Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR 

Water and Watershed Grants 

Submitted to 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Environmental Science Center 

701 Mapes Road 

Ft. Meade, MD 20755-05350 

Submitted by

Perot Systems Government Services

(Formerly Technology Planning and Management Corporation) 

Pembroke, MA 02359 

October 24, 2005 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

FOREWORD 

Perot Systems Government Services (formerly Technology Planning and Management Corporation) 

prepared this report for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental 

Research, Science to Achieve Results Program. It was prepared under the U.S Environmental Protection 

Agency National Geospatial Program and Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (MAIA) Pilot Project on a 

contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commerce Information Technology Solutions 

(COMMITS) Office Contract No. 50CMAA900065. The mention of trade names, commercial products, 

or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

The preferred citation for this report is: 

Walbeck, E.S., Ghiloni, J.A., and Campbell, J.F., 2005. Compendium of the 1999 STAR Water and 

Watershed Grants. Prepared by Perot Systems Government Services (formerly Technology 

Planning and Management Corporation), Pembroke, MA, for the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research, 

Science to Achieve Results Program. 

Foreword ii 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 1-1 

1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 1-1 

1.2 Summary.................................................................................................................................................... 1-1 

SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS ............................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 STAR Grant R828007: The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in 

Suburban Watersheds.................................................................................................................................... 2-1 

2.2 STAR Grant R828008: Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options 

with Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor 

Land-use Practices.......................................................................................................................................... 2-3 

2.3 STAR Grant R828009: PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed 

Sustainability in Coastal Louisiana............................................................................................................... 2-7 

2.4 STAR Grant R828010: Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for and Agricultural Watershed: 

Design Criteria, Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water System.............. 2-10 

2.5 STAR Grant R828011: Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution 

in a Coastal Watershed................................................................................................................................... 2-14 

2.6 STAR Grant R828012: The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, 

Hydrology and Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems....................................................................................................................................................... 2-16 

2.7 STAR Grant R828021: Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at 

National Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches ........................................................... 2-19 

2.8 STAR Grant R828070: An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decisionmaking in the Middle Rio Grande Basin ...................................................................................................... 2-21 

3. REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................ 3-1 

APPENDIX A. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE............................. 4-2 

APPENDIX B. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES CHART............ 4-10 

APPENDIX C. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES .......................... 4-11 

Table of Contents iii 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

1. Introduction 

1.1 Background 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STAR (Science to Achieve Results) Grant program funds 

research in a wide variety of environmental science disciplines. The STAR Water and Watersheds 

program is unique in that it advocates interdisciplinary research. However, in order for the information 

gathered from this research to be useful to decision-makers, stakeholders, and the science community, it is 

beneficial to summarize the results into comprehensive and easily accessible documents. In concordance 

with their commitment to communication, the National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) is 

supporting a set of documents that highlights research results and successes. The purposes of this project 

are to develop a compendium of the results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants and to 

produce a document that outlines the results, products produced, and user communities for each of the 

1999 Water and Watershed grants. 

Because this product will be used directly by EPA, and to avoid any bias associated with the research 

projects, an extramural contract was chosen as the appropriate vehicle to complete this task. 

1.2 Summary

Eight 1999 Water and Watershed EPA STAR Grants were reviewed in detail to determine how the results 

can be used by other researchers and decision-makers. Products that are useful to both groups include: 

• More than 15 models 

• New research techniques and tools, including a sets of biomarkers and a Coral Mud 

Resuspender 

• Procedures that improve the use of current models 

• Social science research and implementation methods, including numerous public surveys 

and an interactive computerized simulation program 

All eight grants were multi-criteria studies, and all included a social science or public policy component 

that involved determining public opinions and practices or working with decision-makers. Each grant also 

incorporated one or more of the following thematic areas: 

• Agriculture 

• Economics 

• Fishing 

• Scientific techniques 

• Social Science 

• Urban 

Two conclusions can be ascertained from these multi-criteria endeavors: 

• Regional and policy changes that protect water resources and watershed ecosystems can be 

implemented at local and regional scales when two-way communication exists between 

stakeholders and the science community. 

• Social science methods are useful in implementing behavioral or policy changes. 

To make the findings and products from these research projects more assessable to readers, the 

information is presented in several formats. The first section summarizes each grant and lists results, 

Introduction 1-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

products, users, and themes. Appendix A provides a table that lists each grant’s number, title, principal 

investigator, common themes, relevance, products, and successes and lessons learned. The table in 

Appendix B shows grants by common themes. Lastly, Appendix C briefly describes grant efforts as they

relate to a thematic area. 

Introduction 1-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2. SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS

2.1 STAR Grant R828007 

The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds

Principal Investigator: Kevin Ambrust, University of Georgia 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Pesticide concentrations in aquatic ecosystems are related to both watershed size and the quantity

of pesticides being used in stream drainage areas. 

• Types and concentrations of pesticides detected in streams were not related to the socioeconomic 

status of the neighborhood. However, the majority of the biological effects were seen at some of

the sites with higher property values. 

• Homeowners identified pride of ownership, respect for neighbors, and pride of place as the 

primary motivations for maintaining their residential landscapes 

• Professional applicators and maintenance companies are prevalent, but residents do a significant 

amount of the application of lawn-care products. Resource managers and decision-makers 

wishing to develop ecologically sensitive lawn-care practices must consider the impact of private 

homeowners, as well as professionals (Ambrust, Final Report, 2004). 

Products: 

• Numerous publications and presentations on the topics, methodologies, and results of the grant 

User Community: 

• Home and business owners

• Resource managers and decision-makers 

• Lawn-care companies 

• Watershed associations 

Themes: 

Economics, social science, multi-criteria studies, urban 

In many suburban watersheds, pesticides and nutrients used for lawn and turf care have been linked to the 

degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Combining both social science and biological studies, this project 

assessed homeowner socio-economic factors concerning residential lawn care and determined if these 

factors were related to aquatic ecosystem health in the associated watersheds. The investigators focused 

on multiple residential areas of differing property values in suburban Atlanta and Peachtree City, Georgia, 

as well as on a golf course. To determine the effects of homeowner factors, researchers surveyed selected 

homeowners concerning their values and beliefs on lawn care and observed residential and professional 

lawn-care practices. To determine ecological impacts, they monitored streams in the study areas for 

pesticides, nutrients, metals, and biological impacts, using monthly water and sediment samples from the 

streams and water samples from the fairway tile drains. 

The most commonly detected pesticides in the water and sediment from the Peachtree City residential 

sites were chloropyifos and dithiopyr. The loadings of these chemicals from neighborhoods was more 

strongly associated with the amount of impervious surface and the size of the drainage area within the 

neighborhood than with the socioeconomic status of the neighborhood (Overmyer, Final Report, 2004). 

These chemicals also were commonly found in samples from the golf course. Concentrations and 

frequencies of detection tended to be higher at sites downstream from the golf course (Armbrust, 2001 

Progress Report), and concentrations were highest immediately after application. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Nutrient levels tended to fluctuate with the seasons at all study locations. While few differences existed 

among the study locations, ammonium nitrate and soluble phosphorus concentrations were greater at the 

higher income residential areas. Researchers attributed this correlation to the fact that diamonimum 

phosphate is one of the most commonly used fertilizers for lawn care. 

As insecticides are often used in urban areas as a lawn care tool, researchers felt it was important to better 

understand how these chemicals affect species of aquatic invertebrates. They conducted toxicity tests with 

mixtures of three of the most common lawn-care insecticides used in urban watersheds, carbayl, 

chloropyrifos and malathion. The effects associated with these chemicals were determined by studying 

their impacts on the growth, development and survival of the black fly larvae, S. vittatum. All three 

chemicals were highly toxic to the black fly larvae. Researchers concluded that invertebrate populations 

in urban and suburban streams may experience a higher-than-expected increase in toxicity-related effects 

when all three chemicals are present in a waterway. 

Effects on macroinvertebrates (e.g., insects, crustaceans, worms) were evaluated in six Peachtree City

streams. Each stream was assessed using EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for Wadeable Streams and 

Rivers. Results were used to determine the impacts of lawn-care chemical runoff. Streams were ranked 

using a pesticide toxicity index to determine if impairment detected with the macroinvertebrate data was 

related to pesticide exposure. The investigators also used the North Carolina Biotic Index (NCBI) to help 

determine which metrics best predicted the effects of pesticides on macroinvertebrate communities. The 

combined results of these analyses indicated that lawn-care pesticides used in residential locations have a 

more profound effect on macroinvertebrates inhabiting the study streams than physical factors, habitat 

constraints, or metals in the study. However, similar studies at two streams sites adjacent to the golf 

course indicated that poor habitat (resulting from a beaver dam) deterred the presence of varied 

macroinvetebrates more than pesticide runoff. 

Investigators also determined if lawn-care practices adversely affect aquatic fungi and, consequently, leaf 

decay in streams. Researchers compared tulip-poplar leaf decomposition rates among streams. These 

correlations were related to variations in human lawn-care practices in the watershed. Results showed that 

the physical factors associated with higher water velocities controlled the leaf breakdown rates in the 

study streams, rather than chemical or biological factors. 

The investigators also monitored freshwater clams and mussels. Results showed that clams may be able to 

compensate for adverse cellular effects associated with exposure to lawn-care chemicals, but that the 

energy required to do so eventually would negatively affect the organism’s health. 

The social science portion of this study provided a better understanding of homeowners’ perceptions 

regarding residential land aesthetics. The investigators interviewed property owners of varying ages and 

property values from four neighborhoods. Overall, participants identified pride of ownership, respect for 

neighbors, and pride of place as the primary motivations for maintaining their residential landscapes. In 

addition, residents indicated that caring for their lawns and gardens was more a pleasant hobby than an 

unpleasant chore. A positive relationship existed between income and the amount of money spent on 

pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In Peachtree City, the study revealed that for each additional $100 

dollars of income, one more dollar was spent on lawns and gardens. The total average expenditure by 

residents on lawn care was estimated to be about $920 a year, indicating that residential lawn care in 

higher income neighborhoods potentially could impact the environmental health of the streams. 

This research provided a better understanding of the impacts of turf-care products on streams in urbanized 

watersheds. The data and information can be used by communities to help develop lawn-care practices 

that are sensitive to neighborhood beliefs and values, as well as to a watershed’s ecological integrity. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.2 STAR Grant R828008 

Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with Watershed-based 

Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor Land-use Practices 

Principal Investigators: Robert H. Richmond, University of Guam

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• At least six chemically mediated steps are critical to the successful replenishment of reefs 

affected by watershed discharges. 

• Watershed discharges had a substantial effect on the composition, structure, and function of coral 

communities.

• Using molecular biomarkers, sublethal stress was observed in corals affected by watershed 

discharges. 

• Molecular biomarkers are useful in identifying specific causes of coral reef decline. 

• Over fishing of herbivorous fishes contributes to sediment accumulation and chronic impacts of 

sediment from land-based sources. 

• Mitigation methods for these coral reef communities should include improved erosion control on 

land and a reduction in benthic fleshy and filamentous algal cover. 

• The three bays studied demonstrated differences in the magnitude of response, based on the 

characteristics of the adjacent watershed and the receiving water. 

• Successful management of fringing coral reefs adjacent to high islands may not be possible 

without proper land-use management in the surrounding watershed. 

• Mangroves buffer fringing coral reefs from excessive sedimentation. 

• It is not possible to manage coral reefs; the key is managing human activities that affect reefs.

• Community involvement in the study, including hiring a community member as a facilitator and 

the use of peer pressure, helped change land-use practices and policies. 

• A moratorium on cutting and filling mangroves was achieved after a researcher’s presentation to 

chiefs, fishermen, and community members in the Palauan language in the village meeting house. 

• Science must go beyond documentation of environmental degradation and be used as a tool for

managing human activities that impact ecosystems. The social sciences are key to the application 

of data to sound policy development and implementation. 

Products: 

• Development and verification of the HOME (hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, ecology) 

ecohydrology model that predicts the impact of natural and human disturbances from land runoff 

on coral reefs

• Development of a coral mud resuspender to quantify the amount of mud trapped on coral reefs 

(marine snow) and available for resuspension by waves 

• Development of a suite of biomarkers for identifying stress in corals

User Community: 

• Republic of Palau 

• Palau International Coral Reef Center 

• Palau Conservation Society

• Airai Village, Palau 

• U.S. Territory of Guam

• Pew Oceans Commission 

• U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

• U.S. Coral Reef Task Force 

• NOAA 

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Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Themes: Economics, fishing, multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, scientific techniques, social science 

 

Human-induced factors have placed an increasing amount of pressure on coral reef ecosystems. In the 

islands of Micronesia human activities in the watershed have caused significant coral reef degradation. 

To better understand the dynamics between human activities and coral reef ecosystem health, researchers 

under this grant sought to: 

• characterize watershed discharges effecting coastal reefs chemically, temporally, and spatially 

• determine the types and amounts of coastal pollutants that most significantly impact coral reef health 

• develop standards that can identify stresses in coral reef heath before mortality occurs 

• determine if coral reef recovery is possible and practical after reefs have incurred human-induced and 

natural stresses 

• quantify the cultural and economic impacts of land-based developments that affect coastal resources 

and incorporate this information into decision-making processes 

• educate stakeholders 

• develop a set of recommendations for maintaining the integrity of coral reef habitats and provide 

potential remediation techniques. 

The project resulted in findings in each of the program areas of biological, physical, and social sciences. 

Biological Sciences: 

The research on coral reproduction and recruitment demonstrated that at least six chemically-mediated 

steps are needed to successfully replenish reefs affected by watershed discharges: 

1) synchronization among conspecific corals (of the same species) during spawning 

2) egg-sperm interactions 

3) fertilization 

4) embryological development 

5) settlement and metamorphosis (recruitment), and 

6) acquisition of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). 

Water-soluble pollutants were a concern for stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Lipophilic substances 

(organophosphate pesticides) were a problem for recruitment, as the tested pollutants appeared to block 

both metamorphic inducers and larval receptors. Watershed discharges had a substantial effect on coral 

community composition, structure, and function. 

Stress at sublethal levels could be observed in corals affected by watershed discharges, using molecular 

biomarkers of exposure. Researchers assayed six classes of responses: geonomic integrity, protein 

metabolic condition, xenobiotic detoxification, metabolic integrity, oxidative damage and response, and 

membrane integrity (Richmond, Final Report, 2004). Molecular biomarkers in corals identified exposure 

and subsequent effects of an oil spill associated with a ship's grounding. Biomarkers of exposure appear 

to be able to serve the needs of resource managers for identifying specific causes of stress to corals at 

sublethal levels and for measuring the effectiveness of mitigation measures in reducing stress levels. 

Sediment particles from land sources were found to serve as nuclei for bacterial and microfaunal 

aggregations that resulted in the formation of “marine snow.” This material settles on the reef substrata, 

smothering coral recruits and contributing to the nocturnal biological oxygen demand along reef surfaces. 

Field data demonstrated that over fishing of herbivorous fishes contributes to sediment accumulation and 

chronic impacts of sediment from land-based sources. After periods of increased wave action, more than 

50% of suspended sediment particles came from material trapped in benthic algae. Therefore, mitigation 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-4 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

measures need to include both improved erosion control on land and reduction of benthic fleshy and 

filamentous algal cover. 

Physical Sciences: 

This research focused on three bays, two in Palau and one in Guam. Each bay had different magnitudes 

of response, based on the specific characteristics of the adjacent watershed and characteristics of the 

receiving watershed. 

The bay in Guam drains a small catchment area of steeply sloped, highly erodible, lateritic soils. Floods 

are short-lived and the sediment load is large. Data from this bay supports the premise that successful 

management of fringing coral reefs adjacent to high islands may not be possible without proper land-use 

management in the surrounding watersheds. 

The catchment area of one of the bays in Palau had been extensively cleared and farmed, and the 

sediment yield was 10 to 19 times higher than that of the other bay in Palau, which had a catchment area 

that was still pristine at the time of the study. The bay in the cleared area was protected from ocean 

swells; therefore, trapped mud smothered coral reefs, creating a shift from coral to fleshy algae 

dominance and changing habitats within the bay. Mangroves were an important buffer for both systems. 

They comprised 3.8% of each estuarine area and trapped about 30% of the riverine sediment in both 

systems, thus protecting fringing coral reefs from excessive sedimentation. 

A model was developed to explain coral and algal abundance on coral reefs as a function of natural 

disturbances. The model includes competition for space between corals and algae, coral recruitment and 

reef connectivity. For the two sites and two scales on which the model was tested, it successfully

reproduced the observed distribution of algae and coral. For both sites, it suggested that the reefs have 

been degraded by human activities on land and that they will recover, provided remedial measures are 

implemented on land to restore the water and substrate conditions. 

Social Science: 

The social science component of this research program provided insight into the application of scientific 

data and the implementation of policies designed to meet management and, hence, stakeholder needs. The 

watersheds selected for study were chosen for their physical characteristics, as well as the willingness and 

interest of the adjacent communities to participate and take ownership of the results. The two primary

study sites were Guam, which has a Western political system with an elected governor, legislature, and 

independent judiciary, and Palau, which has elected leaders, traditional Chiefs, and well-organized 

women’s groups within a matrilineal society. A key understanding reached early in the project was that 

“coral reef management” is a misnomer. It is not possible to manage coral reefs; rather, the focus must be 

on management of human activities as they affect coral reefs. 

In Guam, regular meetings were held in the local village with the mayor, the municipal planning council, 

and interested community members. A member of the community was hired as a facilitator and served as 

a conduit between the scientists and the village. Input on the project was solicited continually from the 

community, and feedback was provided on the progress. The mayor provided space for some of the 

research, and local school students participated in outreach activities. Community leaders took on a 

major problem of the burning of vegetation to enable better hunting of feral pigs and deer. In addition, the 

municipal planning council requested the Legislature to establish a Marine Protected Area to ban fishing 

herbivorous fish. NOAA provided additional funding to allow this effort to continue. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-5 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

In Palau, the Palau International Coral Reef Center conducted a door-to-door community outreach effort, 

and a well-respected congressional delegate facilitated numerous meetings with local chiefs and 

fishermen. Following a presentation by two Palauan researchers (in the Palauan language) to chiefs, 

fishermen, and interested community members, a moratorium on cutting and filling of mangroves was 

implemented around the study area. Two years later, the ban remained in place, and no additional 

damage had occurred to the mangrove ecosystem. Educational materials, funded by the EPA STAR 

grant, were developed through the Palau Conservation Society and reached all villages in Palau. 

Continuing efforts in the translation of science into policy continue with the support of a NOAA grant. 

Both Guam and Palau allowed the PIs to work with local communities and to cooperate with regulatory

agencies and legislative bodies. In Palau, data collected in the morning were presented to members of the 

community the same evening. While the biological and physical data were being presented, the 

participants were able to observe and evaluate the “social” reaction. Local fishers, already aware of the 

problem of poor land-use practices, became empowered with scientific data to begin actions to stop the 

environmental degradation. This was an exercise in developing political will through the application of 

scientific data, and a key legislator used the information to write a law on mangrove protection. 

Having adequate and accurate data does not solve problems, but rather provides information upon which 

to make sound decisions. It was found that all three components of this study (ecology, physical science, 

and social science) were of equal value. Without the social science, implementation would not have 

occurred. The researchers’ perspective includes the philosophy that science must go beyond

documentation of environmental degradation and destruction and be used as a tool for managing human 

activities as they impact ecosystems. The social sciences are proving to be the key to the application of 

data to sound policy development and implementation. While the data from each discipline was in 

different forms and units, the researchers found the synthesis provided much more than the sum of the 

individual parts. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-6 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.3 STAR Grant R828009 

PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability in Coastal 

Louisiana 

Principal Investigators: John Day, Louisiana State University – Baton Rough 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• River diversions in the watershed have resulted in increased nutrient uptake (reduction in nutrient 

concentration), marsh accretion, lower salinity levels, and the incorporation of riverine materials 

into local food webs. 

• The diversion of freshwater in the watershed has a beneficial effect on the marsh communities.

The increased freshwater discharge rendered less loss of land and preserved habitat diversity. 

• An increased nutrient level caused by the presence of a diversion has the potential to cause 

eutrophication. 

• Long-duration pulse events (the high-intensity release of river water) of one month or more can 

lead to depressed yields of both shrimp and oysters fisheries within the study location. 

• The socio-economic model developed under this grant can be used to illustrate to decisionmakers and ecosystem managers that efforts used to improve natural systems will lead to 

improved local economic wellbeing. 

• River diversion is more cost-effective than dredging in restoring and protecting coastal wetlands; 

however, temporally and spatially, dredging is more controllable. 

Products: 

• Eutrophication model that includes nitrogen, silicon, and phosphorus uptakes and multiple algal 

assemblages. The model runs as a stand-alone module or can be linked to a larger twodimensional hydrodynamic model. 

• Environmental dataset for the Caernarvon Watershed that includes precipitation, air, temperature, 

solar irradiance, water temperature, river state, diversion discharge, and nutrient loading from

1956 to 1998 (Day, Progress Report, 2001) 

• A spatially distributed dataset that includes topological and vegetation maps for the areas 

• An integrated physical-biological water quality model of the Caernarvon River watershed. 

• Framework for the implementation of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the 

Caernarvon diversion 

• Conceptual model of the interaction of natural and economic systems in the Caernarvon 

watershed. 

• Annual one-day workshops to show preliminary results of the Pulses Project to a diverse set of 

stakeholders at the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

• Numerous presentations to scientific and natural resource management communities. 

User Community: 

• State and Federal government agencies 

• Environmental groups 

• Local citizens

• Educational groups and universities 

Themes: Economics, fishing, multi-criteria studies, social sciences

River inputs to floodplains, marshes, and coastal wetlands are important to long-term ecological 

productivity and watershed resources. In much of the Mississippi River drainage basin and delta, levees 

and dams constructed during the past 100 years have isolated rivers from their natural connections to 

floodplains and deltaic wetlands. In 1991, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) installed a gated 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-7 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

river diversion system to deliver freshwater and its accompanying nutrients and sediments from the 

Mississippi River to the coastal bays and marshes in Breton Sound (USACE, 1998), located within the 

Caernarvon coastal watershed of Louisiana. The goal of the diversion project was to reduce deterioration 

of estuarine marshes and enhance fish and wildlife resources in the area. Researchers under this grant 

conducted a series of physical and ecological studies to assess habitat response to riverine inputs. They 

evaluated marsh plant growth responses to river inputs, water quality changes, the function of wetland 

soils and benthic sediments in response to flooding events, effects on fish, shrimp, and oysters, and 

changes in phytoplankton production and possible eutrophication. Social science studies were conducted 

with the goal of developing methods and models that would clarify the linkages between human and 

natural systems to decision-makers (2001 Progress Report). 

One of the main purposes of the USACE river diversion was to help promote vertical accretion of the 

freshwater marshes in Breton Sound, an area that was once losing about 1,000 acres annually to erosion 

(USACE, 1998). In order to study marsh accretion, investigators under this grant conducted a series of 

sediment deposition studies during pulses, or high-intensity river discharges events. Results indicated that 

the volume of sediments delivered by the freshwater diversion sustain current elevations in the Breton 

Sound estuary, but that the fine-grained sediment composition and transport mechanism to the marsh 

surface is not adequate (Day, Final Report, 2004). Researchers also concluded that diverting freshwater 

into Breton Sound estuary primarily benefits interior marsh sites located within 6 km of the diversion 

outfall, particularly during pulsing events. 

Researchers also investigated nutrient distributions resulting from the diversion at 20 water sampling sites 

throughout the watershed. They assessed nutrient processing abilities of the wetland soils and benthic 

sediments (Day, Final Report, 2004). Analysis led researchers to conclude the following. 

• Nitrate and nitrite concentrations appear to be controlled by the volume of Mississippi River water 

put into the estuarine system. 

• Concentrations of ammonium within the estuarine system do not reflect the discharge from the 

diversion structure. 

• Phosphate concentrations varied with the seasons; however, distinct bands of high phosphate 

concentrations were evident during periods of high discharge during the winter months. 

• Silicate levels appeared highest during high discharge events in the winter, suggesting that the 

Mississippi River is a large source of silicate. Variability within silicate concentrations occurred 

mainly in the middle and lower estuary. 

• Concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) were high in the upper basin and decreased with increasing 

distance from the diversion structure. TN concentrations increased from late winter to early spring in 

relation to increased input from the Mississippi River. 

• An increase in total phosphorus concentrations was observed throughout the estuary during periods of 

high discharge from the diversion. 

Other water quality tests showed that the diversion impacted salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll a

concentrations throughout the estuary, depending on the season and duration and intensity of the pulse 

event. 

Analyses of the nutrient processing abilities of watershed soils indicated that the estuarine sediments have 

the capacity to function as nutrient sinks. This characteristic is important, as the existence of functioning 

nutrient sinks can help prevent eutrophication and the occurrence of potentially harmful algal blooms. 

Studies also suggested that nutrients from the Mississippi River are incorporated into the watershed’s 

food web. 

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Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

As a result of this project, several models were produced. One consists of a calibrated 2-dimensional 

system that describes and predicts potential changes in the nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton 

biomass in Breton Sound under various diversion pulse scenarios. Using this model, it is possible to make

overall nutrient export estimates to the coastal ocean. This can help managers and decision-makers in 

their efforts to reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The second model is a watershed process model of 

the Caernarvon marshes in Breton Sound. This model can be used to predict regional habitat change. This 

Caernarvon Watershed Model was first calibrated using historical environmental conditions within the 

watershed. The model was then used to assess potential future habitat conditions under three scenarios: no 

discharge, scheduled discharge, and pulsed discharge. Results revealed that freshwater has a beneficial 

effect on the marsh community. Increased freshwater discharge translated into a reduction in land loss and 

preservation of original habitat diversity (Day, Final Report, 2004). 

As a final component to this project, researchers conducted a socio-economic and stakeholder analysis. 

The socio-economic analysis resulted in a conceptual model that linked natural and human systems. This 

model can be used to illustrate to decision-makers and ecosystem managers that efforts used to improve 

natural systems will lead to improved local economic wellbeing. The stakeholder analysis consisted of a 

series of questionnaires passed out at meetings, mailed, or delivered door-to-door throughout the study

area. On-the-spot interviews also were conducted. The analysis revealed that although there is a high level 

of agreement that coastal land loss is a significant problem, diversions are not always viewed as the most 

appropriate solution (Day, Final Report, 2004). 

This study provided insight into the benefits and the potential consequences of constructing a diversion 

system to introduce freshwater into a watershed system. Diversions can result in nutrient uptake, marsh 

accretion, lower salinities, and the incorporation of riverine materials into local food webs; however, they

also have the potential to cause eutrophication and can depress the yields of certain fish species. As a 

result, resource mangers and decision-makers must consider these costs and benefits when determining if 

a diversion project is right for their watershed. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-9 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.4 STAR Grant R828010 

Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for and Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, Social 

Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems 

Principal Investigators: Richard C. Lathrop, University of Wisconsin – Madison 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Steady spring flow can be supported by preferential flow through thin zones of shallow bedrock 

(Swanson, 2004). The potential for sandstone aquifers to contain continuous preferential flow

zones has important implications for managing groundwater resources and protecting water 

supplies from sources of contaminants. 

• In this geologic setting, pumping caused frequent cycling of water levels in the lower aquifer, 

while the upper aquifer had relatively steady water levels that primarily respond to precipitation. 

• Simulations of increased groundwater withdrawal indicated the need for maintaining or 

enhancing local recharge to limit negative impacts on groundwater-fed wetlands in the watershed. 

• Fen and sedge meadow vegetation are more sensitive to hydro periods and variations in water 

chemistry than marsh vegetation. Therefore, careful management of remaining fens and sedge 

meadows is critical to preserving the functions they perform. 

• Simple reductions in fertilizer use, flooding, or sedimentation alone will not suffice to protect 

wetlands from being overtaken by invasive reed canary grass. 

• Innovative practices, such as grass swales and rain gardens that infiltrate water, can reduce 

thermal pollution from urban watersheds when compared to traditional storm-water practices,

such as detention ponds. 

• Model results indicated that urban cluster developments produce the smallest volume of runoff

and that significant reductions in runoff can be achieved in 4 different types of development 

approaches if infiltration practices are used to treat many impervious surfaces (Brander, et al., 

2004). 

Products: 

• A model that simulates potential effects of urban expansion and increased groundwater pumping. 

The model simulates the effects of preferential bedrock flow zones and improves the calibration 

of spatial variations in groundwater discharge to streams and at springs. 

• A conceptual model of a wetland transect that illustrates the interaction between stratigraphy,

groundwater discharge, and vegetation gradients 

• A conceptual model that explains how nutrient-rich runoff from urban or rural landscapes 

accelerates takeover of invasive species at the landscape scale. 

• Multiple numeric models that can be used to design or evaluate the effects of small-scale 

infiltration practices 

• Numerous articles in scientific journals and numerous presentations at scientific meetings 

User Community: 

• State of Wisconsin 

• Local governments 

• Citizen groups 

Themes: Agriculture, multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, scientific techniques, social science, 

and urban 

The urbanization of agricultural landscapes throughout the United States is associated with the 

degradation of aquatic systems. Fundamental changes in watershed hydrology result from the 

construction of impervious surfaces, wells, and sewage systems. The researchers in this grant developed 

and evaluated alternative management and urban development practices that could assist local 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-10 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

governments and citizens groups in mitigating negative hydrologic environmental affects from the 

urbanization of agricultural regions (Lathrop, Abstract). Their objectives were to: 

• improve knowledge about alternative managements practices and patterns of urbanization 

• extend or develop analytical and modeling tools to minimize hydrologic affects of urbanization 

• compare the costs, social acceptability, and affects of different land- and water-use scenarios 

• examine urban impacts on wetlands, especially their biodiversity

• evaluate farming behaviors needed to reduce high phosphate concentrations in the soil 

• evaluate barriers to low-impact development and provide guidance for improving the management 

and protection of critical aquatic resources in rapidly urbanizing landscapes (Lathrop, 2001 

Progress Report). 

The research was conducted in the Pheasant Branch sub watershed of the Lake Mendota watershed near 

Madison, Wisconsin. Land use there is largely agricultural, with urban expansion imminent. The 

watershed influences several aquatic systems, including a large spring complex, wetlands, and the most 

significant lake in the county. The investigation involved the development of models and research 

concerning hydrogeology, wetland biodiversity, thermal impacts, agricultural manure management, and 

social impediments to low-impact development. 

Hydrogeology 

A major goal of this component was developing a numerical model of groundwater flow to be used to 

evaluate the effects of municipal pumping and enhanced infiltration practices. The investigators 

developed a model and studies that illustrated the effectiveness of the regional shale aquitard in isolating 

the lower bedrock aquifer, confirming the hypothesis that steady spring flow rates are maintained by

water discharging from the shallow bedrock (Lathrop, Final Report). 

Researchers developed another model that simulated potential effects of urban expansion and increased 

groundwater pumping. Simulations of increased groundwater withdrawal, based upon projections for the 

year 2020, resulted in relatively modest decreases in base flow in Pheasant Branch. However, decreases 

of about 7% in groundwater discharge to wetlands were found when simulations included either deep or 

shallow wells near the Pheasant Branch marsh wetland system. The impacts were greater still when 

simulations incorporated the decreases in recharge that would accompany increased impervious area from

urban development. These results indicated the need to maintain or enhance local recharge to limit 

negative repercussions on groundwater-fed aquatic ecosystems. 

Wetland biodiversity

To assess the impact of urban disturbances on wetland biodiversity and to design effective restoration 

strategies requires knowledge of hydrogeologic and geochemical conditions. The researchers conducted a 

detailed study of a relatively undisturbed wetland in which sharp transition of plant communities occurred 

— from fen to sedge meadow and shallow marsh. The resulting conceptual model showed that cattails, 

the dominant marsh species, were tolerant to a range of chemical conditions, but that fen and sedge 

meadow vegetation were more sensitive to hydroperiods (periodic flooding or saturated soil conditions) 

and variations in water chemistry. The results have noteworthy implications for wetland trading and 

creation. Because subsurface stratigraphy can control hydroperiods and water chemistry, the absence of 

subsurface conditions that allow steady groundwater discharge may preclude the establishment of 

sensitive vegetation communities. 

In the Midwestern United States, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) has invaded wetlands that 

receive chronic runoff from agriculture activities and urban development. Once invaded by Phalaris, wet 

meadows retain few species. In sedge meadows with apparent hydrological disturbance from culverts and 

drainage ditches, the researchers found up to 15 fewer species than in nearby undisturbed areas. The lost 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-11 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

species tended to be rarer, more specialized species (Kercher, 2003). Microcosm studies linked loss of 

native plants to prolonged flooding and sedimentation; these factors and extra nutrients greatly increased 

the biomass of Phalaris. 

The researchers also developed a conceptual model that indicates how nutrient-rich runoff from urban or 

rural landscapes accelerates the incursion of invasive species. Their findings suggested that a holistic 

approach is needed to control invasive species including: 1) minimizing runoff through infiltrationenhancing measures, such as swales; 2) removing invasive species through herbicides or sod removal; 3) 

replanting natives; 4) providing long-term surveillance and spot treatment of re-invading clones; and 5) 

reintroducing native species that do not self recover. 

Thermal Impacts of Best Management Practices 

Researchers examined thermal data for the water retained by a detention pond, a bio-engineered wetland, 

and a grass swale. Grass swales that infiltrate water reduced thermal pollution, whereas detention ponds 

increased the heat output of runoff by an average of 10%. 

Hydrologic Modeling: Individual Infiltration Practices 

Small-scale infiltration practices, such as bioretention facilities and infiltration trenches, can prevent 

increases in the volume of storm runoff and decreases in the volume of groundwater recharge. The 

researchers developed numerical models that could be used to design and evaluate the benefits of such 

infiltration practices. Two models were developed for simulating the performance of a multi-layered 

infiltration practice in continuous time. 

The first model uses Richard’s Equation to simulate flow. It demonstrated the following three points. 

There is an optimal facility size, if the purpose of the facilty is to increase groundwater recharge. An 

optimally designed bioretention facility can yield groundwater recharge rates well above rates that occur 

in undeveloped conditions. An infiltration facility designed to maximize groundwater recharge can 

significantly reduce runoff volumes (Dussaillant et al., 2004). 

This model has long run times, making it unsuitable for design use, so the researchers developed a much 

faster model, based on the Green-Ampt equation. This model incorporated a user-friendly interface that 

allows a user to evaluate the performance of a multi-layered infiltration practice with an under drain. It 

also can determine the size of the facility required to insure a specific volume of storm water retention. 

A spreadsheet model, augmented to account for infiltration practices, was developed based on the 

commonly used Natural Resources Conservation Services “curve number” method. This model assessed 

potential benefits of infiltration practices in the context of four alternative development types: 

conventional curvilinear, urban cluster, coving, and new urbanism. Urban cluster developments produce 

the smallest volume of runoff due to the large portion of land left in natural condition. Significant 

reductions can be achieved in the four development types if infiltration practices are used to treat many

impervious surfaces. 

Researchers also modified the U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation Modeling System to model 

infiltration practices at the watershed scale. Tesults indicated that intensive use of infiltration practices 

can preserve groundwater recharge rates in both moderate and high development scenarios, but cannot 

preserve runoff volumes in the high development scenario. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-12 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Agricultural Practices 

This research was conducted in the “urban fringe,” where farming competed with land development. 

Urbanization pressures resulted in a fragmented pattern of land ownership and rental, which caused 

greater separation of farm fields, resulting in the need to haul manure greater distances (Cabot et al., 

2004). These conditions tended to produce two equally unattractive propositions: paying to have excess 

manure hauled elsewhere or over-applying manure on a field. Rather than hauling partial loads of manure 

to a field or return from the field with the spreader still half-full, producers preferred over-applying 

manure to portions of their fields. Due to these complications, some producers were reluctant to 

implement nutrient management plans. 

One strategy for managing manure to better balance and reduce the surplus of phosphorus on the fields is 

to encourage cooperative agreements between dairy and livestock producers and cash-grain farmers. 

However, the ongoing urbanization complicates this arrangement, because tracts of grain land tend to be 

sparse and beyond the maximum distance that producers can profitably haul the manure. Another 

strategy is to encourage manure brokering programs that direct manure to land that can accept and use it 

without further polluting the runoff and groundwater. Finally, precision conservation may make it 

possible for producers to manage manure and nutrients at levels at or below those at which nonpoint 

source pollution originates. However, precision conservation uses geographic positioning systems (GPS), 

making it costly and unfamiliar to most producers. 

Social Impediments to Low-Impact Development 

The social research portion of this grant revealed two barriers that must be overcome if low-impact 

development is to be adopted in urban design: institutional barriers, such as zoning and subdivision 

regulations, and human biases or inadequate knowledge of key players. Subdivision ordinances are 

critical tools for guiding lot size, building setbacks, determining street configuration and width, and 

establishing procedures and standards that must be followed when subdividing a large parcel of land. The 

vast majority of subdivisions in this study included large impervious surfaces that reduce storm-water 

infiltration and increase runoff. There was little evidence of “best management practices.” Many of these 

environmentally unfriendly ordinances stemmed from the interests of various institutional players, such as 

the fire department and snow removal personnel. Another barrier to low-impact development was the 

lack of knowledge by many engineers and planners of alternative infiltration practices and their 

effectiveness under varying conditions. 

Different problems existed with retrofitting established urban areas with infiltration systems. Individual 

homeowners and commercial property owners are the key players for implementing infiltration systems at 

the individual property scale. Voluntary installation of rain gardens by local residents can help to 

alleviate chronic flooding problems in their community. It was determined that voluntary participation in 

these programs brought about a greater sense of buy-in by the participants and eliminated those unwilling 

or unable to maintain their rain gardens. Because many homeowners had no prior knowledge of rain 

gardens they associated the term “garden” with work, and, therefore, did not want to participate initially. 

The other common reason for not participating was, “I don’t have a water problem, so I don’t need a 

garden.” 

To reduce land development impacts, local subdivision ordinances should be examined, and, if necessary,

revised to be consistent with smart-growth principles. They should promote, if not require, low-impact 

development practices. This research identified ordinances that are barriers to low-impact development 

and recommendations will be made by the researchers to eliminate these barriers. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-13 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.5 STAR Grant R828011 

Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal Watershed 

Principal Investigator: Brett Sanders, University of California – Irvine 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Enterococci bacteria are present at high concentrations in urban runoff, bird feces, and marsh 

sediments and on marine vegetation (Grant, 2001). 

• During dry weather, concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are highest in inland urban 

runoff; they are intermediate in tidal channels with variable mixtures of urban runoff and ocean 

water; and they are lowest in ocean water at the base of the watershed (Sanders, Final Report, 

2004). 

• The vast majority of FEB loading occurs during storm events. FIB loads during dry periods 

account for only 1% of the annual runoff load and dissipate in tidal channels.

• FIP loads exported from the watershed to the surf zone during dry weather are deflected along the 

shoreline by wave-driven currents and can cause the standards for water-contact recreation to be 

exceeded. The origin of these loads is scouring by tidal currents of channel and marsh sediments. 

• Sediment contamination from bird droppings, decaying vegetation, and bacterial regrowth is 

linked to urban runoff during wet and dry periods. Since intertidal wetlands are natural generators 

of FIB, these results call into question the exclusive use of FIB as the basis of health standards for 

water-contact recreation at beaches near the outlet of intertidal wetlands. 

• Stakeholders, including beach-goers, business owners, and environmentalists, have diverse 

opinions about the causes of beach pollution, the health risks, and the financial responsibility for 

correcting the problem. 

Products: 

• A hydrodynamic flow and transport model that elucidates the volumetric exchanges that occur between 

the upper and lower portions of the watershed and the coastal zone illuminate the hydraulic connectivity

of the system. 

• An approach to using first-principle models to predict fecal indicator bacteria in an estuarine setting with 

significant non-point sources of pollution. 

• A survey on public’s concerns, opinions, and attitudes about efforts to investigate and improve coastal 

water quality. 

User Community: 

• Huntington state and city beaches in Southern California 

• Orange County Health Care Agency, California 

• Beach goers 

• Environmentalists 

• Local businesses 

• Public health officials 

• Wastewater utility managers. 

Themes: 

Multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, and urban 

In an effort to better protect public health, California has mandated a new state law to monitor 

recreational water quality at California beaches that receive 50,000 or more visitors a season. Within a 

year of the bill’s passage, two beaches in Southern California, Huntington State Beach and City Beach, 

posted 99 water quality hazards. Investigations indicated that the source of the beach pollution problems 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-14 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

was urban runoff from the nearby Talbert Watershed (Sanders, 2000 Progress Report). Researchers under 

this grant were tasked with investigating the problem. Specifically, researchers sought to: 

• characterize the spatio-temporal variability of microbial pollution in urban runoff and to identify the 

association between pathogens and indicator organisms, 

• develop a strategy to control the impact of urban runoff on the microbial water quality of coastal 

wetlands and beaches during non-storm periods, and 

• develop a multi-objective decision model to aid stakeholders in selecting strategies to mitigate 

microbial pollution problems in coastal waters. 

The study watershed is urbanized and consists of residential developments, commercial districts, plant 

nurseries, and light industry. The storm water system is separate from the area’s sanitary sewer system; 

therefore, dry and wet weather runoff flows to the ocean without treatment. The Talbert Marsh is a 10-

hectare remnant of an original 1200-hectare saltwater wetland and dune system drained and filled during 

the last century for agricultural and urban development. Construction of the Pacific Coastal Highway and 

flood control measures isolated most of the remaining historical wetland from tidal flooding. As part of a 

habitat restoration effort, tidal flushing was restored in 1990, with the construction of a new tidal inlet. 

Since its restoration, the marsh has become a typical tidal saltwater marsh with open water, wetland, and 

upland habitats (Grant, 2001). 

Researchers conducted extensive monitoring of surface waters to measure the spatio-temporal variability

of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) loads; examined factors that control fate and transport; and monitored 

and examined the association between FIB and other fecal indicators. The investigators also developed 

one- and two-dimensional hydrodynamic models to analyze the fecal indicator bacteria loads in tidal 

channels and into the surf-zone and to develop a predictive tool for examining how bacteria loads would 

be altered by operational changes to the infrastructure. They performed surveys to measure stakeholder 

preference in the context of multi-stakeholder, multi-objective beach pollution problems and to support 

decision-making analysis. 

Using numerical modeling, the researchers predicted FIB loads in tidal wetlands. Total coliform were

predicted more accurately than E. coli or enterococci, both in terms of magnitude and tidal variability. 

This work represented the first case where first-principle models were successfully applied to predict FIB 

in an estuarine setting with significant non-point sources of pollution. The approach is highly transferable

and could benefit both wetland restoration and water quality compliance efforts on a widespread basis 

(Sanders et al. 2004). 

This analysis showed that FIB loads in runoff during dry weather periods accounted for only about 1% of 

the watershed’s annual runoff load. The vast majority of FIB loads are shed during storms and are 

associated with particles scoured from the water collection system, including street gutters, storm pipes, 

and storm channels. The loads exported from the watershed to the surf zone during dry weather are 

deflected along the shoreline by wave-driven currents, which can cause water-contact recreation standards 

to be exceeded. Models showed that such loads originate when tidal currents scour channel and marsh 

sediments that have been contaminated by urban runoff from bird droppings, decaying vegetation, and

bacterial regrowth. 

On the basis of FIB control, the efficacy of dry-weather diversion for FIB control in the Talbert 

Watershed is unclear, although the diversions also deter other types of pollution, such as oil and heavy

metals). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-15 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.6 STAR Grant R828012 

The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and Ecology to 

Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream Ecosystems 

Principal Investigator: Margaret A. Palmer, University of Maryland – College Park 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Urbanized streams tended to have incised channels, lower base-flow, more extreme peak flows and 

lower levels of invertebrate diversity than agricultural streams. 

• Agricultural streams had very high nutrient levels and very low ammonia uptake compared with 

urbanized streams. 

• Invertebrate diversity was strongly related to land use, showing a linear decline as the percentage of 

development increased. 

• The high invertebrate diversity in agricultural streams could be attributed to pro-active conservation 

management and best management practices (BMPs) conducted in the study locations. 

• There was a strong relationship between invertebrate species richness and percent riparian forest 

buffer in the most urbanized study sites. In areas with a high percentage of impervious surface (60%), 

stream invertebrate diversity appeared relatively protected if the surrounding riparian forest was intact 

• Riparian buffers and the levels of nitrogen in the stream influenced the nutrient uptake of ammonium. 

Products: 

• A spatially explicit model that incorporates feedback over time among land parcels, based on their 

location relative to one another 

• GIS- techniques for modeling land-use change and its consequences on flows in small urbanizing or 

urbanized watersheds 

• A new method that uses historical and aerial photography, current land-use maps, and tax map

information to create an annual time series of spatially distributed land use 

• Three types of models for geomorphology and sediment transport in urbanizing watersheds 

• A model that provides comprehensive predictions of the morphology, texture, and elevation of a 

stream reach 

• Multiple regression models to predict ecosystem structure and function 

User Community: 

• Resource Managers and Decision Makers – Montgomery County, MD, Department of 

Environmental Protection; Howard County, MD; Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 

Maryland Biological Stream Survey; Maryland Department of the Environment; Maryland-National 

Capital Park and Planning Commission. 

• University of Maryland 

• Urban Planners 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Water, Office of Environmental Information 

Themes: 

 Economics, multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, scientific techniques, and urban 

 

Researchers under this grant developed a four-phase, multidisciplinary project to gain insight into the impact of 

human land conversion on stream habitat and ecosystem health. In addition researchers sought to examine how 

government policy and economic analyses could guide the patterns of future land development and growth to

minimize ecological impacts (Palmer, Abstract). 

Research focused on contrasting two sets of watersheds in Maryland, the Paint Branch and Northwest Branch

watersheds characterized by older neighborhoods close to Washington, DC, and the Hawlings and Cattail 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-16 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

watersheds in the rapidly developing rural-urban areas of Montgomery and Howard Counties, Maryland. Within 

these watersheds, 69 study sites were selected to conduct research that would allow investigators to gain insight 

into the connection between the hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, and the economics of land-use change. 

Researchers in each of the four major topic areas worked closely as a team to complete detailed analyses of the 

following: 

• the factors controlling land-use change within the study watersheds 

• how land use affects peak and base stream flows 

• channel geometry

• the abundance and diversity of fish and invertebrates 

• the effects of land-use change on stream metabolism, nutrient uptake, and decomposition (Palmer, Final 

Report, 2004). 

 

Researchers also worked to enhance a current economic model of land-use change using new advances in 

economic theories. This model incorporates aspects of the regulatory environment governing land-use changes 

and, as a result, can capture the effects of various regulatory land-use scenarios. To test the effectiveness of this 

model, researchers compared it to the currently used SLUETH model. Based upon the comparison, it is evident 

that unlike this new model, the SLUETH model cannot adequately capture the effects of land-use policies and, 

because it is not “process-based,” the SLUETH model tends to confuse correlation with causation ((Palmer, Final 

Report, 2004). 

As a result of the researchers’ assessment of the impacts of land-use change on hydrology, several new GIS-based 

techniques were developed for modeling. These techniques helped researchers better understand the consequences 

of land-use change on the flows of small urbanized and/or urbanizing watersheds. These new techniques were 

based on two unique approaches: 1) the incorporation of historical land and aerial photography, current land-use 

maps, and tax map information to create an annual time series of spatially distributed land use; and 2) the use of 

this new time series to model the evolution of peak and low flows as a function of land-use change (Palmer, Final 

Report, 2004). In addition to these new techniques, researchers developed a new index, the Hydrologic 

Disturbance Index, which can be used to describe changes in flow behavior within a watershed as a result of landuse change. 

Geomorphic studies resulted in the development of 4 additional models. These new numerical models can be used 

to predict: 

• changes in stream channel width 

• sediment yield and the evolution of stream bed material grain size and distribution 

• the morphology of the and stream bed sediment characteristics of a reach subjected to changes in discharge 

and sediment supply caused by varying land use and climate 

• the morphology, texture and elevation of a reach (Palmer, Final Report, 2004). 

Geomorphic field studies also assisted researchers in establishing empirical relationships that help estimate the 

changes in pool depth and ripple frequency as a function of land use. Both pool depth and ripple frequency are 

important elements in the evaluation of fish habitat. 

The results of the ecological studies conducted at 68 stream reaches across the four study watersheds 

revealed the following. 

• Urbanized streams tended to have incised channels, lower base-flow, more extreme peak flows and 

low levels of invertebrate diversity when compared to agricultural streams. 

• Agricultural streams had very high nutrient levels and very low ammonia uptake compared to 

urbanized streams. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-17 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

• Invertebrate diversity was strongly related to land use, showing a linear decline as the percentage of 

development increased. 

• The high invertebrate diversity in agricultural streams could be attributed to pro-active conservation 

management and best management practices (BMPs) being conducted in the study locations. 

• A strong relationship existed between invertebrate species richness and percent riparian forest buffer 

in the most significantly urbanized study sites. In areas with a high percentage of impervious surface 

(60%), stream invertebrate diversity appeared to be relatively protected if the surrounding riparian 

forest was intact 

• The nutrient uptake of ammonium was influenced by both the presence of riparian buffers and the 

levels of nitrogen in the stream. 

Because of this research, resource managers and decision-makers now have better insight into the effects 

of human land-use conversion on both stream habitat and ecosystem health. The new tools and 

methodologies will help these regulators better assess the impacts of land-use change and help guide them

through future land development and growth. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-18 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.7 STAR Grant R828021 

Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at National Watershed Levels: 

Modeling and Statistical Approaches 

Principal Investigator: Scott Farrow, Carnegie Mellon University

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• A key outcome of this research grant has been the formulation of a modeling approach to determine 

the unit damages and appropriate trading ratios for different water pollution sources. 

• Results of the predictability analysis for the existing National Water and Pollutions Control 

Assessment Model (NWPCAM) showed a positive and statistically significant correlation between 

NWPCAM results and field data; however, predictions did not highly correlate with the collected 

water quality data. 

• Analyses of use-support predictions (i.e., Is the water body fishable or swimmable?) showed a 

positive and statistically significant correspondence between STORET and NWPCAM use-support 

classification approaches; however, the level of agreement between the predictions was not high. 

Products: 

• The Reduced Form Model (RFM) for evaluating surface water quality

• A new calibration measure for the NWPCAM 

• New semi-automated calibration procedures for NWPCAM to determine model coefficients that best 

match the observed data from the EPA’s water quality database, STORET. 

User Community: 

• Water quality, watershed, and environmental managers 

• Water resource regulatory agencies 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Themes: 

Multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, scientific techniques 

Using statistics and modeling, the researchers under this grant developed a tool for evaluating surface 

water quality that integrates physical, ecological, and social sciences data. To achieve this, the researchers 

assessed and modified an existing nationally-scoped watershed model, the National Water and Pollutions 

Control Assessment Model (NWPCAM), and developed a new Reduced Form Model (RFM). In addition, 

researchers investigated the benefits associated with establishing a water quality emissions trading 

program. 

Initial investigations involved testing the NWPCAM to assess its performance, interpret its outputs, and 

enhance its utility for watershed and environmental managers (Cooter et al., Final Report). Model 

assessments addressed the integration of physical, ecological, and social performance measures at the 

watershed level by helping to establish the credibility of the ecological modeling tool. Testing was 

conducted at the watershed level. Strategies included validation of both the operational aspects of the 

computer program, as well as the predictive ability of the water-quality model. Predictability testing was 

based on a comparison of model results to a series of field observations conducted in six watersheds 

within the Monongahela River Basin and to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 

(EPA’s) water quality database STORET. Results of the predictability analysis showed a positive and 

statistically significant correlation between NWPCAM results and field data. Despite these correlations, 

predictions made by the model were not highly correlated with STORET water quality data collected in 

the watershed. Use-support predictions (In other words, is the water body healthy for boating, fishing, or

swimming?) also were assessed by comparing STORET data and NWPCAM model results. Analyses 

showed a positive and statistically significant correspondence between STORET and NWPCAM useSuccesses. Results, and Findings 2-19 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

support classification approaches. However, the level of agreement between the predictions was not high. 

In order to reduce prediction errors, researchers applied a new calibration measure to the NWPCAM and 

developed new semi-automated calibration procedures to determine model coefficients that best match the 

observed data from STORET. 

The NWPCAM often is used by managers and regulatory agencies to evaluate policy choices. However, 

due to the design of the model, there has been no easy or cost effective way to incorporate factors of 

uncertainty into the decision-making process to allow managers to fully test policy assumptions and 

outcomes. Researchers developed the Reduced Form Model (RFM). The RMF has the ability to 

efficiently and effectively simulate potential water quality policy outcomes from both a physical and 

economic perspective. To date, RMFs have been developed and applied in the states of Arizona, Iowa, 

Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 

In addition to model testing, researchers under this grant investigated the benefits associated with 

establishing water quality emissions trading programs. Researchers investigated optimal point and nonpoint source pollution trading ratios to meet various pollution standards. Researchers used these ratios to 

develop a modeling approach to determine potential damages and appropriate trading ratios for different 

water pollution sources. Outcomes from this emissions trading study are now being considered as input 

by the U.S. EPA in the development of an exploratory pollutant emissions trading program focused on 

nutrient control for the Ohio River Basin. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-20 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.8 STAR Grant R828070 

An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the Middle Rio 

Grande Basin 

Principal Investigator: Olen Paul Matthews, University of New Mexico 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Twenty-six percent of stakeholders surveyed throughout the Middle Rio Grand River Basin 

considered themselves well informed about water-use issues; 65% indicated that they participate in 

water-planning activities. 

• Fifty percent of stakeholders strongly supported mandatory water-use controls over price increases as 

the preferred form of water resource management. 

Products: 

• Modification of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Powerism Model 

• The Organizational Stakeholder Survey

User Community:

• Stakeholders 

• Water resource managers 

• Regulatory agencies 

• Watershed conservation groups 

Themes: 

Economics, politics and policies, scientific techniques, and social science 

 

Water allocation and reallocation is a significant issue in the western portion of the United States. Researchers 

under this grant selected the Rio Grande watershed in New Mexico to test a model that integrates components of 

physical, environmental, and human systems to help simulate potential watershed changes related to water-policy 

options. In addition, researchers conducted an in-depth stakeholder evaluation to assess the social and economic

impacts of various water-policy options within the study location. 

The model selected for use was the Powerism Model. This model was developed by the researchers at the 

Sandia National Laboratory and was modified under this grant to better represent the spatial distribution 

of water use throughout the Middle Rio Grand region. As a result of this modification, researchers could 

better examine the hydrology, ecology and demography of the Middle Rio Grande basin to assess various 

water-use management decisions. 

Three stakeholder surveys were conducted throughout the study watershed. The first, the Organizational 

Stakeholder Survey, was administered to 13 organizations throughout the Middle Rio Grande, including

government representatives, environmentalists and pro-industry advocates. The survey focus was to learn 

the perceptions of various groups regarding the current use and supply of water in the region, as well as 

their view on how it might change over the next decade. Researchers also hoped to gain insight into 

measures or practices various stakeholders would like implemented throughout the region to ensure 

adequate water supply. 

The other two stakeholder surveys targeted individuals. These surveys asked stakeholders about their 

individual water-use practices and their involvement in their region’s water planning activities. 

Participants also were asked to make hypothetical water-use allocation decisions among agricultural, 

municipal/industrial, and ecosystems areas either for three distinct reaches of the Middle Rio Grande or 

for the region as a whole. Seventy percent of those surveyed were on a municipal water system; 26% 

considered themselves well informed about water-use issues; and 65% participated in water-planning 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-21 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

activities (Mathews et al., 2004). In addition, 65% monitored and compared their water use over time. In 

terms of water-use management, 50% strongly supported mandatory water-use controls over price 

increases. 

During the final phase of this research effort, stakeholders were invited to participate in a computerized 

simulation study using the updated Powerism model. The simulation allowed them to assess the physical 

and economic outcomes of various water-use management practices. Participants were divided into three 

user groups: urban, agricultural and riparian habitat and were asked to enter water-use allocations into the 

model via a web-interface developed by the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC) at the University of New 

Mexico. Each participant received the physical and economic results of their entries in the form of maps 

showing changes in use intensity, graphs depicting changes in water available to each user group, and 

numbers showing the economic gain or loss experienced by each group (Mathews et al., 2004). 

Through the enhancement of the Powerism Model and stakeholder evaluations, researchers provided stakeholders 

with the tools and knowledge to more accurately evaluate water reallocation policy options within their 

watershed. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-22 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

3. REFERENCES 

STAR GRANT R828007

Overmyer, J.P. and Noblet, R. (2004) “Final Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” 

University of Georgia, Athens, GA, July 2004. 

Armbrust, K.L., L. Shuman, J. Meyer, M. Black, R. Noblet, et al. “2001 Progress Report: The Impact of 

Lawn Care Practices on Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds,” U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, National Center for Environmental Research. URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/797/report/2001 

STAR GRANT R828008

Richmond, R.H., Hamnett, M., and Wolanski, E. “Final Report: Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem

Integrity and Restoration Options with Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the 

Societal Costs of Poor Land-use Practices,” University of Guam Marine Laboratory, Mangilao, Guam, 

University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Townsville, Australia, Dec. 

5, 2004.

STAR GRANT R828009

Day, J., Cable, J., Justic, D., Fry, B., Kemp, P., Reyes, E., Templet, P., and Twilley, R. “2001 Progress 

Report: PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability in Coastal 

Louisiana,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research. URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/795/report/2001 

“Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion Project, Mississippi Delta Region, LA,” US Army Corps of

Engineers, New Orleans District. URL: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/prj/caernarvon/caernarvon.htm

Day, J., Cable, J., Justic, D., Fry, B., Kemp, P., Reyes, E., Templet, P., and Twilley, R. “Final Technical 

Report: PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability in Coastal 

Louisiana,” Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and University

of New Orleans, Dec. 17, 2004.

STAR GRANT R828010 

Swanson and Bahr, “Analytical and Numerical Models to Explain Steady Rates of Spring Flow.” Ground 

Water, 42:747-759, 2004. 

Brander, K.E., Owen, K.E., and Potter, K.W. “Modeled Impacts of Development Type on Runoff Volume

and Infiltration Performance,” Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 40(4), 961-970. 

Lathrop, R.C., Potter, K.W., Bahr, J.M., Bradbury, K.R., Greb, S.R., et al. “Alternative Urbanization 

Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, Social Constraints, and Effects of Groundwater 

and Surface Water Systems.” Abstract, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for 

Environmental Research. URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/579/report/0 

Lathrop, R.C., Potter, K.W., Bahr, J.M., Bradbury, K.R., Greb, S.R., et al. “2001 Progress Report: 

Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, Social Constraints, 

and Effects of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

References 3-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

National Center for Environmental Research, URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/579/report/2001 

Lathrop, R.C., Potter, K.W., Bahr, J.M., Bradbury, K.R., Greb, S.R., LaGro Jr., J.A., Nelson, E.B., 

Nowak, P., and Zedler, J.B., “Final Report: Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural 

Watershed: Design Criteria, Social Constraints, and Effects of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems,” 

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 

Wisconsin. 

Kercher, S. and Zedler, J. “Anthropogenic Disturbances Increase Invisibility of Wet Meadows by Reed 

Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.P: a Mesocosm Study.” Presented at the Wisconsin Wetlands 

Association 8th Annual Wetlands Science Forum, La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 2003. 

Dussaillant, A.R., Wu, C., and Potter, K.W. “Richards Equation Model of a Rain Garden,” Journal of 

Hydrologic Engineering, ASCE, 9:219-225, 2004. 

Cabot, P.E., Bowen, S.K., and Nowak, P. “Manure Management in Urbanizing Settings,” Journal of Soil

and Water Conservation, 59:235-243, 2004. 

STAR GRANT R828011

Grant, S.B., Sanders, B.F., Boehm, A.B., Redman, J.A., Kim, et al. “Generation of Enterococci Bacteria 

in a Coastal Saltwater Marsh and Its Impact on Surf Zone Water Quality,” Environmental Science & 

Technology, 12, 2407-2415, 2001. 

Sanders, B., Grant, S.B., Horne, A., Keller, R., Sobsey, M.D. “Final Report, Executive Summary: 

Identification and Control of Non-Point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal Watershed.” 

University of California, Irvine, University of California, Berkeley, University of North Carolina, Chapel 

Hill, September 7, 2004. 

Sanders, B., Grant, S.B., Horne, A., Keller, R., Sobsey, M.D. “2000 Progress Report: Identification and 

Control of Non-Point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal Watershed,” U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, 2001. URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/575/report/2000

. 

STAR GRANT 82-8012 

Palmer, M.A.., Bockstael, N., Moglen, G.E., Poff, N.L., Wiegand, C., Ness, K.V., “The Spatial Patterning 

of Land Use Conversion: Linking Economics, Hydrology and Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of 

Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream Ecosystems,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

National Center for Environmental Research. URL: 

http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/793/report/0 

Palmer, M.A.., Bockstael, N., Moglen, G.E., Poff, N.L., Wiegand, C., Ness, K.V., “Final Technical 

Report: The Spatial Patterning of Land Use Conversion: Linking Economics, Hydrology and Ecology to

Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream Ecosystems,” University of 

Maryland, College Park, Maryland, December 12, 2004. 

STAR GRANT 82-8021 

Cooter, W.S., Farrow, S., Small, M., Bondelid, T., Solow, A., Van Houtven, G., Sinnott, J., Schultz, M. 

“Final Report: Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurement for Management at National 

Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches,” Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 

References 3-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

References 3-3 

Pennsylvania, Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woods 

Hole, Massachusetts. 

Farrow, R.S., Schultz, M.T., Celikkol. P., and Van Houtven, G.L. “Pollution Trading in Water Quality 

Limited Areas: Use of Benefits Assessment and Efficient Trading Ratios,” Land Economics, 81:191-205, 

May 2005. 

STAR GRANT 82-8070 

Mathews, O.P., Brookshire, D.S., Chermak, J.M., Krause, K.K., Watson, R., et al. “Final Technical 

Report: An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocations and Decision Making in the Middle Rio 

Grande,” University of New Mexico, Albuquerque June 2004.
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDICES 

Appendices 4-1 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDIX A. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828007 The Impact of 

Lawn Care onAquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds 

Armbrust, K. – Universityof Georgia 

Economics, Multi-criteria studies, Social science, Urban 

Assessed affects of

homeowner lawncare values and practices on suburban watersheds 

• Publications & 

presentations on research findings and methodologies

• Pesticide con

ecosystems aand the quanstream draina

• Types and co

streams were socioeconomHowever, the effects were valued propeRaymond, 20

• Homeowners 

respect for neprimary motiresidential laRaymond, 20

• Professional 

companies arlabor is signilawn-care chRaymond, 20manager and develop ecolpractices muprivate homeprofessionals

Appendices 4-2 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Appendices 4-3 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828008 Integrating 

Coral Reef EcosystemIntegrity and Restoration Options with Watershedbased Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor Landuse Practices

Richmond, R.H. – University of Guam

Economics, Fishing, Multicriteria studies, Politics and policies, Restoration, Scientific techniques, Social science 

Developed tools for predicting impact of human activities on coral reefs and described mitigation methods and land-management activities that can aid coral reef health. 

• HOME (hydrology, 

oceanography, meteorology, ecology) ecohydrology model that predicts the impact of natural and human disturbances from land runoff on coral reefs 

• Development of a coral 

mud resuspender to quantify the amount of mud trapped on coral reefs (marine snow) and available for resuspension by waves. 

• Development of a suite 

of biomarkers for identifying stress in corals. 

• At least 6 chem

the successful rewatershed disch

• Watershed disch

composition, str

• Using molecula

observed in cor

• Molecular biom

specific causes 

• Over fishing of 

sediment accumsediment from l

• Mitigation meth

control and a refilamentous alg

• The three bays s

the magnitude ocharacteristics oreceiving water

• Successful man

adjacent to high proper land-use 

• Mangroves buff

sedimentation. 

• It is not possible 

managing huma

• Community inv

changing land-u

• A moratorium o

achieved after a fishermen, and language in the 

• Science must go 

environmental dmanaging humaecosystems. Soapplication of dimplementation
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828009 PULSES – The 

Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability in Coastal Lousiana 

Day, J. –Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge

Economics, Multi-criteria studies, Social sciences

Researchers sought toinvestigate the ecological responses of the marshes and baysof Breton Sound to an Army Corps of Engineers’ river diversion project. 

• Eutrophication model that 

includes nutrient uptakes andmultiple algal assemblages. The model runs as a standalone module or can be linkedto a larger 2-dimensional hydrodynamic model. 

• Environmental dataset for the

Caernarvon Watershed, including precipitation, air,temperature, solar irradiance, water temperature, river state,diversion discharge, and nutrient loading from 1956 to 1998. 

• A spatially distributed dataset 

that includes topological and vegetation maps for the areas. 

• An integrated physicalbiological water quality model 

of the Caernarvon Riverwatershed. 

• Framework for implementing a 

2-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the Caernarvon diversion. 

• Conceptual model of the 

interaction of natural and

economic systems in the Caernarvon watershed. 

• Annual workshops at 

Louisiana State University,Baton Rouge, on preliminaryresults of the Pulses Project. 

• Numerous presentations to 

scientific and natural resource management communities. 

• River diversi

resulted in in(reduction in accretion, lowincorporation local food we

• The diversion 

watershed hamarsh commfreshwater diloss and a prein 1988. 

• An increased 

presence of a cause eutroph

• Long-duratio

release of rivmore can leashrimp and o

study locatio

• The socio-ec

under this grdecision-makthat efforts uwill lead to imwellbeing. 

• River diversi

dredging in rwetlands; hospatially, dre

Appendices 4-4 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828010 Alternative

Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems 

Lathrop, R.C. – Universityof Wisconsin - Madison 

Agriculture, Economics, Multi-criteria studies, Politics and policies, Restoration, Scientific techniques, Social science, Urban 

The researchers developed and evaluated alternative management practices that could assist local governments and citizens groups with improving the protection and management of critical aquatic resources in anagricultural area undergoing urbanization.

• A model that simulates 

potential effects of urbanexpansion and increasedgroundwater pumping. The model simulates the effects ofpreferential bedrock flow zones and improves calibrationof spatial variations in groundwater discharge tostreams and at springs. 

• A conceptual model of a 

wetland transect that illustrates the interaction betweenstratigraphy, groundwater discharge, and vegetationgradients 

• A conceptual model that

explains how opportunistic invasive species becomeestablished in wetlands. The model indicates how nutrientrich runoff from urban or rural landscapes acceleratestakeover of invasive species at the landscape scale.

• Multiple numeric models that

can be used to design or evaluate the effects of smallscale infiltration practices

• Numerous articles in scientific

journals and numerous presentations at scientificmeetings 

• Steady spring fl

flow through th(Swanson and Bpotential for sanpreferential flow managing grounwater supplies f

• In this geologic 

cycling of water upper aquifer harespond primari

• Simulations of i

indicated the nerecharge to limifed wetlands in 

• Fen and sedge m

to hydro periodthan marsh vegemanagement of critical to preser

• Simple reductio

sedimentation awetlands from bcanary grass.

• Innovative prac

gardens that infpollution from utraditional stormponds. 

• Model results in

developments pand that significachieved in 4 diapproaches if inmany imperviou

Appendices 4-5 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828011 Identification 

and Control ofNon-pointSources of Microbial Pollution in aCoastal Watershed 

Sanders, B. – University of California 

Multi-criteria studies, Politics and policies, Urban 

This research examined factors controlling the fate and transport of Total coliform,E. coli and Enterococus in tidal channels and into the surfzone and assessed howinfrastructure changes would affect bacteraloads. 

• A hydrodynamic flow 

and transport model that elucidates the volumetric exchanges that occur between the upper and lower portions of the watershed, and between the coastal zone illuminate the hydraulic connectivity of the system

• A survey on public’s 

concerns, opinions, andattitudes about efforts to investigate and improve coastal water quality.

• Articles in scientific 

journals 

• Enterococci ba

concentrations sediments and o

• During dry wea

bacteria (FIB) athey are intermmixtures of urbare lowest in ocwatershed (San

• The vast major

storm events. Ffor only 1% of in tidal channel

• FIP loads expo

zone during dry shoreline by wastandards for wexceeded. The tidal currents o

• Sediment conta

decaying vegetto urban runoff intertidal wetlathese results caFIB as the basirecreation at bewetlands. 

• Stakeholders, in

owners, and enopinions about health risks, ancorrecting the p

Appendices 4-6 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828012 The Spatial 

Patterning of Land-use Conversion: LinkingEconomics, Hydrology, and Ecology toEvaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on StreamEcosystems 

Palmer, M.A.– Universityof Maryland– Collage Park 

Economics, Multi-criteria studies, Politics and policies, Scientific techniques, Urban 

This research provides resource managers and decision-makers improved information about the effects of human land-use conversion onstream habitat and ecosystemhealth. It provides new tools and methodologies to help regulators better assess land-use changes and to guide themthrough futureland development and growth. 

• A spatially explicit 

model that incorporates feedback over time among land parcels, based on their location relative to one another 

• GIS- techniques for 

modeling land-use change and its consequences on flows in small urbanizing or urbanized watersheds 

• A new method that uses 

historical and aerial photography, current land-use maps, and tax map information to create an annual time series of spatiallydistributed land use. 

• Three types of models 

for geomorphology and sediment transport in urbanizing watersheds 

• A model that provides 

comprehensive predictions of the morphology, texture, and elevation of a streamreach 

• Multiple regression 

models to predict ecosystem structure and function 

• Urbanized st

channels, lowpeak flows, adiversity than 

• Agricultural 

levels and vecompared to 

• Invertebrate 

to land use, spercentage o

• The high inv

agricultural spro-active cobest managemconducted in 

• There was a 

invertebrate riparian foressignificantly with a high psurface (60%appeared to bsurrounding 

• Riparian buff

in the stream of ammonium

Appendices 4-7 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828021 Linking

Environmental and Social Performance Measurementfor Management at National and Watershed Levels: Modeling andStatistical Approaches 

Farrow, S. – Carnegie Mellon University

Multi-criteria studies, politics and policies, Scientific techniques 

Researchers developed theReduced FormModel (RFM) to provide managers and decisionmakers with a better water qualityassessment tool. The RMF has the ability to efficiently and effectivelysimulate potential water qualitypolicy outcomes from both a physical and economic perspective. 

• Reduced Form Model 

(RFM) for evaluating surface water quality

• Researchers applied a 

new calibration measure to the NWPCAM and developed new semiautomated calibration procedures to determine model coefficients that best match the observed data from the EPA’s water quality database, STORET. 

• A key outcom

modeling appdamages and different wat

• Results of th

existing NatiControl Asseshowed a possignificant coresults and fiwere not highcollected wat

• Analyses of u

the water bodshowed a possignificant coSTORET and classification level of agreewas not high

Appendices 4-8 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

L

-R828070 An Integrated 

GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decisionmaking in theUpper Rio Grande 

Matthews, O.P. – University of New Mexico

Economics, Multi-criteria studies, Politics and policies, Social sciences 

Through the enhancement of the Powerism Model and stakeholder evaluations, researchers providedstakeholders with the tools and knowledge tomore accuratelyevaluate water reallocation policy options within their watershed. 

• A modified Geographic 

Information System(GIS) Powerism Model 

• Stakeholder survey

• Twenty-six p

surveyed throRiver Basin cinformed aboindicated thaplanning acti

• Fifty percent 

supported maover price inof water reso

Appendices 4-9 
dium of the Results of the 1999 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

4-10 

APPENDIX B. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES CHART 

Agriculture Economics Fishing Multi-criteria

Studies 

Politics 

and Policies 

Scientific 

Techniques

Social 

Science

Ur

R828007 X X X R828008 X X X X X XR828009 X X X X R828010 X X X X X R828011 X X X X R828012 X X X X R828021 X X X R828070 X X X X X

Compen Appendices 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDIX C. 1999 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES 

Agriculture 

R828010 – Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, 

Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems –

Lathrop, R.

Researchers examined the effects on groundwater and surface water systems in a largely

rural area where agriculture now competes with ongoing urbanization. They assessed 

changes in farmers’ fertilization practices that have resulted from new developments and 

weighed solutions that would be less detrimental to the watershed. 

Economics 

R828007 - The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds

– Ambrust, K. 

This project investigated the relationship between homeowner income and expenditures on 

pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and irrigation choices and found a significant relationship 

between income and total lawn and garden maintenance expenditures. 

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

Investigators quantified the cultural and economic impacts of poor land-use practices on 

the resources of 3 bays in Palau and Guam. This information was incorporated into 

community decision-making process concerning land practices. 

R828009 – PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability 

in Coastal Louisiana, Day, J. 

Based on a socio-economic and stakeholder analysis, researchers developed a conceptual 

model that links natural and human systems. This model can be used by resource 

managers to illustrate the link between efforts to improve natural systems with enhanced 

local economic wellbeing. 

R828012 – The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and 

Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems – Palmer, M. 

Using new economic theories, researchers enhanced a current economic model of land-use 

change. The model also can capture the effects of various regulatory land-use scenarios. 

R828070 – An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin – Matthews, O. 

The grant recipients updated the Powerism model, which enables users to assess the 

physical outcomes and economic gains or losses caused by various water-use management 

practices. 

Appendices 4-11 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Fishing 

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

Fishermen were involved in community meetings where researchers presented findings 

that showed the effects of poor land-use practices on fish and other natural resources in 

their local coral reef system. The findings prompted fishermen to find solutions to the 

environmental degradation affecting their livelihood. Researchers also learned that over 

fishing of herbivorous fishes contributes to sediment accumulation in the ecosystem. 

R828009 – PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability 

in Coastal Louisiana, Day, J. 

In assessing the diversion of river water to the Breton Sound coastal area in Louisiana, 

researchers determined if commercial and recreational fisheries and wildlife productivity

had increased because of the diversion. Changes in fishery production were analyzed. 

Preliminary results showed an increase in gulf menhaden and other finfish; however, the 

potential also existed for an increase in eutrophication, which could depress yields of 

certain species. 

Multi-criteria Studies 

R828007 - The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds

– Ambrust, K. 

The project evaluated whether the values, socioeconomic status, and lawn-care practices of 

homeowners contributes to nutrient and pesticide loads in the watersheds in their study. 

Researchers investigated concentrations of turf-care products and biological indicators of 

ecosystem health in selected residential watersheds and determined cultural beliefs and 

practices of lawn-care maintenance by home-owners.

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

Researchers called upon the biological, physical, and social sciences to determine which 

coastal pollutants were of greatest concern to coral reef sustainability in Palau and Guam, 

to characterize watershed discharges affecting coastal reefs, and to develop an ongoing

flow of information between themselves and community members during the policymaking process. 

R828009 – PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability 

in Coastal Louisiana, Day, J. 

To gain insight into the effects of a river diversion project, researchers conducted a series 

of physical and ecological studies. Using social and socio-economic analyses, they

developed a model for decision makers that clarified the linkages between human and 

natural systems. 

Appendices 4-12 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R828010 – Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, 

Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems –

Lathrop, R.

To assess the affects of altered hydrologic regimes caused by urbanization in a rural area, 

researchers assessed plant biodiversity, including an invasive species, developed a 

conceptual model for hydrology related to groundwater discharge, assessed phosphorus 

levels attributable to manure application, and developed models simulating the hydrologic 

functioning of rain gardens. 

R828011 – Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal 

Watershed – Sanders, B. 

Researchers characterized the spatio-temporal vaiability of microbial pollution in urban 

runoff, developed a strategy to control the impact of urban runoff on the microbial water 

quality of coastal wetlands and beaches, and developed a decision-making model to aid 

community members in mitigating the microbial pollution causing beach closures. 

R828012 – The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and 

Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems – Palmer, M. 

This four-phase project provides insight into the impact of human land conversion on 

stream habitat and ecosystem health. Research covered land use, geomorphic and ecologic 

structure and function, government policy and regulations, and ecological factors such as 

species richness, nutrient levels, and riparian buffers. 

R828021 – Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at National

Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches – Farrow, S. 

This project team addressed the integration of physical, ecological, and social science 

factors in their assessment of the performance of a watershed-based water-quality model, 

the National Water Pollution Control Assessment Model. 

R828070 – An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin – Matthews, O. 

This project had two primary aspects. One involved developing an integrated Geographic 

Information System framework to simulate interactions and changes within the Rio Grande 

watershed in New Mexico. For this economic, legal, and biophysical information was 

collected and incorporated in the model. The other aspect involved stakeholder evaluation 

of future water-use policy options. 

Politics and Policies 

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

Scientists regularly presented their questions and findings to community representatives, 

including Chiefs, fishermen, and community groups. The communities used this 

information to make policies, which included a fishing ban, a moratorium on cutting and 

filling of mangroves, and other actions. 

Appendices 4-13 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R828010 – Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, 

Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems –

Lathrop, R. 

Researchers identified institutional and social barriers to low-impact storm-water 

management practices. These included municipal ordinances, such as standards for curbs 

and street widths, and a lack of knowledge about alternative storm water management 

practices among builders, planners, and related professionals. 

R828011 – Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal 

Watershed – Sanders, B. 

Researchers used a multi-objective decision model to aid stakeholders in selecting 

strategies to mitigate microbial pollution problems on their local beach. They found that 

different interest groups had divergent views concerning the risks of beach pollution, as 

well as of the costs of correcting the problem. 

R828012 – The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and 

Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems – Palmer, M. 

This research team included local government scientists and policy makers as well as 

academicians from the fields of ecology, economics, hydrology, and geomorphology.

R828021 – Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at National

Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches – Farrow, S. 

Researchers formulated a modeling approach to determine unit damages and appropriate 

trading ratios for different sources of water pollution (Farrow, et al., 2004). 

R828070 – An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin – Matthews, O. 

Researchers conducted three stakeholder surveys that included civic representatives and 

environmental and business advocates. From the surveys they learned what participants 

thought about the supply and use of water in their region, how they anticipated water 

supply and demand would change in the next decade, and what changes they would want 

implemented. 

Scientific Techniques 

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

The HOME (hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, ecology) model, developed and 

verified by the investigators, has predictive capability that can be useful to watershed and 

reef managers in quantifying the link between land-use activities and coral reef health. 

R828011 – Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal 

Watershed – Sanders, B. 

To analyze the fecal indicator bacteria loads in tidal channels and in the surf zone, 

investigators developed 1- and 2-dimensional hydrodynamic models. They also 

successfully used first-principle models to predict FEB in an estuarine setting with 

Appendices 4-14 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

significant non-point sources. Their approach is highly transferable and could be used for 

wetland restoration and water quality compliance efforts (Sander, et al. 2004). 

R828021 - Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at National 

Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches – Farrow, S. 

In assessing the existing National Water and Pollutions Control Assessment Model, the 

researchers determined that there was no easy or cost effective way to incorporate 

uncertainty factors into the decision-making process with the model. They remedied that 

problem with the development of the Reduced Form Model. They also developed a 

modeling approach to determine the unit damages and appropriate trading ratios for 

different water pollution sources. 

R828012 – The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and 

Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems – Palmer, M. 

The research team developed 7 models and multiple regression models that provide 

various types on feedback on land use changes in different scenarios. The new tools and 

methodologies can help regulators and resource managers better assess the impacts of 

land-use changes and help guide them through future growth and development. 

R828021 – Linking Environmental and Social Performance Measurements at National

Watershed Levels: Modeling and Statistical Approaches – Farrow, S. 

These researchers assessed and modified the National Water Pollution Control Assessment 

Model (NWPCAM). Their evaluation revealed numerous issues and potential flaws in the 

water quality model, user interface, and the input databases. The researchers also

developed a new Reduced-Form Model that reduces simulation costs and provides 

managers with capability not available with the NWPCAM. 

R828070 – An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin – Matthews, O. 

The researchers tested and refined a model that simulates potential watershed changes 

related to water policy options. The model integrates components of physical, 

environmental, and human systems. 

Social Science 

R828007 - The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds

– Ambrust, K. 

Researchers conducted homeowner interviews in four neighborhoods to learn beliefs and 

values about lawn care and lawn-care practices. 

R828008 – Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with 

Watershed-based Activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of 

Poor Land-use Practices – Richmond, R. 

The investigators successfully relied upon social science practices to learn community

members’ concerns, to communicate their findings with the community, and to support 

policy changes. 

Appendices 4-15 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R828009 – PULSES – The Importance of Pulsed Physical Events for Watershed Sustainability 

in Coastal Louisiana – Day, J. 

The stakeholder analysis conducted by the researchers revealed that community members 

generally agreed that loss of coastal land is a significant problem; however, there was less 

agreement among stakeholders that diversions are the appropriate solution. 

R828010 – Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, 

Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems –

Lathrop, R.

Researchers examined the social and institutional impediments associated with 

establishing low-impact development practices in new housing areas and in retrofitting 

such practices in existing neighborhoods. They obtained social information through 

interviews with municipal officials, planners, builders, developers, farmers, and new 

residents. 

R828011 – Identification and Control of Non-point Sources of Microbial Pollution in a Coastal 

Watershed – Sanders, B. 

Surveys showed that local businesses consider economics associated with beach pollution 

and cleanup most importantly, whereas beach goers weigh health risks more heavily. 

Stakeholders also disagreed on the severity of the problem. For example, those associated 

with environmental groups viewed health risks associated with beach closures as greater 

than beach-goers viewed them. 

R828070 – An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision-making in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin – Matthews, O. 

Stakeholders from government and environmental and business groups were involved 

throughout the project. They identified specific problems and policies related to water 

allocation in the Middle Rio Grande, identified future-use scenarios, and participated in 

computerized simulations of water allocation decision-making using the model modified in 

this project. 

Urban 

R828007 - The Impact of Lawn Care Practices of Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban Watersheds

– Ambrust, K. 

Investigators assessed the use of lawn-care products by four metropolitan neighborhoods 

and a suburban golf course. They also assessed levels of pesticides, nutrients, metals, and 

insecticides in the streams in these suburban watersheds. 

R828010 – Alternative Urbanization Scenarios for an Agricultural Watershed: Design Criteria, 

Social Constraints, and Effects on Groundwater and Surface Water Systems –

Lathrop, R.

Researchers examined hydrologic and environmental issues related to urbanization of a 

rural area. They developed models that account for runoff and determine the effectiveness 

of infiltration practices at the watershed scale. 

Appendices 4-16 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R828012 – The Spatial Patterning of Land-use Conversion: Linking Economies, Hydrology and 

Ecology to Evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future Growth Scenarios on Stream

Ecosystems – Palmer, M. 

This team evaluated multiple effects of land-use change in two sets of watersheds. One set 

involved older communities outside of Washington, D.C., and the other included two 

more recently urbanized areas where growth remains rapid. 

Appendices 4-17