Watershed Research

Since our inception, the Center has established itself as a reliable source of applied research in many areas of stormwater and watershed management.  Our research agenda is geared towards understanding the dynamics of watershed change on water resources and evaluating the performance and economics of watershed practices. 

Through surveys, literature reviews, data analysis and other means, we are also able to synthesize and interpret the research and experience of other scientists and practitioners from around the country.  Externally, our published findings have been widely read and well received.  Internally, our research program provides the technical and scientific foundation that supports all our other work.

Several multi-year research projects were completed at the Center in 2007, and our influence within the national watershed research community has grown.

We are always interested in expanding alliances and coordinating our research activities with individual researchers and academic organizations around the country. In addition, we are seeking additional unrestricted funding to directly support our research initiatives. 

For inquiries into our annual research plan, or to tell us about relevant work you are doing, contact our Director of Research, Karen Cappiella kc @ cwp.org.

Recent Projects Include:

• Integrating Wetlands into Local Watershed Planning - Through an multi-year grant from U.S. EPA, the Center developed a new approach for wetland management at the watershed scale, and produced six extensive articles on this watershed approach. Article topics include the impact of land development on wetlands, protecting wetlands through local watershed plans, and adapting watershed tools to protect local wetlands, developing model wetland protection ordinances, design of stormwater wetlands and techniques to protect vulnerable wetlands. This project concluded in early 2008 and also included a CD-based resource kit for local government officials, and additional training and dissemination of wetland tools nationally.All articles and associated information can be found in the wetlands resources section. Funding and Partners: U.S. EPA Office of Wetlands. National Association of Counties.   

• Urban Stormwater Retrofit Practices - Compiling over two decades of experience retrofitting stormwater practices in more than 25 urban watersheds across the country, the Center produced a comprehensive manual reflecting both the art and science of urban retrofitting. The manual outlines the basics of stormwater retrofits, describes the 13 unique locations where they can be installed, and presents rapid methods to site, design and deliver stormwater retrofits to meet a wide range of subwatershed objectives.

• Stormwater Indicator Monitoring - Partnering with the University of Alabama, the Center released guidance on monitoring protocols to assess effectiveness of local stormwater programs. Six study designs are included. Funding and Partners:  US EPA Office of Wastewater Management 104b(3) grant. University of Alabama (prime).  

• Urban Watershed Forestry Manual- Working in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Center wrote a pioneering three-part manual on how to increase forest cover in developing watersheds, how to conserve and plant trees at individual development sites, and how to successfully plant trees in the stressful urban environment. 

• Effectiveness of Street Sweeping in the Cheesapeake Bay–This ongoing monitoring study will determine the pollutant removal effectiveness of intensive street sweeping and storm drain cleanouts in two paired urban catchments in Baltimore, MD. Other research elements include sampling of street dirt accumulation and washoff, sediment dynamics in storm drains, a literature review and municipal sweeping activity survey.   Funding and Partners:  U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Baltimore Ecosystem Study.

• Methods to Prepare Restoration Plans for Small Watersheds - Center staff developed and tested more than 30 field, desktop, stakeholder and management methods for implementing watershed restoration plans to help develop guidance in this manual. The end result combined both Center research and watershed restoration experience to present a practical step-by-step template for actually preparing an effective watershed restoration plan.

• Smart Watersheds – The Smart Watershed Benchmarking Tool is used to evaluate municipal programs and help local program managers make better decisions on watershed restoration priorities. During 2005, the tool was refined and tested in four communities and was rolled out nationally in early 2006. This multi-year project was funded by the U.S. EPA Office of Water.

Center for Watershed Protection © 2008
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