservation of natural resources
ISBN:

Watershed Research in the U.S. Geological Survey

Watershed Research in the U.S. Geological Survey
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 97
Release: 1997-05-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309057396

Watershed research is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to expand our understanding of basic hydrologic mechanisms and their responses at the watershed scale and to provide information that serves as the basis for water and environmental management activities carried out largely by other governmental and private entities. The work of the USGS in this area is carried out by its Water Resources Division and occurs in three general program areas: basic research, regional and site assessments, and data collection. These activities are becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of water and environmental management, where contemporary problems are being approached more than ever on an integrated ecosystems or watershed basis and where the underlying physical, chemical, and biological science is complex. Although the value of this type of hydrologic research is well recognized within the USGS, available financial resources to support it remain modest. Thus, this study seeks to help maximize the effectiveness of the agency's work. The study took two years, during which time the committee visited field sites, received briefings, reviewed descriptive materials, deliberated toward conclusions, and wrote this report. Recommendations are intended to assist the USGS in improving its overall strategy for work in this area; descriptions of a number of scientific opportunities are included, and appropriate circumstances for collaboration with and support for others are identified.

Watershed Research in the U.S. Geological Survey

Watershed Research in the U.S. Geological Survey
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 96
Release: 1997-04-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309174821

Watershed research is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to expand our understanding of basic hydrologic mechanisms and their responses at the watershed scale and to provide information that serves as the basis for water and environmental management activities carried out largely by other governmental and private entities. The work of the USGS in this area is carried out by its Water Resources Division and occurs in three general program areas: basic research, regional and site assessments, and data collection. These activities are becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of water and environmental management, where contemporary problems are being approached more than ever on an integrated ecosystems or watershed basis and where the underlying physical, chemical, and biological science is complex. Although the value of this type of hydrologic research is well recognized within the USGS, available financial resources to support it remain modest. Thus, this study seeks to help maximize the effectiveness of the agency's work. The study took two years, during which time the committee visited field sites, received briefings, reviewed descriptive materials, deliberated toward conclusions, and wrote this report. Recommendations are intended to assist the USGS in improving its overall strategy for work in this area; descriptions of a number of scientific opportunities are included, and appropriate circumstances for collaboration with and support for others are identified.

Global Lessons for Watershed Management in the United States

Global Lessons for Watershed Management in the United States
Author: J. Goldstein
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2004-09-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1843397129

Water resource management in the United States is evolving in the face of continuing challenges to protect water quality, provide adequate quantities of water for competing uses, and protect habitat and other natural resources. In many jurisdictions and agencies this evolution is increasingly leading toward adoption of watershed management. This approach is characterized by planning and decision making on a watershed scale, integration of a variety of competing water resource priorities and goals, cooperation of multiple stakeholders and governmental agencies, and increased levels of public participation. This report identifies the most promising watershed planning and management approaches from around the world; evaluates how they operate, their benefits and limitations; and assesses the degree to which these approaches could be successfully adapted to the U.S. context. Drawing on this international experience, the report is intended to inform policy makers and practitioners and to promote the implementation of integrated watershed management approaches that are most likely to succeed. This report: Provides a decision-making framework of watershed management efforts at all scales in the United States. Evaluates past U.S. watershed management experience and identifies key characteristics for success as well as major challenges and opportunities for improving the watershed approach. Summarizes and evaluates international case studies where innovative watershed management techniques have been used. Identifies ten key lessons for sustainable water management, including the role of water/wastewater utilities based on the experience of the international case study watersheds.

Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedure Guidebook (CWAP)

Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedure Guidebook (CWAP)
Author: British Columbia. Forest Service
Publisher: Forest Service British Columbia
Total Pages: 76
Release: 1995
Genre: Nature
ISBN:

The watershed assessment procedure (WAP) is a tool to help forest managers understand the type and extent of current water-related problems that exist in a watershed and to recognize the possible hydrologic implications of proposed forestry-related development in that watershed. This guidebook explains how to complete a reconnaissance-level WAP analysis for coastal areas in British Columbia according to the provincial Forest Practices Code. The procedure includes compilation on a topographic base map of data relating to peak flow, surface erosion, riparian buffers, landslides, headwaters, and watershed characteristics, then converting the raw data into indicator scores and compiling the scores onto a watershed report card. The guide includes sample worksheet forms and instructions on how to summarize the results in five impact categories and how to produce a hazard index for each category. The appendices include definitions of erosion-prone areas and descriptions of forestry impacts on surface hydrology and erosion.