Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters_EPA 2008.pdf

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

Disclaimer This document provides guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes, local governments, watershed organizations, and the public regarding technical tools and sources of information for developing watershed based plans to improve and protect water quality. This document refers to statutory and regulatory provisions that contain legally binding requirements. This document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself.

Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, territories, authorized tribes, local governments, watershed organizations, or the public and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. EPA, state, territory, local government, and authorized tribe decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance. The use of non-mandatory words like “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “recommend,” “encourage,” “expect,” and “can” in this guidance means solely that something is suggested or recommended, and not that it is legally required, or that the suggestion or recommendation imposes legally binding requirements, or that following the suggestions or recommendations necessarily creates an expectation of EPA approval.

Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of the guidance to a situation, and EPA will consider whether or not the recom-mendations in this guidance are appropriate in that situation. EPA may change this guidance in the future.

United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water

Nonpoint Source Control Branch Washington, DC 20460

EPA 841-B-08-002

March 2008

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

Contents

Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiii

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 1 .1. What.Is.the.Purpose.of.This.Handbook?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.1.1 How Is This Handbook Different from Other Guides? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.1.2 Who Should Use This Handbook? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.1.3 What If We Already Have a Watershed Plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1 .2. What’s.Inside?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

1.2.1 Chapter Overviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

1.2.2 Appendices and Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

1 .3. How.to.Use.This.Handbook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

Chapter 2. Overview of Watershed Planning Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2-1 2 .1. Why.Use.a.Watershed.Approach.to.Manage.Water.Resources?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

2 .2. Common.Features.of.the.Watershed.Planning.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.2.1 Watershed Planning Is an Iterative and Adaptive Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

2.2.2 Watershed Planning Is a Holistic Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

2.2.3 Watershed Planning Is Geographically Defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

2.2.4 Watershed Planning Should Be Integrated with Other Planning Efforts . . . . . . . . . .2-4

2.2.5 Watershed Planning Is a Collaborative and Participatory Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2 .3. Steps.in.the.Watershed.Planning.and.Implementation.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2 .4. Watershed.Planning.for.Impaired.Waters .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2-7

2.4.1 What Are the Most Common Impairments? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

2.4.2 Watershed Planning Where a TMDL Has Been Developed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8

2.4.3 Watershed Planning in the Absence of a TMDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8

2 .5. Including.Water.Quality.Standards.in.Goal.Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

2.5.1 What Are Water Quality Standards and Why Are They Important? . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

2.5.2 How Are Water Quality Standards Set? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

2 .6. Nine.Minimum.Elements.to.Be.Included.in.a.Watershed.Plan..

for.Impaired.Waters.Funded.Using.Incremental.Section.319.Funds .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2-14

Chapter 3. Build Partnerships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 3 .1. Why.Do.I.Need.Partners?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2

3 .2. Identify.Driving.Forces.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2

3.2.1 Regulatory Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

3.2.2 Government Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

3.2.3 Community-Driven Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

3 .3. Identify.and.Engage.Stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

3.3.1 Identify Categories of Stakeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

3.3.2 Determine Stakeholders’ Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

3.3.3 Provide a Structure to Facilitate Stakeholder Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

3.3.4 Identify Stakeholders’ Skills and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

3.3.5 Encourage Participation and Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8

3.3.6 Initiate Outreach Activities to Build Awareness and Gain Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9

3 .4. Integrate.Local,.State,.Tribal,.and.Federal.Programs.into.Your.Watershed..

Planning.Effort.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

3.4.1 Local Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

3.4.2 State and Regional Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

3.4.3 Tribal Programs and Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

3.4.4 Federal Programs and Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17

Chapter 4. Define Scope of Watershed Planning Effort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 4 .1. Why.Define.the.Scope.of.Your.Watershed.Planning.Effort?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

4 .2. Ask.Stakeholders.for.Background.Information.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

4 .3. Identify.Issues.of.Concern.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

4.3.1 Draw a Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4

4.3.2 Take Stakeholders Out into the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6

4 .4. Define.the.Geographic.Extent.of.the.Watershed.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6

4 .5. Develop.Preliminary.Goals.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8

4 .6. Select.Indicators.to.Measure.Environmental.Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9

4.6.1 Select Quantitative Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

4.6.2 Select a Combination of Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

4 .7. Link.Concerns.with.Goals.and.Indicators.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Chapter 5. Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 5 .1. How.Do.I.Characterize.My.Watershed?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

5 .2. Focus.Your.Data.Gathering.Efforts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

5.2.1 Build on Earlier Scoping Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

5.2.2 Consider Stakeholder Goals and Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

5 .3. Who.Has.the.Data.and.What.Types.of.Data.Do.You.Need?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

5.3.1 Local Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4

5.3.2 State Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5

5.3.3 Tribal Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

5.3.4 Federal Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

5.3.5 Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

5 .4. Physical.and.Natural.Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8

5.4.1 Watershed Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8

5.4.2 Hydrology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

5.4.3 Topography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

5.4.4 Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

5.4.5 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

5.4.6 Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

5.4.7 Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

5.4.8 Ecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

5 .5. Land.Use.and.Population.Characteristics .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 5-18

5.5.1 Land Use and Land Cover Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18

5.5.2 Land Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22

5.5.3 Demographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24

5 .6. Waterbody.and.Watershed.Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25

5.6.1 Water Quality Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25

5.6.2 Water Quality Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26

5.6.3 Watershed-Related Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-27

5 .7. Pollutant.Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29

5.7.1 Point Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-30

5.7.2 Nonpoint Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31

5 .8. Waterbody.Monitoring.Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33

5.8.1 Water Quality and Flow Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34

5.8.2 Biological Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36

5.8.3 Geomorphological Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36

5 .9. Selected.Tools.Used.to.Gather,.Organize,.and.View.Assessment.Information. . . . . . . .5-37

5.9.1 Geographic Information Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37

5.9.2 Remote Sensing Techniques to Collect Land Use/Land Cover Information . . . . . . .5-41

5 .10. Create.a.Data.Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-47

Chapter 6. Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data If Needed. . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 6 .1. How.Do.I.Know.If.I.Have.Enough.Data.to.Start.My.Analysis?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2

6 .2. Conduct.a.Data.Review.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2

6.2.1 Identify Data Gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3

6.2.2 Determine Acceptability of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4

6 .3. Determine.Whether.New.Data.Collection.Is.Essential.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6

6 .4. Design.a.Sampling.Plan.for.Collecting.New.Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6

6.4.1 Select a Monitoring Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7

6.4.2 Develop Data Quality Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

6.4.3 Develop Measurement Quality Objectives and Performance Characteristics . . . . . . 6-10

6.4.4 Develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

6.4.5 Develop a Plan for Data Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-12

6 .5. Collect.New.Data.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

6.5.1 Watershed Overview/Visual Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

6.5.2 Physical Characterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-15

6.5.3 Geomorphic Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

6.5.4 Hydrologic Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

6.5.5 Water Quality Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

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6.5.6 Assessment of Stream Habitat Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-19

6.5.7 Watershed Habitat Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-20

6.5.8 Biological Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-22

Chapter 7. Analyze Data to Characterize the Watershed and Pollutant Sources . . . . 7-1 7 .1. Analyze.Data.to.Identify.Pollutant.Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

7.1.1 Focus Your Analysis Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

7.1.2 Use a Combination of Analysis Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

7.1.3 Consider Geographic Variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

7.1.4 Incorporate Stakeholders’ Concerns and Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4

7 .2. Analyze.Instream.and.Watershed.Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4

7.2.1 Confirm Impairments and Identify Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6

7.2.2 Summary Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

7.2.3 Spatial Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

7.2.4 Temporal Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

7.2.5 Other Trends or Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

7.2.6 Stressor Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12

7.2.7 Visual Assessments and Local Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13

7 .3. Evaluate.Data.Analysis.Results.to.Identify.Causes.and.Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

7.3.1 Grouping Sources for Further Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15

7.3.2 Time Frame for Source Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17

7 .4. Summarize.Causes.and.Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17

Chapter 8. Estimate Pollutant Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 8 .1. How.Do.I.Estimate.Pollutant.Loads?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2

8 .2. Using.Monitoring.Data.or.Literature.Values.to.Estimate.Pollutant.Loads. . . . . . . . . . . .8-3

8.2.1 Using Monitoring Data to Estimate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-4

8.2.2 Using Literature Values to Estimate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5

8 .3. Watershed.Modeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-7

8.3.1 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8

8.3.2 Using Watershed Modeling Tools to Evaluate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

8.3.3 Model Selection and Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13

8.3.4 What Models Are Available? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16

8.3.5 Capabilities of the Selected Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-23

8 .4. Model.Application.Process.for.the.Selected.Models.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-26

8.4.1 Watershed Delineation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-27

8.4.2 Land Use Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-29

8.4.3 Parameter Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-29

8.4.4 Model Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31

8.4.5 Estimation of Existing Conditions and Baseline Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35

8 .5. Presenting.Pollutant.Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35

8.5.1 Consider Spatial Scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-36 v

8.5.2 Consider Time Scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-36

8.5.3 Next Steps in Developing the Watershed Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-37

Chapter 9. Set Goals and Identify Load Reductions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1 9 .1. How.Do.I.Link.the.Watershed.Analysis.to.Management.Solutions?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2

9 .2. Translate.Watershed.Goals.into.Management.Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3

9 .3. Select.Environmental.Indicators.and.Targets.to.Evaluate.Management.Objectives . . . .9-4

9 .4. Determine.Load.Reductions.to.Meet.Environmental.Targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-4

9.4.1 Qualitative Linkages Based on Local Knowledge or Historical Conditions . . . . . . . .9-6

9.4.2 Mass Balance Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7

9.4.3 Empirical Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7

9.4.4 Statistical or Mathematical Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-8

9.4.5 Reference Watershed Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-8

9.4.6 Receiving Water Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9

9 .5. Focus.the.Load.Reductions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12

9 .6. Summarize.Watershed.Targets.and.Necessary.Load.Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13

Chapter 10. Identify Possible Management Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1 10 .1. How.Do.I.Link.My.Management.Strategies.to.My.Goals?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

10 .2. Overview.of.Management.Approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

10.2.1 Nonpoint Source Management Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-4

10.2.2 Regulatory Approaches to Manage Pollutant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6

10 .3. Steps.to.Select.Management.Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10

10.3.1 Identify Existing Management Efforts in the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

10.3.2 Quantify the Effectiveness of Current Management Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13

10.3.3 Identify New Management Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

10.3.5 Identify Possible Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15

10.3.6 Identify Relative Pollutant Reduction Efficiencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19

10.3.7 Develop Screening Criteria to Identify Opportunities and Constraints . . . . . . . . . .10-20

10.3.8 Rank Alternatives and Develop Candidate Management Opportunities . . . . . . . . 10-22

Chapter 11. Evaluate Options and Select Final Management Strategies. . . . . . . . . . 11-1 11 .1. How.Do.I.Select.the.Final.Management.Strategy?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2

11 .2. Identify.Factors.that.Influence.the.Selection.of.Approaches.Used.to..

Quantify.Effectiveness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3

11.2.1 General Types of Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3

11.2.2 Identify the Types of Indicators You’re Using to Measure Performance . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4

11.2.3 Consider the Scale of Your Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4

11.2.4 Consider the Synergistic Effects of Multiple Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5

11 .3. Select.an.Approach.to.Quantify.the.Effectiveness.of.the.Management.Strategies. . . . . 11-6

11.3.1 Using Literature Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters v�

11.3.2 Using Models to Assess Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7

11.3.3 Example Model Applications to Assess Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-18

11 .4. Identify.Costs.and.Compare.Benefits.of.Management.Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-22

11.4.1 Identify Cost Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-23

11.4.2 Compare Costs and Effectiveness of Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-27

11 .5. Select.Final.Management.Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-29

11.5.1 Decision Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-30

11.5.2 Example Procedures for Selecting Final Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-32

Chapter 12. Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed Plan. . . . . 12-1 12 .1. What.Do.I.Need.to.Design.My.Implementation.Program?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

12 .2. Develop.Information/Education.Component. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

12.2.1 Integrate I/E Activities into the Overall Watershed Implementation Program . . . . . 12-2

12.2.2 Develop an I/E Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3

12 .3. Establish.an.Implementation.Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-7

12 .4. Develop.Interim.Measurable.Milestones.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-7

12 .5. Establish.a.Set.of.Criteria.to.Measure.Progress.toward.Meeting.Water.Quality..

Standards.and.Other.Goals.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-8

12.5.1 Schedule for Implementation of Management Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-9

12.5.2 Nature of Pollutants to Be Controlled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-10

12 .6. Develop.a.Monitoring.Component.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-10

12.6.1 Directly Relate Monitoring Efforts to the Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11

12.6.2 Incorporate Previous Sampling Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12

12.6.3 Monitor Land Use Changes in Conjunction with Water Quality Monitoring . . . . 12-12

12.6.4 Use an Appropriate Experimental Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

12.6.5 Conduct Monitoring for Several Years Before and After Implementation . . . . . . . 12-13

12.6.6 Build In an Evaluation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

12 .7. Estimate.Financial.and.Technical.Assistance.Needed.and.the..

Sources/Authorities.that.Will.Be.Relied.on.for.Implementation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

12.7.1 Identify Funding Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15

12.7.2 Leverage Existing Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15

12.7.3 Estimating Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16

12.7.4 Identify Technical Assistance Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19

12.7.5 Identify the Relevant Authorities Needed for Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19

12 .8. Develop.the.Implementation.Plan.Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19

12 .9. Develop.an.Evaluation.Framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22

12.9.1 What Parts of Your Program Should You Evaluate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22

12.9.2 Using a Logic Model to Develop an Evaluation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23

12.9.3 Evaluation Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-24

12.9.4 Timing of Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25

12 .10. Devise.a.Method.for.Tracking.Progress.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25 v��

12 .11. Putting.It.All.Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27

12.11.1 The Final Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27

12.11.2 Make the Plan Accessible to Various Audiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27

Chapter 13. Implement Watershed Plan and Measure Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1 13 .1. What.Do.I.Do.Once.I’ve.Developed.My.Watershed.Plan?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2

13 .2. Create.an.Organizational.Structure.for.Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2

13 .3. Implement.Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3

13 .4. Prepare.Work.Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-4

13 .5. Share.Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-4

13 .6. Evaluate.Your.Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-6

13.6.1 Track Progress Against Your Work Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-8

13.6.2 Analyze Monitoring Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-9

13 .7. Make.Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11

13.7.1 Not Meeting Implementation Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12

13.7.2 Not Making Progress Toward Reducing Pollutant Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12

13 .8. A.Final.Word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14

Appendix A: Resources

Appendix B: Worksheets

Appendix C: List of State Nonpoint Source and Watershed Planning Contacts

Glossary

Bibliography

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters v���

Figures Figure 2-1. Steps.in.the.Watershed.Planning.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Figure 2-2. Potential.Relationships.Between.TMDLs.and.Watershed.Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

Figure 2-3. Incorporating.the.Nine.Minimum.Elements.into.Your.Watershed.Plan. . . . . . .2-15

Figure 2-4. Level.of.Detail.for.Watershed.Management.Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18

Figure 4-1. Simplified.Conceptual.Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Figure 4-2. Simple.Conceptual.Model.Involving.Logging.Road.Construction..

Effects.on.Stream.Aquatic.Life.(adapted.from.USEPA.1998). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Figure 4-3. Draft.Conceptual.Model.for.Greens.Creek,.North.Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

Figure 4-4. Evolution.of.Goals.Throughout.the.Watershed.Planning.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Figure 5-1. Example.of.NRCS.Watershed.Delineations.Within.a.USGS.8-digit..

Cataloging.Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Figure 5-2. Examples.of.Medium-Resolution.and.High-Resolution.NHD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12

Figure 5-3. Example.Map.Projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39

Figure 5-4. Example.of.GIS.Datasets.at.Different.Scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40

Figure 5-5. Example.Fields.in.a.Data.Inventory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48

Figure 6-1. Excerpt.from.Spa.Creek.Proposed.Sampling.Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-13

Figure 7-1. Example.Graph.of.Observed.Aluminum.Concentrations.Compared..

to.Water.Quality.Criteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7

Figure 7-2. Commonly.Used.Summary.Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8

Figure 7-3. Example.Map.of.Average.Total.Dissolved.Solids.Concentration..

Throughout.a.Watershed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9

Figure 7-4. Example.Graph.of.Monthly.Statistics.for.Fecal.Coliform.Bacteria .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .7-10

Figure 7-5. Example.Load.Duration.Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11

Figure 7-6. Stressor.Identification.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-12

Figure 7-7. Long-term.Turbidity.Levels.at.Two.Stations.in.Lake.Creek,.Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

Figure 8-1. Example.of.an.Application.of.Export.Coefficients.to.Calculate..

Pollutant.Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

Figure 8-2. Typical.Model.Evaluation.Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-31

Figure 8-3. Sample.Calibration.Tests.for.Hydrologic.Simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-33

Figure 8-4. Sample.Model.Testing.Graphic .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8-34

Figure 8-5. Presentation.of.Annual.Sediment.Loads.(lb/ac).by.Subwatershed,..

San.Jacinto,.California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-36

Figure 8-6. Seasonal.Fecal.Coliform.Bacteria.Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-37

Figure 8-7. Total.Sediment.Load.and.Percentages.Associated.with.Each.Source . . . . . . . . .8-37

Figure 9-1. Process.for.Identifying.Final.Watershed.Goals.and.Targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2

Figure 10-1. Process.for.Identifying.Candidate.Management.Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2

�x

Figure 10-2. Percentage.of.Buffer.Area.Disturbed.and.Impaired.Waters.in.the..

Troublesome.Creek.Watershed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-15

Figure 11-1. Evaluate.Candidate.Management.Practices.to.Select.Final.Strategies. . . . . . . . . 11-2

Figure 11-2. Using.a.Spreadsheet.Analysis.to.Evaluate.One.Management.Practice..

at.a.Single.Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-8

Figure 11-3. Analysis.of.Multiple.Management.Practices.Using.Multiple.Indicators. . . . . .11-20

Figure 11-4. Quantifying.the.Effectiveness.of.Stabilization.Practices.in.Reducing..

Sediment.Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-21

Figure 11-5. Quantifying.the.Effectiveness.of.Management.Practices.in.Improving..

Aquatic.Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-22

Figure 11-6. Cost.Comparison.of.Alternative.Treatment.Trains.to.Meet.Specific..

Water.Quality.and.Detention.Performance.Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-25

Figure 11-7. Example.Comparing.Construction.Cost.and.Pollutant.Loading.for..

Different.Urban.Land.Use.Types.with.Decreasing.Levels..

of.Imperviousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-28

Figure 11-8. Example.Showing.Increased.Cost.per.Pound.of.Total.Phosphorus..

Removed.for.Urban.Land.Uses.with.Highest.Levels.of.Imperviousness. . . . . . 11-29

Figure 11-9. Evaluation.of.Stormwater.Management.Options.for.the.Town.of.Cary. . . . . . .11-34

Figure 12-1. Logic.Model.Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-24

Figure 12-2. Logic.Model.Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-25

Figure 12-3. Table.of.Contents.from.White.Oak.Creek,.Ohio,.Watershed.Plan. . . . . . . . . . .12-28

Figure 13-1. Watershed.Report.Card.for.Clermont.County,.Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-7

Figure 13-2. Example.Adaptive.Management.Approach.Using.a.Logic.Model . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8

Tables Table 1-1. Relationship.of.Chapters.to.the.Watershed.Planning.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Table 2-1. Top.Ten.303(d).List.Impairments.in.the.United.States.(August.14,.2007). . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Table 2-2. Summary.of.Common.Pollutants.and.Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Table 4-1. Coal.Creek.Sediment.Loading.Indicators.and.Target.Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Table 4-2. Use.of.Indicators.Throughout.the.Watershed.Planning.and..

Implementation.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Table 4-3. Example.Environmental.Indicators.Used.to.Identify.Relationships..

Between.Pollutant.Sources.and.Environmental.Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11

Table 4-4. Example.Indicators.Used.throughout.Watershed.Plan.Development..

and.Implementation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14

Table 4-5. Examples.of.Performance.Indicators.That.Can.Be.Used.to.Develop..

Targets.to.Measure.Progress.in.Meeting.Watershed.Goals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .4-15

Table 5-1. Data.Typically.Used.for.Watershed.Characterization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7

Table 5-2. Sources.of.GIS.Data.Available.on.the.Internet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38

Table 5-3. Sample.Costs.for.Purchasing.Remote.Sensing.Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters x

Table 6-1. Sources.and.Associated.Pollutants.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-18

Table 7-1. Examples.of.the.Types.of.Data-related.Activities.Conducted..

throughout.the.Watershed.Planning.Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3

Table 7-2. Examples.of.the.Level.of.Detail.and.Effort.for.Typical.Types.of.Data . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

Table 8-1. Example.Approaches.Used.for.Estimating.Watershed.Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3

Table 8-2. Various.Levels.of.Detail.for.Simulating.Runoff.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12

Table 8-3. Levels.of.Detail.in.Watershed.Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-13

Table 8-4. Overview.of.Several.Available.Watershed.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-17

Table 8-5. Water.Quality.Endpoints.Supported.by.the.Selected.Watershed.Models . . . . . . . . . 8-24

Table 8-6. Land.and.Water.Features.Supported.by.the.Selected.Watershed.Models. . . . . . . . . 8-25

Table 8-7. Application.Considerations.of.the.Selected.Watershed.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-26

Table 8-8. Typical.Data.Needs.for.Example.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-27

Table 8-9. Examples.of.Number.and.Size.of.Subwatersheds.in.Modeling.Applications. . . . .8-28

Table 8-10. Example.Land.Use.Categories.for.Watershed.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-29

Table 8-11. Typical.Calibration.Options.for.Selected.Example.Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-32

Table 8-12. Typical.Loading.Presentation.Categories.and.Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-36

Table 9-1. Sample.Goals.Linked.to.the.Sources.and.Impacts.to.Define..

Management.Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3

Table 9-2. Examples.of.Indicators.and.Targets.to.Meet.Management.Objectives . . . . . . . . . . .9-5

Table 9-3. Example.Approaches.for.Linking.Indicators.and.Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

Table 9-4. Overview.of.Various.Receiving.Water.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10

Table 9-5. Examples.of.Different.Scenarios.to.Meet.the.Same.Load.Target. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12

Table 10-1. Examples.of.Structural.and.Nonstructural.Management.Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . .10-5

Table 10-2. Existing.Programs.and.Policies.Identified.in.the.Mill.Creek..

Subwatershed.Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Table 10-3. Commonly.Used.Management.Practices.for.Salinity,.Sediment,.and..

Total.Dissolved.Solids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17

Table 10-4. Example.Management.Practice.Screening.Matrix .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .10-20

Table 10-5. Example.Ranking.Table.to.Identify.Candidate.Management.Practices. . . . . . . . . . 10-23

Table 11-1. Summary.of.Management.Practice.Representation.Capabilities.of.the..

Selected.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10

Table 11-2. Summary.of.Management.Practice.Simulation.Techniques.of.the..

Selected.Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11

Table 11-3. Data.Needs.for.Management.Strategy.Modeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13

Table 11-4. Specialized.Models.for.Analyzing.Management.Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-14

Table 11-5. Considerations.for.Applying.Management.Practice.Unit.Cost.Measures . . . . . . . . 11-24 x�

Table 11-6. Example.of.Discounting.Management.Practice.Cost.for.Comparison..

Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-27

Table 11-7. Selected.Management.Techniques.for.the.Muddy.Creek.Subwatershed,..

Virgin.River.TMDL.Implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-32

Table 11-8. Summary.of.Load.Reduction.Requirements.and.Expected.Removal..

Efficiencies.for.Selected.Management.Practices.for.Muddy.Creek..

Subwatershed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-33

Table 12-1. Example.Indicators.to.Measure.Progress.in.Reducing.Pollutant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-9

Table 12-2. Annualized.Cost.Estimates.for.Selected.Management.Practices..

from.Chesapeake.Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-17

Table 13-1. Comparison.of.Example.Parameters.in.a.Hypothetical.Watershed.Plan..

and.319.Work.Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-5

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters x��

Acronyms.and.Abbreviations x���

Acronyms and Abbreviations There.are.dozens.of.acronyms.and.abbreviations.used.throughout.this.handbook ..Refer.back.

to.this.list.to.help.you.navigate.through.the.alphabet.soup .

ADB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessment.Database

ADID . . . . . . . . . . . . advance.identification.

AFO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . animal.feeding.operation

AGNPS . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural.Non-Point.Source.model

AnnAGNPS . . . . . . . Annualized.Agricultural.Non-Point.Source.model

AIEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . American.Indian.Environmental.Office

ARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural.Research.Service.

ASIWPCA . . . . . . . . Association.of.State.and.Interstate.Water.Pollution.Control.

Administrators

AU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . assessment.unit

AVIRIS . . . . . . . . . . . airborne.visible/infrared.imaging.spectrometer

AVS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . acid-volatile.sulfide

BASINS . . . . . . . . . . Better.Assessment.Science.Integrating.Point.and.Nonpoint.Sources

BEACH . . . . . . . . . . . Beaches.Environmental.Assessment.and.Coastal.Health

BEHI . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bank.Erosion.Hazard.Index

BLM . . . . . . . . . . . . . [U .S .].Bureau.of.Land.Management

BMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . best.management.practice

BOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [U .S .].Bureau.of.Reclamation.

CADDIS . . . . . . . . . . Causal.Analysis/Diagnosis.Decision.Information.System

CAEDYM . . . . . . . . . Computational.Aquatic.Ecosystem.Dynamics.Model

CAFO . . . . . . . . . . . . concentrated.animal.feeding.operation

CBOD . . . . . . . . . . . . carbonaceous.biological.oxygen.demand

C-CAP. . . . . . . . . . . . Coastal.Change.Analysis.Program

CCMP . . . . . . . . . . . . comprehensive.conservation.and.management.plan cfs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cubic.feet.per.second

CH3D IMS. . . . . . . . Curvilinear.grid.Hydrodynamics.3D—Integrated.Modeling.System

CH3D SED. . . . . . . . Curvilinear.Hydrodynamics.3D—Sediment.Transport

Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters x�v

CN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . curve.number

CNE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . curve.number.equation

CNMP. . . . . . . . . . . . conservation.nutrient.management.plan

COD . . . . . . . . . . . . . chemical.oxygen.demand

CRC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cooperative.Research.Center

CREM . . . . . . . . . . . . Council.for.Regulatory.Environmental.Modeling

CREP. . . . . . . . . . . . . Conservation.Reserve.Enhancement.Program

CRM . . . . . . . . . . . . . crop.residue.management

CRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conservation.Reserve.Program

CSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coastal.Services.Center

CSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . combined.sewer.overflow

CSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conservation.Security.Program

CSREES . . . . . . . . . . Cooperative.State.Research,.Education,.and.Extension.Service

CSTR . . . . . . . . . . . . continuously.stirred.tank.reactor

CTG . . . . . . . . . . . . . composite.theme.grid

CTIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conservation.Technology.Information.Center

CWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clean.Water.Act

CZARA . . . . . . . . . . . Coastal.Zone.Act.Reauthorization.Amendments

DEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . digital.elevation.model

DIAS/IDLMAS . . . . Dynamic.Information.Architecture.System/Integrated.Dynamic.

Landscape.Analysis.and.Modeling.System

DLG . . . . . . . . . . . . . digital.line.graphs

DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dissolved.oxygen

DOI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [U .S .].Department.of.the.Interior

DOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . [U .S .].Department.of.Transportation

DQO . . . . . . . . . . . . . data.quality.objective

DRG . . . . . . . . . . . . . digital.raster.graphic

ECOMSED. . . . . . . . Estuary.and.Coastal.Ocean.Model.with.Sediment.Transport

EDAS . . . . . . . . . . . . Ecological.Data.Application.System

EDNA . . . . . . . . . . . . Elevation.Derivatives.for.National.Application xv

EFDC . . . . . . . . . . . . Environmental.Fluid.Dynamics.Code

EMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . Environmental.Monitoring.and.Assessment.Program

EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . event.mean.concentration

EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [U .S .].Environmental.Protection.Agency

EPIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erosion.Productivity.Impact.Calculator

EQIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . Environmental.Quality.Incentives.Program

ESA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Endangered.Species.Act

ETM . . . . . . . . . . . . . enhanced.thematic.mapper

FEMA . . . . . . . . . . . . Federal.Emergency.Management.Agency

FGDC . . . . . . . . . . . . Federal.Geographic.Data.Committee

FHWA. . . . . . . . . . . . Federal.Highway.Administration

FSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farm.Service.Agency

GAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gap.Analysis.Project

GIRAS . . . . . . . . . . . Geographic.Information.Retrieval.and.Analysis.System

GIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . geographic.information.system

GISPLM . . . . . . . . . . GIS-Based.Phosphorus.Loading.Model

GLEAMS . . . . . . . . . Groundwater.Loading.Effects.of.Agricultural.Management.Systems

GLLVHT . . . . . . . . . Generalized,.Longitudinal-Lateral-Vertical.Hydrodynamic.and.

Transport

GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . global.positioning.system

GRP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grasslands.Reserve.Program

GSSHA . . . . . . . . . . . Gridded.Surface.Subsurface.Hydrologic.Analysis

GWLF…