Locating Resource Data

Accurate demographic, economic and resource information specific to a watershed is crucial in the development of a successful watershed management plan. Information to be gathered includes watershed boundaries, rainfall, soil type, current water quality, hydrology, ordinances, threatened and endangered species, natural resources, current conservation projects, land use and a community profile.

Gathering information can be done in a variety of ways. The Planning Committee and Technical Committee may be responsible for gathering the information or a subcommittee may be formed to address the collection of such data. Sources that can be used to locate resource data information include plat maps, soil surveys, GIS mapping tools, aerial photos, census data, past studies of the watershed and surveys. Analyzing the data and information about the watershed helps to clearly define the status of the natural resources within the watershed.

Demographic:

Bureau of Census
Local or Regional Planning Agencies

Geographic Information Systems:

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois State Water Survey
Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
USGS Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Illinois Department of Agriculture

Resources

Water Resources of the United States
From: United States Geological Survey
Information and links to water data, technical resources, programs and publications.
water.usgs.gov/
American Heritage Rivers Services
From: EPA
Catalog of services available to those working to improve the health of rivers across the nation.
www.epa.gov/rivers/services/
Illinois Water Quality Information
From: USGS IEPA
Water-quality data related to the Federal Clean Water Act. Mapping Tool were uses can locate, create, and print maps within Illinois.
il.water.usgs.gov/proj/wqinfo/index.html
Natural Resource Checklist
From: Conservation Technology Information Center
Natural resource checklist, that contains items that are used in writing a watershed management planning. Provides assist to the watershed planning committee on information for a Watershed Management Plan.
www.ctic.purdue.edu/kyw/tmdl/TipsAndHints/NatResChecklist.html
Rapid Bioassessment Protocols
From: US EPA
Reference for conducting quick, basic, and cost-effective assessments of stream quality.
www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/rbp/index.html
Social Demenisions of Watershed Planning
From: University of Illinois
Web site and workbook that provide a general overview of the importance of social issues to the watershed planning process and also provide detailed guidance on how to assess these issues in individual watersheds. A social profile is a collection of baseline data that describes characteristics of a community or people in a defined area.
www.watershedplanning.uiuc.edu/
Surf Your Watershed
From: US EPA
Helps you locate and use watershed information.
www.epa.gov/surf/
Total Maximum Daily Load
From: IEPA
Place to find the latest news about TMDL, current 303d List, and an interactive map engine.
www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/
View USGS Maps and Aerial Photo Images Online
From: USGS
Provides links to USGS maps and aerial photo images that you can view from your Web browser
mapping.usgs.gov/partners/viewonline.html
Watershed Information Network
From: US EPA
Information and assistance on protecting and restoring watersheds.
www.epa.gov/win/