|
This page is a compilation of answers to the
FAQs related to Watershed Management.
General Information
What is a watershed?
Where are watersheds found?
Which is my watershed?
Watershed Roles and Functions
How does a watershed function?
What is the role of a wetland in a watershed?
Watershed Management
Why is watershed management important?
What are some of the solutions to address watershed
problems?
What can I do to get involved in the watershed
management process?
Total Maximum Daily Load
What is TMDL?
How has TMDL been established?
Who enforces TMDL standards?
General Information
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a land area the runoff from which drains into any stream,
river, lake or ocean. Drainage basin and catchment are also referred as
watershed. Watersheds are separated from each other and the boundaries are
called as watershed boundaries.
Where are watersheds found?
Every land area is a part of some watershed or the other. We can identify
our watershed by exploring the waterbody to which the water from our area
drains to.
Which is my watershed?
Environmental Protection Agency has compiled a nation-wide database,
Locate your watershed, which is searchable and
can be used to locate the watershed we live in. This database can be searched
from the place we live, zip code and a clickable map. The page also lets your
locate your watershed through the USGS Geographic Names Information system to
locate a watershed by landmarks such as schools, lakes, airports, parks and
more. You can visit the page and locate your watershed and more information on
it.
Watershed Roles and Functions
How does a watershed function?
A watershed has five main functions. These functions are
hydrological and ecological in nature.
Hydrological functions:
Ecological Functions:
What is the role of a wetland in
a watershed?
Wetlands are crucial in a watershed for various reasons but the most important
reason is their capability of functioning as natural water filters. Due to this
quality they help improve water-quality of the water downstream. Wetlands also
provide conducive atmosphere for many biogeochemical reactions to take place,
which help in removal of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, by converting
them from inorganic forms to organic forms. The site of a wetland in a watershed
is very important. For example a riparian wetland (wetland alongside of a
waterbody) are very important in a watershed as their ability to control and
improve water quality is of great importance to the whole watershed.
Watershed Management
Why is watershed management
important?
In the most general term watershed management is
important for the improvement and maintenance of good water quality in our
watershed. In the recent years the water quality standards have come under
stress due to increasing population, depleting water resources, bad
management practices. Addressing all the issues that concerns the water
resources of our watershed in any way come under the watershed management
strategy.
What are some of the solutions to
address watershed problems?
There are three main activities that are recommended for a good watershed
management practice:
-
Rehabilitating lands that are source of sediment loss and chemical export
-
Protecting the sensitive areas in the watershed so that resources can be
conserved that may be spent in rehabilitation of the same, otherwise
-
Improving the characteristics of water resources that affect the quality of
water
A watershed management team has to be a conglomeration of scientists and
management professionals. They all should work on improving and expediting
the process of improvement. There might arise a need for the education of
the members on complex issues that may require an interdisciplinary approach
of education. In that case the members can collaborate on the exchange of
information. Public involvement is the key to a good management practice of
the watershed. Public can provide useful information and its cooperation
will help make the management plan a success. More importantly, funds for
carrying out the process has be generated. These funds can come from
governmental sources or from donations.
What can I do to get involved in
the watershed management process?
There are various ways that we can get involved in the restoration, maintenance,
and preservation of our watershed. The first step towards is through responsible
attitude. There are many national and state level programs that are available
for participation. EPA has an
Adopt your watershed program that individuals
or teams can join. Or you can start your own volunteer group that gets active in
the watershed for its environmental preservation and protection. EPA also
recognizes the teams that have been involved in a watershed.
Total Maximum Daily Load
What is TMDL?
Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL is the maximum allowable
amount of pollutant that can be found in a waterbody and still may not be
established as impaired water.
How is TMDL established?
Establishing TMDL standard for a waterbody mainly takes into consideration
the assimilating quality of that waterbody. This is mostly done through a
computer model which involves data for a five-year-period collected by the
FDEP.
Who enforces TMDL standards?
Florida, Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
enforces the TMDL standards in the state of Florida. FDEP has to work in
conjunction with Allocation Technical Advisory Committee, which
consist of representatives of key stakeholder groups in Florida.
|
