Missouri Watershed Initiative (MWI)

Objective

CARES will develop the Long Branch Geographic Analysis System (LBGAS). The LBGAS will form the primary data/information management system for the Long Branch Watershed Assessment. LBGAS will synthesize data needed for assessing biophysical and socioeconomic conditions in Long Branch watershed and facilitate analysis of factors influencing water quality in Long Brach Reservoir. Data will be assembled and evaluated using geographic information systems, remote sensing and other information management technologies.

The LBGAS will be available on two platforms: PC based using ARC VIEW and Internet based using Internet Map Server. A limited number of data analyses will be performed in support of the assessment activities of the research teams.

Data Layers

Specific data elements in the LBGAS include: soils, hydrography, hypsography, land use/management, land ownership, precipitation, lake characteristics, mining operations, wetlands, water quality monitoring sites, private wells, water distribution network, roads, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the population.

Processes of Data Collection and Analysis

Data already in GIS format and newly developed data will be integrated in the LBGAS. All data layers in LBGAS will meet appropriate state and federal standards for accuracy and completeness. Attribute information and metadata will be attached to all data layers. CARES staff will work with other scientists to display and manipulate the GIS layers and associated attributes to make them suitable as input to various biophysical and socioeconomic models, for data visualization, or as a base for further data development.

Interpretation of Quality of Data

Each data element in the LBGAS will have a certain level of accuracy, e.g., a 1:24,000 scale provides 12m horizontal accuracy and a 1:100,000 scale provides 50m horizontal accuracy. The quality of the data entered into the system will be high because the data capture techniques used by CARES minimize human errors that typically occur in data entry and manipulation.

Presentation of Data

By the end of the project, all the data layers listed above will reside in a GIS that can be accessed using either a PC or the Internet. In addition, a limited number of maps and special analyses requested by the research teams will be completed by the end of the project (March 31,1999).

Extension/Outreach Component

CARES will conduct a workshop for the Long Branch Watershed Steering Committee, Local Technical Group, UM researchers and other interested groups. The workshop will consist of hands-on training in use of the LBGAS for planning, assessment and research. In addition, CARES will produce documentation (users manual) on the LBGAS.

Principal Investigators: Tony Prato and Chris Fulcher

Project Manager: Dave Connett

Project Staff: Chris Barnett

Funding Amount: $54,000

Partnering Agencies/Organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership.

Period of Data Collection and Analysis: April 1, 1998 - March 31, 1999