Watershed Approach: Data and Tools
- Overview
- Planning
- Technical Resources
- Data and Models
- Funding
- Capacity Building
- Additional Resources
Data
Use Surf your Watershed to find your watershed using a geographic unit (Zip code, city name, etc) and then enter your geographic information. Once you have found your watershed using those criteria, you will be able to find citizen based groups that are active in your watershed.
Watershed Assessment, Tracking & Environmental Results (WATERS) is an EPA integrated information system for the nation's surface waters. This framework allows you to access data regarding water quality, permitting, safe drinking water, and nonpoint source pollution
National Water Information Center (NWIS) Exitprovides access to USGS water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) ProgramExit is a USGS database that can help you answer three questions: 1) What is the condition of our Nation's streams, rivers, and ground water? 2) How are these conditions changing over time? 3) How do natural features and human activities affect these conditions, and where are those effects most pronounced?
STORET/WQX: The STORET (short for STOrage and RETrieval) Data Warehouse is a repository for water quality, biological, and physical data and is used by state environmental agencies, EPA and other federal agencies, universities, private citizens, and many others.
Water Quality Reporting Database (ATTAINS): This database displays the most current available information provided by the states in their biennial integrated water quality assessment reports prepared under sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.
Water Use Data: Exit — The U.S. Geological Survey has put this site together to offer real-time water data, a suspended sediment database, maps, and GIS data for water resources.
National Wetlands Inventory Center: ExitThe National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the nation's wetlands and deepwater habitats. This database is used by federal, state, and local agencies; academic institutions; the U.S. Congress; and the private sector.
Models
Recovery Potential Screening Tool
Surface Water Models provides access to watershed modeling tools such as Better Assessment Science Indicating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS), Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP).
Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEPL) employs simple algorithms to calculate nutrient and sediment loads from different land uses and the load reductions that would result from the implementation of various best management practices (BMPs).