Watershed Assessment

Watershed assessment requires an accurate characterization of the current pollution and habitat problems in the watershed, and especially the root causes of the problems. The Initiative addresses data and information needs by engaging the technical resources of Initiative collaborators to acquire, compile, assess, interpret and contribute these data and information at the outset of the watershed planning.

A first step in a watershed planning effort is to obtain an accurate characterization of the current pollution and habitat problems in the watershed, and especially the root causes of the problems. An accurate watershed assessment also provides a baseline, or an overview of current conditions, which can subsequently be used to judge the success (or failure) of watershed management efforts. This first step also facilitates an objective, scientifically-based starting point that will engender trust and sustained stakeholder participation throughout the planning and implementation process.

Although essential for a successful adaptive management program, watershed assessment and monitoring activities often require substantial data and complex analysis techniques, which can represent substantial time and resource investments. An unfortunate reality, however, is that local communities often lack the resources and expertise to undertake these complex tasks, even though they need accurate information on watershed and stream conditions (see http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/index.htm).

Pathogen Data Gap Analysis on the Red River Basin
The Red River Project is evaluating pathogen data gaps and developing a strategic plan for addressing these gaps. This plan will have a transboundary focus and facilitate expansion of a transboundary network that can be modeled throughout the basin.

General Watershed Assessment Programs
In collaboration with organizations such as the USEPA, SEMARNAT (Mexican Secretariat for Environment and Natural Resources), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Nature Conservancy, Texas State University System, National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Global Environmental Facility, the Institute is currently managing several projects involving watershed assessments or watershed characterizations directed to management concerns.

Watershed Assessment Programs

All ongoing RSI projects identified in the Watershed Assessment section above contain assessment elements. These include collection and analyses of water quality samples and accompanying hydrologic information, identification and compilation of data and information relating to the socioeconomic causative factors that represent the actual root causes of much water quality and watershed degradation. In much the same way a physician examines a patient for the purpose of identifying physical ailments, in order to prescribe appropriate medicine and other curative elements to address these ailments, these watershed assessment programs are designed to provide the information and data necessary to characterize a watershed for the purpose of ‘diagnosing’ its problems and their underlying causes. Equally important, the exercise of conducting a watershed assessment will inevitably identify problems constraining their sustainable use, as well as their root causes. Such information is fundamental to developing an integrated, adaptive watershed management program that can address such problems. And it is fundamental to ensure appropriate stakeholder participation in identifying problems, to prescribe solutions, and to implement programs that facilitate these solutions. RSI and its partners have the necessary expertise and resources to readily carry out such assessments, in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders throughout the target watersheds. Several examples of current RSI assessment projects are as follows:

Rio Grande – RSI is spearheading development of an integrated water resources management plan for the Rio Grande basin, to meet both human and ecosystem water needs. This binational project encompasses development and implementation of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary “Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis” on a drainage-basin scale, and subsequent development of a “Strategic Action Program” between Mexico and the United States Relevant activities include identification and analysis of the plethora of scientific, management, institutional, cultural and policy information needed to develop a transboundary action program for the sustainable use of the Rio Grande and its basin. The ultimate goal is a comprehensive, integrated binational management plan, achievement of which is deemed essential to successfully addressing the serious human and environmental problems confronting this important transboundary river.

Brazos River – RSI is combining applied aquatic conservation science with on-the-ground conservation actions (e.g., land acquisition, habitat restoration, stewardship, restoration of ecological flows, landowner outreach), in order to better understand the relationships among the river’s watershed-scale physical properties, watershed land-use patterns, water quality and quantity, and the ecological processes that provide ecosystem services to the human community. The results of this research will provide valuable guidance in formulating conservation strategies that assure long-term sustainable river management and biodiversity conservation for this watershed, while also taking into account the needs of the human community.

Pedernales River –RSI is implementing a multidisciplinary research program directed to developing an integrated conservation plan for the watershed, including its current environmental status, the likely effects of future land and water use changes on water quality and quantity, and instream flow needs and habitat quality. The ultimate goal is to provide data and information on development patterns and land and livestock management in the watershed.

Blanco River – RSI has conducted extensive research to characterize the water quality and ecological resources of this river basin, including resident surveys. The research focuses on land use and land cover changes over the past 20 years, and will included development of a Decision Support System to simulate these changes and identify their driving forces, as well as the associated consequences to the river’s ecological health and the well-being of the basin inhabitants. The study results will provide insights into new approaches to environmental management for this watershed.

Cypress Creek – RSI is implementing this project, directed to the preservation of the long-term integrity and sustainability of this watershed, and the maintenance of water quality standards for present and future generations. This project focuses on developing a comprehensive watershed protection plan and a Decision Support System for reducing nonpoint-source pollution and empowering watershed decision-makers with scientifically-sound, understandable, and usable management information and guidance.

Lower Colorado River – RSI oversees a scientific review panel studying the feasibility of storing unused water in this river in an off-channel storage facility, as a means of meeting the future water needs for the city of San Antonio. Activities include assessing the feasibility of reducing agricultural irrigation water demands with conservation practices and measures, and the conjunctive use of groundwater when surface water supplies are limited. The potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of constructing, operating and maintaining the needed water storage facilities also are being evaluated.