California Watershed Assessment Manual

Volume I

The Volume I Manual chapters listed below have been developed, reviewed, edited, and revised by the project team and our technical editor and peer-reviewed by our Steering Committee. You can go to the MS Word version of each chapter by clicking on each chapter title. There is also a "pdf version" next to each one. The contents of the chapters are outlined beneath each heading. We have developed a "Glossary of Terms" to accompany the Guide and Manual. Finally, we have included a feedback form for comments on the Manual.

CWAM Cover and Executive Summary (with photos, 3 MB) (pdf version), CWAM Cover and Executive Summary (smaller version, 122 kb)

Complete Volume I Manual, including graphics and in color (8.3 MB)

Glossary of Terms (pdf version)

Chapter 1 Introduction (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

1.1 Audience and Purpose of the Manual
1.2 What are Watersheds and Watershed Assessments?
1.3 Watershed Adaptive Management
1.4 Approach Taken in this Manual
1.5 How Complex Should Your Assessment Be?
1.6 Manual Development
1.7 Next Steps in Manual's Evolution
1.8 References

Chapter 2 Planning the Watershed Assessment (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

2.1 Organize the Assessment Team: Assessment Planning as a Group and with the Community
2.2 Define the Purpose and Scope of the Assessment and Develop a Plan for Conducting the Assessment
2.3 Basic Watershed Assessment Process
2.4 Important Issues in Conducting a Watershed Assessment
2.5 References

Chapter 3 Watershed Basics (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

3.1 Geography
3.2 Hydrology
3.3 Climate
3.4 Flooding and Stormwater
3.5 Geology, Soils, and Sediment in Watersheds
3.6 Water Quality
3.7 Aquatic Ecosystems
3.8 Terrestrial Landscape and Habitats
3.9 Human Land Uses
3.10 Water Management and Uses
3.11 Social and Economic Setting
3.12 Historic Context and Analysis
3.13 References

Chapter 4 Collecting and Organizing Existing Data (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

4.1 Overview and Key Considerations
4.2 Sources of Numerical Data and Information
4.3 Archiving and Managing Numerical Data
4.4 Anecdotal Information
4.5 Types and Sources of Landscape Data
4.6 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Data
4.7 References

Chapter 5 Data Analysis and Presentation (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

5.1 Analysis Overview
5.2 Indices and Standards for Evaluation
5.3 Applying Statistics
5.4 Spatial and Temporal Analysis
5.5 Factors Complicating Interpretation of Statistical Analysis
5.6 Statistical Resources
5.7 References

Chapter 6 Information Integration (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

6.1 Choosing the Integration Approach
6.2 Understanding the Modeling Process
6.3 Cumulative Watershed Effects
6.4 Methods for Data Integration and Synthesis
6.5 Sensitivity Analyses and Developing Future Scenarios
6.6 References

Chapter 7 The Assessment Report (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

7.1 Alternative Forms of Report
7.2 Presentation of Data
7.3 Assessment Report Evaluation
7.4 Report Release and Publication
7.5 References

Chapter 8 Use of the Watershed Assessment for Decision-Making (pdf version)

Chapter Outline

8.1 Watershed Planning
8.2 Restoration Planning and Projects
8.3 Land-Use Planning
8.4 Public Lands Management
8.5 Water Management
8.6 Floodplain Management
8.7 Regulation
8.8 Voluntary Private Lands Management
8.9 Monitoring Programs
8.10 Watershed Adaptive Management
8.11 References