Water Quality Program - Watershed Management

One issue facing California is the implementation of TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Load) for watersheds affected by irrigated agriculture. Nutrients, pesticides, sediments, and/or salts from agricultural fields can all contribute to the degradation of local water quality. Cooperative Extension specialists working with growers to identify and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) can play a vital role in the enhancement of our water resources while maintaining viable growing practices.

A complete list of California's identified waterbodies of impaired quality in need of TMDL development and implementation can be found on the State Water Resources Control Board website: SWRCB/303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments

Rangeland Watershed Program Web Fact Sheets are available from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and USDA-NRCS.

Commercial nursery and greenhouse operations can find helpful documents for assessing runoff potential, recordkeeping, and management options among other topics, at the Ag Water Quality Program for UCCE in San Diego County, under " Grower Resources."

The California Watershed Assessment Manual (CWAM) - now being developed by the State of California - will help watershed groups, local agencies, private landowners, and watershed specialists evaluate the condition of their watershed. The CWAM provides a "toolbox" of science-based approaches to watershed assessment. The tools and resources listed come from a variety of agencies and organizations and allow the user to choose the approach that is appropriate for their needs.

Some current projects related to watershed management within California can be found at the website for the Natural Resource Projects Inventory.