Planning Tools to Evaluate Water Quality Impacts Related to Landuse Changes

(Vegetated retention pond--South Bend, IN Stormwater Management Program)

   Listed below are a number of web-based tools to aid in evaluating how a change in landuse--agricultural to commercial, forested to roads and highways, etc.--will impact water quality.  Depending on the site chosen, you will be able to determine the change in  runoff, the change in the amount of particular pollutants, or actually get design information on sediment and runoff devices such as detention basins, culvert sizing, etc.

   These sites have been developed for use by policy makers and the general public in identifying preliminary impacts of a landuse change.  A warning must be made in that the information is general and does not replace a site-specific evaluation.  These tools were developed by leading universities in the region with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Digital Watershed -- This tool is designed to provide both a centralized information repository and an online 
                    computing center for watersheds in the United States. This site is based on the comprehensive database of 
                    8-digit watersheds for the whole continent of the United States 

Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) -- The information on this site helps 
                    local governments with environmental, public health and quality of life issues. The site serves as a link to 
                          various resource professionals, includes a message board for online discussion with other 
                    local government officials that may have similar experiences in meeting the challenges of 
                          administrating local government, and includes resource information on relevant topics.

Long Term Hydrological Impact Analysis (L-THIA) --  This tool developed through Purdue University, 
                    provides estimates of changes in runoff, recharge and nonpoint source pollution resulting from 
                        landuse changes.  

SedSpec --  this tool assists in analyzing runoff and erosion problems on a specific site by determining peak rate of 
                        runoff from the area.  The analysis provides information about different types of runoff and 
                        erosion control structures.

Web-Based GIS and Decision Support System for Hydrological/Water Quality Impact Analysis  -- This site
                     provides links to a number of water quality tools that not only allow landuse impact analysis for water quality, but 
                  also includes information on wellhead protection, watershed delineations, Environmental Quality Incentive
                     Program (E.Q.I.P.) qualifying watersheds and information, and a resource for best management practices.