Abstract

Using ModelBuilder to Develop a Watershed Management Approach in California
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Papantzin Cid

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) suggests a watershed-based approach in permits relating to water quality. As a sub-agency of the USEPA, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) wants to apply a watershed based approach to the Phase II MS4 Permit. Variables included in the analysis are hydrology, slope, geology, land use, and environmentally sensitive areas. Using ArcHydro and Python, the variables were combined to create landscape units. Using ArcGIS 10.0 ModelBuilder, a semi-automated system has been created that allows SWRCB staff to update variables and parameters as new data and permit cycles are adopted. This model, with some modification to model variables, can be applied to other National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permits.