1. Vision for the National Geospatial Framework for Surface Water Robert M. Hirsch Associate Director for Water U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

2. What is the Geospatial Framework for Surface Water? A standard set of Watershed Boundaries (WBD) coupled with a National Stream Network (NHD) and the Topography that dictates the flow of Water across the Land Surface (NED-H)

3. Vision: Follow a drop of water from where it falls on the land, to the stream, and all the way to the ocean.

4. What will this Accomplish: An appropriate system for referencing of information about: Withdrawl Points Discharge Points Gage Locations Sampling Points Providing logical connections: upstream, downstream, and in the watershed

5. Applications Organizing river related information Source water delineation Spill propagation & dilution modeling Watershed modeling Flood wave modeling Statistical inference of flow characteristics Statistical inference of water quality Monitoring network design Interpolation schemes for flow, concentration or transport

6. 4 Example Applications Massachusetts Streamstats Atrazine Regression Modeling SPARROW - Nutrients & Hypoxia Streamgage Network Design

7. Example: Massachusetts Streamstats Web Application

8. Regression Equations Used to estimate streamflow statistics for ungaged sites based on basin characteristics Equations developed by USGS Large effort by users to determine basin characteristics accurately

9. Example Basin Characteristics Regression equations take the form: Q 100 = 0.471A 0.715 E 0.827 SH 0.472 Drainage area is used in nearly all equations Other common variables include:  Basin slope, relief, or mean elevation  Precipitation (mean annual; 2-year, 24-hour)  Stream length or slope  Land use (forest, wetland, impervious, water)  Basin shape or orientation  Soils or surficial geology

10. Manually Determining Basin Characteristics 10-square mile basin takes about 24 hours Required time increases exponentially with watershed area Manual process is subject to significant error & not completely repeatable

11. The Massachusetts Streamstats Web Application - Provides published streamflow statistics & basin characteristics for data-collection stations Provides estimates of streamflow statistics & basin characteristics for user-selected locations

12. Site Selection for Low-Flow Analysis

13. Example Output for Ungaged Sites

14. Example Output for Ungaged Sites, cont’d

15. Benefits to Users Results are available in minutes A large collection of maps, equipment, and software aren’t necessary The process is reproducible Only a basic understanding of hydrology & geographic analysis is needed

16. Benefits to USGS Fewer costly information requests Consistent & rapid information delivery Fulfills goals of USGS Strategic Plan & National Streamflow Information Program

17. Example: Atrazine Concentration Regression Modeling

18. Agricultural Use of Atrazine by County

20. National Regression Model Annual Mean Atrazine > 1 ug/L 0.5 - 1 ug/L 0.01 - 0.5 ug/L < 0.01 ug/L

21. Predicted Annual Mean Atrazine in Source Waters for 567 Intakes (Median prediction for each site) > 1 ug/L 0.5 - 1 ug/L 0.01 - 0.5 ug/L < 0.01 ug/L

22. Example: SPARROW Spatially Referenced Regressions on Watershed Attributes

24. Nitrogen Fertilizer Use in the Mississippi Basin

25. Annual Nitrate Flux to Gulf of Mexico

27. Nitrogen-loss Rate in Relation to Stream Channel Depth

29. Percentage of the Nitrogen export form Interior Watersheds Delivered to the Gulf

30. Yield of Total Nitrogen Delivered to the Gulf from Incremental Drainage areas of Monitoring Stations in the Mississippi River Basin

31. Example: Design of the National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP): Baseline Federal Network

32. Goals of the NSIP Baseline Federal Network National Water Quality Networks Compacts/Decrees/Boarder Crossings Key River Basin Outflows Sentinel Gages Flood Forecast Locations

38. But - It needs a substantial effort to reach its full potential, Many agencies (Federal & State) & the private sector are working together to complete the tasks. The Geospatial Framework For Surface Water Exists

39. Consensus definitions/standards (ACWI/FGDG) Develop tools Apply the tools to create the framework data sets Quality assurance Store & disseminate the framework data sets Code features to the framework Train users Maintain the framework data sets What does it take ?

40. NHD Problem: Drainage Density Artifacts

41. Hydrologic Unit Codes 2-digit=1 st level=22 regions 4-digit=2 nd level=222 subregions 6-digit=3 rd level=789 basins 8-digit=4 th level=2223 subbasins

42. 10-digit=5 th level ~ 22,000 watersheds Size = 40,000-250,000 acres 12-digit=6 th level ~200,000 subwatersheds Size = 10,000-40,000 acres Watershed Boundary Dataset Next step: Divide the Subbasins

43. If we didn’t have a detailed and standardized national system of Zip Codes it would be tough for the Postal Service to efficiently and reliably deliver the mail

44. Just as Zip code delivers the mail....

45. We need a detailed, standardized and hydrologically sound national system of stream and watershed addresses. Without it, it will be tough for the scientific and engineering communities to deliver the information.

48. Vision Surface Water Geospatial Framework NHD Future

49. Surface Water Geospatial Framework-Vision -what stream? -where on the stream? -drainage area? -what does it affect? -what is it affected by? Follow a drop of Water

50. Future-for every reach in NHD… Reach catchment area defined Flow statistics (e.g. velocity, time of travel) Location of gages, DW intakes and dams Input to SPARROW & other models for estimation of water quality parameters

51. Key Spatial Water Datasets National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Watershed boundary Dataset (WBD) National Elevation Dataset (NED) Land Cover Dataset (MRLC)

52. Understanding watershed characteristics for better watershed management Land use Drainage Elevation Boundaries

54. Application Massachusetts Streamstats Web Application

55. Watershed Boundary Dataset Why is it needed ? 8-digit Cataloging Units too large Need a standard nomenclature, ID’s, names, rules Needs to be hydrologically sound, crossing state lines

56. Future Directions Extension of web system to include additional watershed data & model output: Maps of reach water quality (load, yield, concentration) Maps of contaminant sources Contaminant delivery to downstream reaches Downloadable data files (GIS, spreadsheet)

57. Watershed Boundary Dataset Why is it needed ? 8-digit Subbasin Unit too large Need a standard nomenclature, ID’s, names, rules Needs to be hydrologically sound, crossing state lines

58. 10-digit=5 th level ~ 22,000 watersheds Size = 40,000-250,000 acres 12-digit=6 th level ~200,000 subwatersheds Size = 10,000-40,000 acres Watershed Boundary Dataset Next step: Divide the Subbasins

59. Needed: a stream addressing system Zip code = watershed Address = stream reach

60. 10-digit=5 th level ~ 22,000 watersheds Size = 40,000-250,000 acres 12-digit=6 th level ~200,000 subwatersheds Size = 10,000-40,000 acres Watershed Boundary Dataset Next step: Divide the Subbasins