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
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
Improving Air and Water Quality Can Be Two Sides of the Same Coin
Published:
September 1, 2005U.S. Department of Agriculture
Air quality policies have traditionally focused on urban areas and industrial emissions. Extending these laws to cover agriculture would require an understanding of how farmers respond to different policy incentives. Farmers have many choices in deciding on what to produce and the production...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
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
Irrigation 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
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
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