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: Glossary

Published: 
October 26, 2004
U.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

Video: Improving People's Livelihoods with SolutionMUS - Small Livestock

Published: 
May 1, 2015
Winrock International
Most livelihood activities require water. Productive water services alone increase income and food security but the benefits of this productive water can be solidified and amplified through targeted livelihoods support programs. This video tells the story of Nyakonge, a pastoralist village in...Read more
Regional focus: 
Sub-Saharan Africa

Video: Improving People's Livelihoods with SolutionMUS - Livestock and Gardening

Published: 
May 1, 2015
Winrock International
Most livelihood activities require water. Productive water services alone increase income and food security but the benefits of this productive water can be solidified and amplified through targeted livelihoods support programs. This video tells the story of Peter Mbuya, a poultry and goat farmer...Read more

Water Quality Index for Runoff Water from Agricultural Fields (WQIag)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Water Quality Index for Runoff from Agricultural Fields (WQI) is currently being developed by the USDA/NRCS-WNTSC National Water Quality/Quantity Team in Portland, Oregon. The purpose/benefits of this tool include: comparative assessment over time & space, no substitute for monitoring/...Read more

Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was developed for use in whole farm/small watershed management. The model was constructed to evaluate various land management strategies considering sustainability, erosion (wind, sheet, and channel), economics, water supply and quality,...Read more

Soil and Water Assessment Tool

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a public domain model jointly developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, part of The Texas A&M University System. SWAT is a small watershed to river basin-scale model to simulate the quality and...Read more
Regional focus: 
Global

Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model

U.S. Department of Agriculture
AGNPS is a tool for use in evaluating the effect of management decisions impacting water, sediment and chemical loadings within a watershed system. The term "AGNPS" now refers to the system of modeling components instead of the single event AGNPS, which was discontinued in the mid-1990...Read more

A Procedure to Estimate the Response of Aquatic Systems to Changes in Phosphorous and Nitrogen Inputs

Published: 
October 1, 1999
U.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, 1998
U.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, 2003
U.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

Don't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.