Integrated Water Resource Management
As defined by the Global Water Partnership, integrated water resource management is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Resources available within this theme provide guidance on how to conserve and restore watersheds, reduce pollution, adapt to climate change and reduce risks from floods and droughts.
Integrated Water Resource Management Resources
The Role of Conservation Programs in Drought Risk Adaptation
Published:
April 1, 2013U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report evaluates the extent to which farms facing higher levels of drought risk are more likely to participate in conservation programs, and finds a strong link between drought risk and program participation. Conservation program outcomes are influenced by regional differences in production...Read more
Water Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands
Published:
September 1, 2012U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. agriculture accounts for 80-90 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use (water lost to the environment by evaporation, crop transpiration, or incorporation into products). Despite technological innovations, at least half of U.S. irrigated cropland acreage is still irrigated with less...Read more
Regional focus:
United StatesConservation Practices that Save: Irrigation Water Management
Published:
May 1, 2006U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural water supply is emerging as a critical natural resource issue. Irrigated agriculture is essential in meeting our food and fiber production needs. Irrigation water management encourages the application of water in an amount that meets the need of the growing plant in a manner that...Read more
Economics of Water Quality Protection From Nonpoint Sources: Theory and Practice
Published:
November 1, 1999U.S. Department of Agriculture
Pollution from nonpoint sources is the single largest remaining source of water quality impairments in the United States.
Agriculture is a major source of several nonpoint-source pollutants, including nutrients, sediment, pesticides, and salts. Agricultural nonpoint pollution reduction policies can...Read more
Estimating Water Quality Benefits: Theoretical and Methodological Issues
Published:
September 1, 1992U.S. Department of Agriculture
Knowledge of the benefits and costs to water users is required for a complete assessment of policies to create incentives for water quality improving changes in agricultural production. A number of benefit estimation methods are required to handle the varying nature of water quality effects. This...Read more
Water Quality Benefits from the Conservation Reserve Program
Published:
February 1, 1989U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Conservation Reserve Program may generate an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion in water quality benefits. Potential benefits include lower water treatment costs, lower sediment removal costs, less flood damage, less damage to equipment which uses water, and increased recreational fishing. Benefits...Read more
Water Use and Pricing in Agriculture
Published:
July 1, 2006U.S. Department of Agriculture
Irrigated agriculture remains the dominant use of freshwater in the United States, although the share of water consumed by irrigation is declining. National irrigated cropland area has expanded by one-third since 1969, while irrigation water application rates have declined by about 15 percent...Read more
Managing Manure To Improve Air and Water Quality
Published:
September 1, 2005U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal waste from confined animal feeding operations is a potential source of air and water quality degradation from evaporation of gases, runoff to surface water, and leaching to ground water. This report assesses the potential economic and environmental tradeoffs between water quality policies...Read more
Irrigation Water Management
Published:
July 1, 2006U.S. Department of Agriculture
Water management is an important element of irrigated crop production. Efficient irrigation systems and water management practices can help maintain farm profitability in an era of limited, higher cost water supplies. Efficient water management may also reduce the impact of irrigated production on...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
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