Watershed Management Program Research Articles

Toward a collaborative approach to watershed management: Lessons learned from the Boone River Watershed, Iowa

W ater quality degradation is a problem of local and national concern. Nutrients, sediment, and bacteria from nonpoint agricultural sources pose a public health risk, reduce biodiversity, and contribute to hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. For decades, agricultural communities have struggled to manage nutrient and soil loss, but public concern over water quality has led to enhanced efforts to build innovative watershed management programs. The Boone River Watershed (BRW) initiative in north central Iowa, United States, is a large, multistakeholder effort to design a scalable system of adaptive watershed management. Program partners include environmental and agricultural organizations from public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These groups collaborate to improve environmental performance on multiple scales while preserving farmer well-being. Partners' dedication to a watershed-wide, multiscale monitoring program and to working with local farmers has enabled them to target solutions, leverage funding, and engage new stakeholders. In 2012, partners commissioned a three-part science evaluation to measure biophysical and socioeconomic indicators of success, identify remaining barriers, and offer recommendations for future program outputs. Our team conducted a third-party evaluation of social dynamics in the BRW to provide insight on improving partner alignment and farmer engagement. Here we present findings and recommendations useful to…

Morphometry and land cover based multi-criteria analysis for assessing the soil erosion susceptibility of the western Himalayan watershed.

Complex mountainous environments such as Himalayas are highly susceptibility to natural hazards particular those that are triggered by the action of water such as floods, soil erosion, mass movements and siltation of the hydro-electric power dams. Among all the natural hazards, soil erosion is the most implicit and the devastating hazard affecting the life and property of the millions of people living in these regions. Hence to review and devise strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of soil erosion is of utmost importance to the planners of watershed management programs in these regions. This paper demonstrates the use of satellite based remote sensing data coupled with the observational field data in a multi-criteria analytical (MCA) framework to estimate the soil erosion susceptibility of the sub-watersheds of the Rembiara basin falling in the western Himalaya, using geographical information system (GIS). In this paper, watershed morphometry and land cover are used as an inputs to the MCA framework to prioritize the sub-watersheds of this basin on the basis of their different susceptibilities to soil erosion. Methodology included the derivation of a set of drainage and land cover parameters that act as the indicators of erosion susceptibility. Further the output from the MCA resulted in the categorization of the sub-watersheds into low, medium, high and very high erosion susceptibility classes. A detailed prioritization map for the susceptible sub-watersheds based on the combined role of land cover and morphometry is finally presented. Besides, maps identifying the susceptible sub-watersheds based on morphometry and land cover only are also presented. The results of this study are part of the watershed management program in the study area and are directed to instigate appropriate measures to alleviate the soil erosion in the study area.

Quality of water and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli from water sources of hilly tribal villages with and without integrated watershed management-a one year prospective study.

In many hilly tribal areas of the world, water scarcity is a major problem and diarrhoea is common. Poor quality of water also affects the environment. An integrated watershed management programme (IWMP) aims to increase availability of water and to improve life conditions. Globally, there is a lack of information on water contamination, occurrence of diarrhoea and antibiotic resistance, a serious global concern, in relation to IWMP in hilly tribal areas. Therefore, a prospective observational study was conducted during 2011–2012 in six villages in a hilly tribal belt of India, three with and three without implementation of an IWMP, to explore quality of water, diarrhoeal cases in the community and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli from water sources. The results showed that physico-chemical quality of water was within limits of safe consumption in all samples. The odds of coliform contamination in water samples was 2.3 times higher in non-watershed management villages (NWMV) compared to integrated watershed management villages (IWMV) (95% CI 0.8–6.45, p = 0.081). The number of diarrhoeal cases (18/663 vs. 42/639, p < 0.05) was lower in IWMV as compared to NWMV. Overall E. coli isolates showed high susceptibility to antibiotics. Resistance to a wider range of antibiotics was observed in NWMV.

RETRACTED: Hydrological modeling using SWAT model and geoinformatic techniques

In India the availability of accurate information on runoff is scarce. However in view of the quickening watershed management programme for conservation and development of natural resources and its management, runoff information assumes great relevance. Soil and Water Assess- ment Tool (SWAT) is a physically based distributed parameter model which has been developed to predict runoff, erosion, sediment and nutrient transport from agricultural watersheds under differ- ent management practices. For the present study, Satluj basin up to the Bhakra dam has been selected as the study region. The basic intent of the present study is to derive the parameters required for runoff modeling using the geospatial database and estimate the runoff of the Satluj basin. During the basic data preparation stage of the study, the land use map and the digital eleva- tion model covering the study area were derived with the help of remotely sensed information. Weather data have been analysed for thirty years with the help of ENVI and ERDAS softwares to calculate the mean monthly values of each weather parameter. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mis- sion (SRTM) data have been imported in the SWAT project to start watershed delineation. Six hun- dred and eight hydrological resource units are created by defining the land use, soil and slope conditions. By providing all the inputs for model set up, SWAT model was simulated for the period of thirty years (year 1980-2010). After the successful execution of the model, it shows the sediment yield to be highest in April and May months with a total sediment loading of about 51.27 T/HA. Result of stream flow is validated with observed data of Kasol with RMSE and r 2 techniques. The average annual surface runoff is about 79.67 mm. Such type of runoff modeling is of immense importance for reservoir management of the Bhakra dam of the Satluj basin. Further, this model can be utilized as a potential tool for water resource management of the Satluj basin. 2014 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences.

Flood Assessment in the Context of Sustainable Development using the DPSIR Framework

The assessment in the context of sustainable development is a holistic approach for assessing the impacts and trade-offs related to various land and water management options. It is a procedure in which a knowledge-based approach should be derived to develop a basis for decision making. A Diver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework has been adopted to carry out the assessment. It is illustrated in the case of Gorganrood Basin (located in the north east of Iran) for the issue of flood to describe the relationship between the origin and consequences of flooding and also to understand the dynamics underpinning the problem. The analysis of the state of flood by DPSIR shows that the responses in Gorganrood Basin have led to inadequate problem-solving results not even effective to reduce system sensitivity to flood in the long term. In the context of DPSIR some reasonable responses may be regarded as decreasing the rates of urbanization, deforestation, land consolidation, and immigration; watershed management programs; and river dredging. DPSIR helps in structuring data in a reasonable way and allows decision makers to trace step wise fundamental problem drivers and explores leverage points where appropriate responses can be exerted.

Peoples’ Participation in Integrated Watershed Management Programme in Haryana

Peoples’ Participation in Integrated Watershed Management Programme in Haryana

Sustainability Assessment of Humid Tropical Watershed: A Case of Batang Merao Watershed, Indonesia

Tropical watershed faces many problems that hamper its sustainability, such as land degradation, water pollution, water scarcity and several socio-economic pressures. Batang Merao watershed was selected as it is a buffer zone of a UNESCO tropical rainforest heritage site in Kerinci Seblat National Park, Indonesia. This study aimed to assess the sustainability of Batang Merao Watershed for the period of 2006-2011 using HELP (Hydrology, Environment, Life and Policy) indicators. The results showed, the watershed was at an intermediate level of watershed sustainability (overall WSI score = 0.59) and was still in high pressure due to its pressure parameter score (0.78), which was higher than both state and the response parameters (0.50). Therefore, it is urgent to improve the integrated watershed management programs for achieving the sustainability of this watershed.

Analyzing Local Community Participation in Watershed Management Programs in Iran

Purpose of this study is to explore level of local community participation in Watershed Management Programs (WMP) within the rural population in Iran, and explore how level of people participation varies according to their socio demographic backgrounds. Data for this study were collected from 200 respondents through personal interviews using a pre-coded questionnaire from three villages in Hable-Rud basin during the August and September of 2008. Descriptive analysis, independent t-test, and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to analyze the data. Results of this study indicated that level of local people participation in WMP was moderate to low and there was variation in patterns of participation. Data showed significant differences between level of participation in gender, marital status, educational groups, occupational groups, sources of motivation to join to program, and number of local group membership.

Hydrologic Connectivity in the High-Elevation Tropics: Heterogeneous Responses to Land Change

In the high-elevation humid tropics, human- and climate-driven land transitions can alter hydrologic connections between the atmosphere and surface waters, with local and downstream effects. We conducted a data synthesis to examine the influence of forest-to-grassland conversion, agroforest-to-nonforest conversion, tree plantation establishment on nonforest land, and recent glacier retreat on throughfall, evapotranspiration, runoff, and nitrate fluxes in montane Latin America (including the Caribbean) and Hawaii. Our synthesis reveals heterogeneous—sometimes unexpected—responses to land change. For example, in contrast with temperate highlands, forest-to-grassland conversion in the high-elevation tropics often results in little runoff increase and lower streamwater nitrate loss. Tree plantation establishment leads to diminished runoff; the magnitude of this effect is tenfold greater than with forest-to-grassland transitions. We highlight cases in which land use, land cover, and water relationships derived from temperate ecosystems do not apply to and, therefore, should not underpin watershed management programs in the high-elevation tropics.

The Use of Stakeholder Analysis in Integrated Watershed Management

In the Ngenge watershed, at Mt. Elgon in the eastern Ugandan highlands, agricultural practices cause serious soil erosion problems and subsequent decrease in soil and water quality. Attempts to manage soil erosion through policy interventions have not been successful, because existing policies and legislation for natural resource management are inadequate and often formulated without consulting local communities. In the Ngenge watershed, an integrated watershed management (IWM) program was initiated to foster sustainable land and water management solutions. Experience shows that successes in IWM programs depend on effective participation by all relevant groups of stakeholders. The present study investigates the usability of a stakeholder analysis (SA) and how it has to be linked with participatory problem identification and participatory formulation of action and work plans to build a base for effective IWM. The SA considered the following criteria: (1) stakeholders' commitment to implement IWM, (2) their power to influence policy-making and implementation processes, and (3) the expected impact of the IWM program on the stakeholders. The SA allowed identification of key groups of stakeholders who participated in workshops and jointly developed concrete action and work plans. These workshop outputs, together with the positive feedback of the stakeholders and the commitment of policy-makers to continue the process, are good indicators that SA is a useful means for supporting the development of IWM strategies.

Community Participation in Watershed Management Programs

Problem statement: Several studies in other countries had shown the in fluence of socio demographic, knowledge, satisfaction and attitudina l factors in level of community participation in development programs. The question here is, whether these factors would also be effective on community participation in WMP in Iran? Objective: Determine the factors which are influence community participation in order to enhance their p articipation in Watershed Management Programs (WMP) in Iran. Approach: A cross sectional survey design was carried out fo r this study. Data were collected from 200 respondents which are randomly selected from three villages in Hable-Rud basin. Data were gathered through personal interviews by using a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysi s were employed to analyze the data. Results: Findings of this study showed that satisfaction of prior programs had highest relationship with level of participation (r = 0.518, p = 0.000), and followed by attitude toward WMP (r = 0.489, p = 0.000) knowledge of WMP (r = 0.435, p = 0.000), total monthly income (r = 0.177, p = 0.012) and alternative monthly income (r = 0.158, p = 0.025). However multiple regression analysis discovered that, four independent variables are important for explaining variation in the level of participation. These variables were; satisfaction of prior program s, attitude toward WMP, knowledge of WMP and alternative monthly income, and these variables exp lained 43.6% of variation in level of participation . Conclusion/Recommendations: The results of this study indicated that high level of satisfaction of prior programs, positive attitude toward WMP, high knowledge of WMP and high level of alternative income increase level of community participation in WMP in Iran. This study also provided a number of implications and recommendations to increase the level of community participation in WMP.

Assessing impacts of bioenergy crops and climate change on hydrometeorology in the Yazoo River Basin, Mississippi

The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of bioenergy crop production, such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus×giganteus), and climate change on hydrometeorology. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate hydrometeorological consequences and crop yields in the Yazoo River Basin (YRB) in northwestern Mississippi. Modeling results of streamflow and soybean and corn yields during the calibration and validation periods were consistent with the observed data. The yields of bioenergy crops were predicted using the calibrated SWAT model. In order to generate future climate change data, the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab (GFDL) CM2.1 global coupled climate model was selected as a general circulation model (GCM). The output of the GFDL CM2.1 with the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B emission was downscaled by LARS-WG stochastic weather generator. Eight scenarios including bioenergy crop production and climate change were evaluated using the SWAT model. The results of this study indicate that the bioenergy crops will increase annual evapotranspiration and decrease annual surface water, water yield and streamflow. Furthermore, the future climate change scenarios showed that the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will decrease annual evapotranspiration, which eventually will lead to an increase in annual surface runoff, water yield, and streamflow. However, decreased precipitation in the future periods will be the dominant cause of a decrease in annual evapotranspiration, surface runoff, water yield, and streamflow. Comparison of all scenarios showed that climate change is likely to affect hydrometeorology more significantly than bioenergy crop production, and the scenarios of the conversion of soybean and corn to miscanthus are more significant than the switchgrass scenarios. This study will help to develop future watershed management programs related to bioenergy crop production and climate change conditions within the Yazoo River Basin, which may also be applied in other geographic areas in the country and abroad.

Water utility leadership and its key role in protecting aquatic ecosystems

Utilities are in a pivotal position to promote watershed management programs, cooperate in improving instream flows, and bring together various local stakeholders to safeguard aquatic ecosystems for the mutual benefit of all.

Empirical appraisal of Jiulong River Watershed Management Program

Integrated watershed management is becoming a prominent approach in China although the effectiveness of watershed programs has been contested. This study presents a systematic framework and set of indicators for conducting a detailed evaluation of the Jiulong River Watershed Program (JRWP) in China by assessing the implementation process, outputs and outcomes as well as exploring the implementation gap. The empirical appraisal demonstrated that although the JRWP succeeded in establishing a high-level coordinating mechanism, innovative eco-compensation system and strict binding mechanisms, it did not fully achieve its desired objectives. The implementation gap analysis shows that some failures of the JRWP are closely associated with the socioeconomic and political complications in China, in addition to the issue of program design. Future watershed programs must consider the specific socioeconomic situation and political structure of China in order to ensure the effectiveness of watershed management programs.

Hydrological Evolution of Wetland in Naoli River Basin and its Driving Mechanism

Naoli river basin(NRB), with an area of 24,863 km2, is the largest basin and also the largest marsh distribution area in Sanjiang Plain, Heilongjiang, China. The hydrological evolution process of wetland in NRB has made a marked ecological responses for anthropic activities, also reflects the drying trend of the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Global climate warming also contributes to the hydrological evolution process. The following key research results are obtained: (1) The monthly average water level of Naoli river at Caizuizi hydrological station in different ages showed a marked decline tendency, the annual mean water level dropped from 96.63 m during 1960–1969 to 95.59 m during 2000–2005, the water level drawdown is 1.04 m; (2) The annual runoff flowing into wetlands in NRB decreased. Duration of Naoli river and its tributaries being thoroughly frozen from riverbed to river-water-surface showed an prolonged trend, and the water level drawdown in frozen seasons increased. The water storage capacities of wetlands in NRB declined. (3) The interactions between ground water and surface water in wetland areas are close. The ground water level variation span is bigger than that of surface water level in wetland areas of NRB. The drawdown of ground water level promotes the surface water level to decline, correspondingly. In recent 20 years, the cultivated area extension of rice field in upstream NRB has made an adverse influence on the hydrological processes of wetlands. (4) The wetland area decrease and farmland area increase significantly contribute to the runoff depth decrease of wetlands in NRB. The runoff depth variability has been mostly posed by anthropic activities. (5) Reservoirs, ditches and dykes in NRB have greatly changed the runoff generation processes. Thickness of the seasonal frozen soil layer becoming thinner and the evaporation potential becoming bigger also contribute to the runoff depth reduction and the water level drawdown of rivers. The present study results will provide a scientific basic for developing an integrated watershed management program for NRB, especially, restoring the wetland hydrological processes, maintaining or improving the wetland structure and enhancing the wetland service functions.

Comparison of Potential Bio-Energy Feedstock Production and Water Quality Impacts Using a Modeling Approach

Cellulosic and agricultural bio-energy crops can be utilized as feedstock source for bio-fuels production and provide environmental benefits such as hydrology, water quality. This study compared potential feedstock yield and water quality benefit scenarios of six bio-energy crops: Miscanthus (Miscanthus-giganteus), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Corn (Zea mays), and Soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merr.} at the watershed scale using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The SWAT model was calibrated (1998 to 2002) and validated (2003 to 2010) using monthly measured USGS stream flow data. Model was further verified using available monthly sediment yield, and county level NASS corn and soybean yield data within the watershed. The long-term average annual potential feedstock yield as an alternative energy source was determined the greatest when growing Miscanthus grass scenario (21.9 Mg/ha) followed by Switchgrass (15.2 Mg/ha), Johnsongrass (12.1 Mg/ha), Alfalfa (7 Mg/ha), Corn (5.9 Mg/ha), and Soybean (2.35 Mg/ha). Model results determined the least amount of average annual sediment yield (1.1 Mg/ha) from the Miscanthus grass scenario and the greatest amount (12 Mg/ha) from the corn crop scenario. About 11% less annual average surface water flow from the watershed could be anticipated when converting land areas from soybean to Miscanthus grass. The results of this study suggested that growing Miscanthus grass in the UPRW would have the greatest potential feedstock yield and water quality benefits. The results of this study may help in developing future watershed management programs.

Spatial variation in drainage characteristics and geomorphic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH); implications for watershed management—A case study of the Varada River basin, Northern Karnataka

Abstract Geomorphological characteristics can be treated as signatures of hydrological responses. Geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) is of utmost use in planning watershed management programs on a broad scale in absence of hydrologic data. Fifth order basins from different agroclimatic zones in the Varada River basin were selected to understand the spatial variation in drainage characteristics. These sub-basins show significant differences in their morphometric properties such as basin area, drainage density, bifurcation ratio, circularity ratio, constant of channel maintenance etc. These differences reflect variation in the hydrological process and geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) of different sub-basins and can be used to understand watershed management aspects. Fifth order sub-basin in the Southern Transition agroclimatic zone is potential for artificial recharge programs. Sub-basins in the Hilly non-forest zone on the north are ideal for surface water storage like tank development program while Forested Hilly zone on the north are environmentally sensitive and prone to erosion.

Incorporating Social Context Variables Into Paired Watershed Designs to Test Nonpoint Source Program Effectiveness1

Prokopy, Linda Stalker, Z. Asligül Göçmen, Jing Gao, Shorna Broussard Allred, Joseph E. Bonnell, Kenneth Genskow, Alicia Molloy, and Rebecca Power, 2011. Incorporating Social Context Variables Into Paired Watershed Designs to Test Nonpoint Source Program Effectiveness. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(1):196-202. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00508.x Abstract: In a traditional paired watershed study, watersheds are selected to be as similar as possible so that conclusions may be drawn about the performance of Best Management Practices. We have extended the paired watershed concept to examine the effectiveness of watershed management programs by adding comparative criteria for social characteristics. For four different 8 or 11/12 digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watersheds in the Midwest, we have piloted a systematic method for selecting paired subwatersheds. First, we developed a list of 11 key variables. Next, a factor analysis was conducted to determine the underlying structure of the 11 input variables. Finally, in each of the four watersheds, potential paired subwatersheds (all 14 digit HUCs) were selected using the factors in a cluster analysis. Informal interviews were then held with key informants in each watershed to provide qualitative assessments of criteria that could impact the comparability of the subwatersheds. This method for selecting paired watersheds should be helpful for other researchers to test the effectiveness of watershed management programs focused on behavior change.

EVALUATING OPTIMIZED DIGITAL ELEVATION PRECIPITATION MODEL USING IDW METHOD (CASE STUDY: JAM & RIZ WATERSHED OF ASSALOYEH, IRAN)

A watershed management program is usually based on the results of watershed modeling. Accurate modeling results are decided by the appropriate parameters and input data. Precipitation is the most important input for watershed modeling. Precipitation characteristics usually exhibit significant spatial variation, even within small watersheds. Therefore, properly describing the spatial variation of precipitation is essential for predicting the water movement in a watershed. This study is concerned with mapping annual precipitation in Jam and Riz watershed of Iran, from sparse point data using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method. The objective in the optimization process is to minimize the estimated error of precipitation. Thus the performance of each interpolation was assessed through examination of mapped estimates of elevation. The results show that the estimated error is usually reduced by this method. Particularly, when optimized exponent in IDW method was selected for digital elevation model which, is secondary variable for the annual average precipitation gradient equation. It was conclude that IDW3 with the best conditions and lowest mean standard error provides the most accurate estimates of precipitation

Diagnosis of Secondary and Micronutrient Deficiencies and Their Management in Rainfed Agroecosystems: Case Study from Indian Semi‐arid Tropics

Rainfed agriculture in the semi‐arid tropical (SAT) regions of India is greatly influenced by water shortages caused by low, highly variable, and erratic rainfall. However, apart from water shortages, crop productivity in these regions is also affected by low fertility. Little effort has been devoted to diagnosing and managing the nutrient‐related problems in farmers' fields in the SAT regions of India. The ongoing integrated watershed management program by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐arid Tropics and its partners provided the opportunity to diagnose the soil infertility‐related problems by soil testing, develop nutrient management protocols, and determine on‐farm crop responses to fertilization in the SAT zone of India. This article discusses examples from recent research on the diagnosis of multinutrient deficiencies and on‐farm crop responses to fertilization. Results of analyses of soil samples from farmers' fields in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh states and Junagarh district, Gujarat, showed that almost all farmers' fields had low organic carbon (C), low to moderate available phosphorus (P), and generally adequate extractable potassium (K). However, the widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S), boron (B), and zinc (Zn) were most revealing; their deficiencies varied with nutrient, district, and state. On‐farm trials conducted during three seasons (2002–2004) in three districts of Andhra Pradesh showed significant yield responses of maize, castor, groundnut, and mung bean to the applications of S, B, and Zn over farmer's input treatment, and the yield responses were larger when these nutrients were added along with nitrogen (N) and P. It is concluded that the deficiencies of nutrients such as S, B, and Zn are widespread and are holding back the potential of rainfed production systems. Clearly, nutrient deficiencies can be diagnosed by soil testing.