Productivity and Efficiency
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water efficiency is the smart use of our water resources through water-saving technologies and simple steps. Using water efficiently will help ensure reliable water supplies today and for future generations. Topics addressed in this theme provide insights, lessons, and guidance on how diverse stakeholders are working to improve water management and reduce water use.
Productivity and Efficiency Resources
Irrigation and Water Use - Briefing Room
Published:
November 22, 2004U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agriculture is a major user of ground and surface water in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use and over 90 percent in many Western States. This ERS research program investigates water allocation, water conservation, and water management issues...Read more
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators
Published:
July 1, 2006U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2006 describes trends in resources used in and affected by agricultural production (including natural, produced, and management resources), as well as the economic conditions and policies that influence agricultural resource use and its...Read more
Water Quality Impacts of Agriculture
Published:
July 21, 2006U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural production releases residuals, like sediment and pesticides, that may degrade the quality of water resources and impose costs on water users. Agriculture is the leading source of impairments in the Nation's rivers and lakes and a major source of impairments to estuaries. However,...Read more
Regional focus:
United StatesIrrigation and Water use: Glossary
Published:
October 26, 2004U.S. Department of Agriculture
An overview of agricultural methods, systems, and practices to increase land and water productivity. Several definitions are offered for terms associated with water use and agriculture. Read more
A Procedure to Estimate the Response of Aquatic Systems to Changes in Phosphorous and Nitrogen Inputs
Published:
October 1, 1999U.S. Department of Agriculture
This document provides a simple assessment procedure
to estimate the responsiveness of a waterbody to
changes in the supply (loading) of phosphorus (P) and
nitrogen (N). Lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries may
be assessed with this procedure. Few data about the
waterbody are required. The...Read more
Stream Visual Assessment Protocol: Procedure to Evaluate the Condition of a Stream Based on Visual Characteristics
Published:
December 1, 1998U.S. Department of Agriculture
This assessment protocol provides a basic level of stream health evaluation. It can be successfully applied by conservationists with little biological or hydrological training. It is intended to be conducted with the landowner and incorporates talking points for the conservationist to use during...Read more
National Water Quality Handbook: Definitive USDA Resource for Water Quality Technical Information, Guidance and Procedures
Published:
September 1, 2003U.S. Department of Agriculture
Water quality is an important natural resource concern for the Nation. Being a lead natural resource technical agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed this handbook as a principal reference pertaining to water quality as it relates to all agricultural land uses. The...Read more
Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems- Level II Inventory Field Guide
Published:
March 1, 2012U.S. Department of Agriculture
This Level II field guide describes a national protocol to supply data used in project identification and planning. Data collected through this field guide serve as the basis for the assessment of project and activity effects on, and the identification of project-level design and mitigation...Read more
Watershed Condition Classification Technical Guide
Published:
July 1, 2011U.S. Department of Agriculture
The watershed condition goal of the Forest Service is to protect National Forest System watersheds by implementing practices designed to maintain or improve watershed condition, which is the foundation for sustaining ecosystems and the production of renewable natural resources, values, and benefits...Read more
Water, Climate Change and Forests: A Report on Effects of and Responses to Climate Change's Impacts on Watersheds
Published:
June 1, 2010U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report describes some adaptation opportunities associated with forest management, specifically in the context of water and aquatic ecosystems. The first two sections describe the importance of forests to the Nation's water resources and summarize observed and projected effects of climate...Read more
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