Education & Training

RGIS - Educational Modules, Chesapeake Wilkes University

GIS Watershed Concepts for
Local Communities and Environmental Groups

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About This Module

This is an educational and informational module emphasizing concepts, terminology, visualizations, and problems in land use and watershed science.  The intent of this module is to provide background on basic environmental concepts for watersheds, land use, water quality, and stream and river ecology, all from the perspective of using GIS and related geospatial tools for assessing and managing problems and impacts due to human activities that are often regulated by state and/or federal laws and requirements.  A unifying theme throughout the module is that streams and rivers are connected to their watersheds through hydrologic and ecological linkages.  The module covers a range of potential situations that may reflect a continuum of natural vs. man-made influences and impacts with land use being a major impact on watersheds and their associated streams and rivers.  After a brief overview of some aquatic terminology for stream and river habitats and food webs, the module presents a review of the hydrologic cycle relative to land use impacts with a particular focus on flooding and stream channel impacts and sedimentation.  These are illustrated with GIS graphics in conjunction with photographic documentation of examples of watershed land use impacts to associated streams.

The last third of this educational module focuses on geospatial tools for watershed management.  Related applications that are profiled include:

  • Using remote sensing to locate remote field study sites (e.g., in southern Patagonia for global monitoring).
  • Visualizing water quality data and riparian composition (PA state park).
  • Paired watershed comparisons (impacted vs. reference streams).
  • Statistical analysis of water quality and watershed conditions (via GIS for an American Heritage River, AHR).
  • GIS classifications to highlight the use of watershed indicators for impact assessment (AHR).
  • Use of GIS and geospatial data to design a community water quality monitoring program.
  • Utility of a community web-based GIS to showcase regional water quality problems such as combined sewer overflows, abandoned mining lands, and acid mine outfalls, all of which are illustrated from the Chesapeake Wilkes site and related study areas (including the AHR).

Module Audience

This module is for involved citizens, environmental groups, local government officials and township managers, and the general public involved with community watershed groups.  It does not assume any advanced science or GIS training.  

Module Materials & Tools

This module could potentially be reformatted as a guidebook or primer on watershed issues and concepts.  Data and exercises in the use of GIS are planned for follow up modules (hands-on) that build on this basic foundation.

  • PowerPoint presentation with detailed annotation of each slide, graphic, or digital photograph
  • Numerous references and related websites are provided as resource material
  • The PowerPoint presentation is self-contained with explanatory text for each slide; an Instructor Guide is not needed

Module Software & Hardware Needs

  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • PC laptop
  • Projector

For More Information Contact:

Dale Bruns, Wilkes University
150-180 S River Street
PO Box 111
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766
Email: dbruns@wilkes.edu