service and outreach
watershed assessment
Engineers, scientists, and policy experts at The University of Georgia work with cities and counties throughout the state to conduct watershed assessments that meet regulatory requirements and provide a roadmap for managing water resources as populations grow. The University of Georgia has a mandate to serve, and faculty and staff at UGA meet that mandate with an extensive toolbox of skills ready to serve the scientific, technical, policy, planning and management needs of municipalities.
Watershed assessments allow communities to manage and protect their water resources by understanding the mechanisms affecting the watershed. Historical data are gathered from a multitude of sources, such as the US Geological Survey, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, and municipalities. Field data, to provide a baseline understanding of the current situation, include: biological, water quality and quantity, and visual assessment of the stream itself and the surrounding area. To gather these data, field crews visit key sites on the rivers in the watershed to check parameters such as stream depths, temperature, and nitrogen levels. Especially during storm events, samplers can be seen filling bottles and manipulating meters to capture a snapshot of the river as it responds to surface runoff. Biological sampling helps to round out the picture, providing insight into what the river looks like between sampling events. Researchers use land use and zoning information, along with field data, to create the foundation for recommendations to maintain and improve watershed health.
Watershed Protection Plans, the final products of Watershed Assessment Projects, are formulated based on background information, field sampling, recommendations from the UGA Watershed Group and input from the community about growth patterns, and other information. These plans lay out a framework, by setting forth goals, timetables and ongoing monitoring activities that will help cities and counties to grow while maintaining stream and watershed health.
For information about how the University of Georgia can help your community conduct a Watershed Assessment, contact Hillary Tanner at hstanner@engr.uga.edu or call (706) 542-0256.
You can also visit the Watershed Group's website at http://watershed.engr.uga.edu .
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