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Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants

Program Leaders:
Chris Carlson -
Ground Water Program Leader

Sherry Hazelhurst -
Surface Water Program Leader

Rick Swanson -
Wetlands & Riparian Program Leader

Jean Thomas -
Water Rights & Uses Program Leader

Vacant -
BAER/Watershed Improvement Program Leader

Randy Davis -
Soil Program Leader

Region Program Leaders
PDF (44 KB)
DOC (56 KB)



Research Programs

Water Facts
doc (198 KB)
pdf (274 KB)

Presentations or Webinars

Helen Ingram at USU:
Beyond Universal Remedies for Good Water Governance: A Political and Contextual Approach

Related USFS Links:
Water Information

Climate Change Resource Center

FishXing website

Portable Electronic Presentations

Advancing the Fundamental Sciences
[Select Presentations]

Water-Road Interaction Monographs

Roads Analysis

NFSL - Surf Alert (FSWeb Internal; visit Watershed FSWeb page)

Forest Service 'Watershed' includes the areas of Watershed Restoration, Water Rights, Water Quality, Hydrology, Ground Water, Riparian, and Wetlands.

Each watershed area has a program leader assisting field scientists in attaining the Chief's watershed priorities and managing resources from a healthy ecosystem perspective.


Water is one of the most important natural resources flowing from forests. The Forest Service manages the largest single source of water in U.S., with about 18% originating from 193 million acres of land. A network of water and watershed resource specialists support stewardship efforts at all levels of the organization to promote healthy, sustainable watersheds fundamental to ecosystems and people.

The Forest Service Washington Office (WO) Watershed Team leads core Agency programs in Watershed Restoration, Water Rights & Uses, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian & Wetlands. The broader Watershed Team includes fisheries biologists, aquatic ecologists, geologists, and soil scientists who lead complimentary programs within the staff group. Program leaders support regional and field scientists and managers as well as line officers with technical guidance to conserve, protect, and restore the soil, riparian, water and aquatic resources of the national forests and grasslands.

What is a Watershed?

It is the drainage area of a landscape where water from rain or melting snow and ice drains downhill into a body of water such as river, lake, reservoir, pond, estuary, wetland, aquifer, sea, or ocean. Watersheds include the streams, lakes, and shallow aquifers that store and convey the water as well as the land surfaces from which water drains and the aquatic ecosystems that they support. Topography and geology determine where the water flows, and thus are used to separate adjacent drainage basins into a hierarchical structure in which small watersheds drain into progressively larger ones.

Figure – Watersheds near the Klamath Basin, CA & OR.  Provided by USGS.
Figure: Watersheds near the Klamath Basin, CA & OR


Photograph: Odell lake with conifer vegetation and snow capped moutain in the distance.

Water - Chief Emphasis Area

News

Recommended Readings

Water Education

News

The “Wagon Wheel Gap” Hydrologist of the Year Award
Mark Story, Forest Hydrologist, Water & Air Program Leader, Gallatin NF - Northern Region (R1)

Mark has effectively led the Gallatin NF’s water and air programs for more than 15 years. He has been instrumental in the development and leadership of the Greater Yellowstone (GY) Hydrologist and Air Quality Groups. In 2007, Mark contributed significantly to tracking and reporting on air quality threats in the GY area; preparing an alternative to total maximum daily load (TMDL) by completing and documenting comprehensive restoration projects in the Taylor Fork; and responding to wildfires by leading several burned-area emergency response (BAER) teams.


Mentor
Arnie (Skip) Rosquist – Hydrologist & Watershed Program Manager, Lolo NF - Northern Region (R1)

Skip was nominated by the Lolo NF and the Northern Regional Office. He has served as the Forest Hydrologist and Watershed Program Manager on the Lolo NF since 1977. Throughout his career, Skip has made extraordinary efforts to mentor and guide many young professionals. His foresight, gentle guidance, and consistent support and commitment to employee success has led to outstanding, high-quality work – not only for himself, but also for the cadre of aquatic professionals that have been fortunate to benefit from his mentorship.

NEMI - National Environmental Methods Index
The National Environmental Methods Index (www.nemi.gov) is a free, searchable clearinghouse of methods and procedures for monitoring water, sediment, air, and tissues. It is sponsored by the EPA and USGS. The tool can be used to compare and contrast performance, costs, and methodologies as well as verify field and laboratory protocols or procedures. Now, it can also be used to gauge a method's "greenness" profile. The profile is summarized by a four quadrant circle that is colored green if it meets criteria for being enviromentally friendly with respect to hazardous waste; PBT-persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic; corrosive; and waste amount.
Example of water analysis
This tool is dynamic; new information is continually added. They are currently working on expanding biological and automated sampling protocols. If you see something that should be added, you can submit it following the instructions on the website. Please share this information with others who may find it useful.

Climate Change and Water -- New Brochure
The new brochure, "In Brief - Climate Change; Perspectives from the Forest Service", which highlights some key concepts important to forested watersheds that are emerging through a growing body of literature. Our Watershed staffs (agency wide) helped in the development of this brochure. Read the brochure (PDF), share the information, and discuss the ideas with others. In addition to the brochure, Forest Service scientists and managers are collaborating on a report that exploring how climate change may impact water resources and associated management on national forests and grasslands. Stay tuned for that report! More information & tools for land managers...
More information - climate change, water, kids...


Image: water and climate change brochure cover.


National Watershed Boundary Maps to be Completed in 2008
Several federal, state and tribal agencies have been collaborating with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to complete a nationally consistent watershed boundary map for 6th level hydrologic units (12-digit HUCs) in the United States. This extensive effort is expected to be completed by the end of September for the contiguous U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and by December for Alaska. Many states have certified layers that can already be used. Thanks to Ted Geier, R9, and Greg Enstrom, NRIS, for their work in coordinating USFS contributions to this project.
More information and status map showing completed states: pdf
(158 KB)
Map Image of the united states divided up by state boundaries and watershed boundary definitions.



Wagon Wheel Gap Award Winners 2006
Water is a fundamental natural resource critical to sustaining the life and health of humans and ecosystems. The Forest Service provides hydrology management, leadership, research, and stewardship expertise for protecting, maintaining, improving, and restoring surface and ground water resources. Through these efforts, the Forest Service sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

The Wagon Wheel Gap Award recognizes a high level of performance by hydrologists and hydrologic technicians in all branches of the Forest Service engaged in watershed management on National Forests and Grasslands or in the Regional Offices, or conducting watershed research at laboratories or in Stations, the IITF, or in delivery of hydrologic services to domestic or overseas partners as part of their normal duties. This award is named in honor of the first watershed experiments in the United States at the Wagon Wheel Gap Experimental Forest on the Rio Grande National Forest.

In 2006, three awards are being presented - one within each Deputy area: Research, State and Private Forestry, and the National Forest System.

Congratulations Greg, Albert and Michael!
Photograph: Greg S. Bevenger, Albert Todd, Michael Furniss pose with their awards and Anne Zimmermann, Director of WFW USFS


FS & EPA Sign MOA
Sherry Hazelhurst
Excerpt from EPA "Water Headlines", Oct 1, 2007: Benjamin H. Grumbles

Forest Service and EPA Increase Coordination to Improve Water Quality
The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have agreed on new steps designed to improve water quality on National Forests and Grasslands. On Friday, September 28, Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell and EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin Grumbles signed a Memorandum of Agreement that enables both agencies to increase coordinated efforts to manage, protect, and restore the health of the Nation's water resources.

"This agreement highlights the benefits that can be created when federal agencies acknowledge a shared vision and come together to work toward a common goal," said Kimbell. "By combining the organizational strengths and capabilities of the Forest Service with EPA's Office of Water, we are leveraging the best assets of both agencies to improve water quality on national forest lands."

"Healthy forests need clean water, and clean water needs healthy forests", said Grumbles. This EPA-Forest Service agreement is a blueprint for protecting America's watersheds on national forests and grasslands.

More than 60 million Americans get their water from sources on the National Forests in addition to municipal water supplies. Watersheds play an important role in supporting aquatic species and biodiversity and provide recreational opportunities to millions of visitors each year. Data shows that approximately eight percent of all water quality impairments nationally are located on National Forest System lands. Leading causes of these impairments include elevated temperatures, excess sediment, and habitat modification.

This agreement identifies areas in which the Forest Service and EPA will increase coordination of activities and cooperation with states, territories and tribes to address water quality impairments on National Forest System lands and accelerate attainment of water quality standards.

MOA (pdf 2.46 MB)
FS Press Release (pdf 60 KB)
Also available through EPA

EPA TMDL Reports (Total Maximum Daily Reports)



Reading Recommendations

Low-Water Crossings: Geomorphic, Biological, and Engineering Design Considerations
USDA Forest Service, San DimasTechnology & Development Center/Engineering
July 2007; 350+ pages -- the 21 case studies are 200 of the pages
Downloadable 0625 1808P (Downloads by chapter)

Hard copies available - quantities limited.
Contact: gtoyama@fs.fed.us

Photograph: guide cover showing a low-water crossing.

Technical Guide to Managing Ground Water Resources
USDA Forest Service, Minerals & Geology Management/
Watershed, Fish, Widlife, Air & Rare Plants/Engineering
FS-881
May 2007; pdf (7.74 MB)



U.S. National Academies Water Information Center:
Peer Reviewed Reports

 Water Education

Illustration: clip from video.  Junior Raindrop.

  • Streamkeeper Academy (The Adopt-A-Stream Foundation at the Northwest Stream Center, WA; Independent)

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Disclaimers | Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) | Privacy Notice

Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants (WFW)
Washington, D.C. Office
Author: Shelly Witt, National Continuing Education Coordinator, WFW staff
Email: switt01@fs.fed.us
Phone: 435-881-4203
Publish_date:1/20/99
Expires: none

Photo Credits

USDA Forest Service
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090
(202) 205-8333