Watershed Monitoring and Management in the Northern Plains and Mountains Region

Managing watersheds to maintain working landscapes while protecting water quality and other watershed functions is critical if agriculture and natural resources are to be sustained in the West. Continued application of best management practices (BMPs), whose benefits have not been quantified, impairs our ability to effectively manage these lands and resources. Based on outcomes of numerous needs assessments, the Northern Plains and Mountains Regional Water Team responded to stakeholder needs by: 1) investigating water quality monitoring training needs in the region; 2) assessing BMP monitoring programs; 3) directly assessing the effectiveness of specific BMPs at mitigating water quality issues; 4) developing educational resources, approaches and materials to improve water quality monitoring programs; and 5) leading trainings and symposia for local, state, regional, tribal and national audiences. These actions have been implemented in collaboration with stakeholders at local, state and national levels. The outcomes of these actions include: in-depth water quality monitoring training modules and certification programs; a BMP Monitoring Guidance Document for Stream Systems and an interactive website; and quantitative assessment of implemented BMPs including, stream restoration, tile drains and grazing management systems. The Guidance Document and website present guidelines and information for designing and implementing effective monitoring approaches before any project implementation begins. This leads to appropriate choices of monitoring or modeling techniques, and frequency and scale. Impacts of the team efforts are evident at the local, state and regional level. Water quality monitoring training programs for volunteers and professionals have expanded and strengthened in the region. New monitoring strategies and training materials that detect and quantify real change in water quality are being implemented and credible water quality data are being collected. These data are being used to: assess the effectiveness of implemented BMPs; develop TMDLs that are relevant for the region; and assess the overall health of our watersheds.