Watershed management in the United States in the 21st Century

Abstract

Views of watershed management in the 21st Century are presented in terms of concept, status, progress and future of watershed planning. The watershed as a unit will increasingly be the basis of planning because the concept is widely understood, many state and federal laws require such a focus, and watersheds are a logical entity for monitoring purposes. Impediments to watershed planning remain, but progressive and effective policies are evolving in response to public demand that diverse land uses and users protect the watershed resources. Watershed management will be improved by new computer technology tools, more effective integration of social sciences capabilities, and advanced legal and institutional incentives for landowners and users. Research needs identified include better integration of computational capabilities with spatial and temporal information, watershed monitoring capabilities, mechanisms for evaluating watershed policies and programs, and better understanding of basic hydrology and the effects of multiple land user disturbances on water resources on a large scale.

Parent Publication

• Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ

Citation

Thorud, David B.; Brown, George W.; Boyle, Brian J.; Ryan, Clare M. 2000. Watershed management in the United States in the 21st Century. In: Ffolliott, Peter F.; Baker Jr., Malchus B.; Edminster, Carleton B.; Dillon, Madelyn C.; Mora, Karen L., tech. coords. Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-13. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 57-64.