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Using GIS in Watershed Management GIS Applications

Using GIS in Watershed Management GIS Applications. Douglas M. Schleifer, Director The GIS Center at Upper Raritan doug@urwa.org. Process. Define the issues Generate strategies Incorporate GIS applications. Issues, Mandates and Opportunities. Public Education

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Using GIS in Watershed Management GIS Applications

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  1. Using GIS in Watershed ManagementGIS Applications Douglas M. Schleifer, Director The GIS Center at Upper Raritan doug@urwa.org

  2. Process Define the issues Generate strategies Incorporate GIS applications

  3. Issues, Mandates and Opportunities • Public Education • Nonpoint Source Pollutant Loadings • Stormwater Management • Flood Damage Reductions • Surface Water Control Plans • Water Quality Assessment • Open Space for Watershed Protection • Water Supply Management • Wastewater Management • Land Development Management • Aquatic Habitat Restoration *From the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project

  4. Generate Strategies • Preservation • Restoration/Remediation • Management

  5. Applications for Analysis • Soils • Impervious surfaces • Land use/landcover • Groundwater recharge • Riparian areas • Open space

  6. Scale Basin Watershed Management Areas, as defined by NJDEP, are on the basin or sub-basin scale. Sub-basin Watershed Sub-watershed

  7. Soils The following information can be derived by linking soils data with the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO): • Erodibility • Agricultural capability • Development suitability • Septic absorption fields • Lawns and landscaping • Dwellings • Small commercial buildings • Local roads and streets

  8. Impervious Surfaces Impervious surface estimations can be derived from land use/landcover data. The NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) Project, developed an analytical methodology that correlates the amount of impervious surfaces in a watershed to impacts on stream quality. The chart on the right can be used as a guide to develop strategies for preservation, restoration or management, depending on the level of impervious surface.

  9. Land Use/Landcover These data can be used to calculate change in over a period of time of the following land use/landcover types: • Urban land • Agricultural land • Forest • Water • Wetlands • Barren land These data can be used to inform analyses, such as groundwater recharge, riparian areas and open space.

  10. Groundwater Recharge Use the methodology described in NJ Geological Survey publication GSR-32. It combines land use/landcover, soils and precipitation data to estimate the amount of groundwater recharge for any area in NJ. Preservation strategies for areas of high groundwater recharge should be considered.

  11. Riparian Areas To create riparian areas data, combine relevant features into one GIS data set. • Water • Adjacent wetlands • Wetland transition areas • Flood areas • Adjacent hydric & alluvial soils Additional features • Wildlife corridor • Adjacent steep slopes To quantify current riparian areas, remove areas of development using land use/landcover data. To evaluate riparian health, determine the extent of forest crown closure, impervious surfaces and barriers and alterations to stream flow such as managed stream segments, dams and road crossings.

  12. Open Space To visualize and prioritize future open space acquisitions, view GIS data that fit the specified objectives for acquisition with existing open space, easement and parcel data. These data may include, but are not limited to, the following physical and cultural features: • Water, wetlands, transition areas, flood hazard areas. • Areas with high capacity for groundwater recharge, wellhead protection areas. • Forests, steep slopes, wildlife corridors, habitat for threatened and endangered species. • Farmland, significant soils. • Historic sites and districts, hiking and biking trails.

  13. Resources For further information, consult the following resources: • Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project raritanbasin.org • NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) Project nemo.uconn.edu • Center for Watershed Protection www.cwp.org

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