Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service U.S. Forest Service: C&I’s for: The World’s Largest Water Company U.S. Forest Service: C&I’s for: The World’s Largest.

Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service

Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service

U.S. Forest Service:

C&I’s for: The

World’s Largest Water

Company

U.S. Forest Service:

C&I’s for: The

World’s Largest Water

Company

Due to topography, location, vegetation and geology of the National Forest System, its lands have a critical influence on the quantity and quality of the nation’s waters.

Due to topography, location, vegetation and geology of the National Forest System, its lands have a critical influence on the quantity and quality of the nation’s waters.

USDA Forest Service & Water

The roots of the Forest Service are in watershed managementThe roots of the Forest Service are in watershed management

Gifford Pinchot believed that we ought to value forests for their “effects on the climate and floods, rainfall and runoff, springs and erosion.”

Gifford Pinchot believed that we ought to value forests for their “effects on the climate and floods, rainfall and runoff, springs and erosion.”


The National Forests & WaterThe National Forests & Water

The most valuable and perhaps of late, least appreciated resource on the National Forests is water.

The most valuable and perhaps of late, least appreciated resource on the National Forests is water.


53% US water supply originates on forested land – 29% of the surface area

NFS lands are the largest single source of water in the continental U.S.

9% land base – 18% total US runoff

In the Western US 51% of the water supply originates on NFS lands

53% US water supply originates on forested land – 29% of the surface area

NFS lands are the largest single source of water in the continental U.S.

9% land base – 18% total US runoff

In the Western US 51% of the water supply originates on NFS lands


Over 3,400 communities rely on NFS lands in 33 states for their drinking water serving over 66 million people.

Over 3,400 communities rely on NFS lands in 33 states for their drinking water serving over 66 million people.


Recreation & Aquatic SpeciesRecreation & Aquatic Species

Over 200,000 miles,>2 million surface acres, providing>46 million recreational angler days,>150 million pounds of commercial harvest.

- >8.5 billion in annual economic benefit, >94,000 existing jobs.

Highest concentration and diversity of T&E aquatic species that depend on high-quality water.

Over 200,000 miles,>2 million surface acres, providing>46 million recreational angler days,>150 million pounds of commercial harvest.

- >8.5 billion in annual economic benefit, >94,000 existing jobs.

Highest concentration and diversity of T&E aquatic species that depend on high-quality water.


Forest Service-Influenced Critical Watersheds for Freshwater Fish & Mussel

Species

Forest Service-Influenced Critical Watersheds for Freshwater Fish & Mussel

Species


The total value of water from NFS Lands, in terms of instream and offstream uses is estimated to exceed $7.2 billion a year.

The total value of water from NFS Lands, in terms of instream and offstream uses is estimated to exceed $7.2 billion a year.


Denver’s water supply reservoir after Buffalo Creek fire






Protecting & Restoring National Assets

Protecting & Restoring National Assets

New York City’s WatershedNew York City’s Watershed

Water supply system is 150 miles away from the city in Catskill/ Delaware area, provides 1.3 billion gallons daily to 9 million people.

Catskill/Delaware area is primarily agricultural and forested land most of them privately owned

Water supply system is 150 miles away from the city in Catskill/ Delaware area, provides 1.3 billion gallons daily to 9 million people.

Catskill/Delaware area is primarily agricultural and forested land most of them privately owned



Use of SWRR Criteriaat the National LevelUse of SWRR Criteriaat the National Level

Water Availability Water QualityHuman Uses and Health Environmental Health Infrastructure and Institutions

Water Availability Water QualityHuman Uses and Health Environmental Health Infrastructure and Institutions


Water Availability IndicesWater Availability Indices

•USGS Stream Gauging Stations•Snow Pack Monitoring•Diversions (number and removals)•Bypass Flow Requirements•Reservoir Storage

•USGS Stream Gauging Stations•Snow Pack Monitoring•Diversions (number and removals)•Bypass Flow Requirements•Reservoir Storage


Water Quality IndicesWater Quality Indices

•303(d) Listed Streams•Watershed Condition Class (5th HUC)•Proportion of Watersheds meeting BMP’s•404 Permits Issued•TMDL Development•PFC Riparian Habitats

•303(d) Listed Streams•Watershed Condition Class (5th HUC)•Proportion of Watersheds meeting BMP’s•404 Permits Issued•TMDL Development•PFC Riparian Habitats


Human Uses and Health IndicesHuman Uses and Health Indices

•Diversions (Ag, Energy Dev, Mining, etc)•Groundwater withdrawals•Rec. Res. (Septic & Withdraw-SUA’s)•Commercial fish production•Recreational Uses Monitoring•Emergency Closures (Water Borne)

•Diversions (Ag, Energy Dev, Mining, etc)•Groundwater withdrawals•Rec. Res. (Septic & Withdraw-SUA’s)•Commercial fish production•Recreational Uses Monitoring•Emergency Closures (Water Borne)


Environmental Health IndicesEnvironmental Health Indices

•Watershed Condition Class•Watershed Fuel Hazard Ratings •Macroinvertebrate Indices•Atmospheric Deposition/Water Quality•Species Viability Assessments•Watershed Assessments•Regional Assessments

•Watershed Condition Class•Watershed Fuel Hazard Ratings •Macroinvertebrate Indices•Atmospheric Deposition/Water Quality•Species Viability Assessments•Watershed Assessments•Regional Assessments


Infrastructure and Institutional Indices

Infrastructure and Institutional Indices

•Dams and Reservoirs (# and acres)•Municipal Watersheds (# and acres)•Treatment Facilities (# and capacity)•Trans-basin diversions (length)•Over appropriated watersheds•Federal Reserve Water Rights

•Dams and Reservoirs (# and acres)•Municipal Watersheds (# and acres)•Treatment Facilities (# and capacity)•Trans-basin diversions (length)•Over appropriated watersheds•Federal Reserve Water Rights


Integration and Institutionalization of Sustainable Water Resource

Criteria and Indicators

Integration and Institutionalization of Sustainable Water Resource

Criteria and Indicators

•National Level – Strategic Plan, PART performance / accountability

•Regional Level – Broad-scale Assessments

•Forest Level – Forest Plan

•National Level – Strategic Plan, PART performance / accountability

•Regional Level – Broad-scale Assessments

•Forest Level – Forest Plan


We can leave no

greater gift for

our children

than to leave

the watersheds

entrusted to our

care healthier,

more diverse,

and more

productive.

We can leave no

greater gift for

our children

than to leave

the watersheds

entrusted to our

care healthier,

more diverse,

and more

productive.


Rick Swanson USDA Forest Service U.S. Forest Service: C&I’s for: The World’s Largest Water Company U.S. Forest Service: C&I’s for: The World’s Largest.

Documents