Chained areas are those areas where vegetative cover was removed for the purposes of improving grass cover. Qualitative information also included a relative ranking of main channel erosion, tributary erosion, and an estimate of erosion for the entire watershed. Data collected on anthropogenic features in major watersheds included the density of dirt roads and the number of failed dams. Structures such as earthen dams used for erosion control were examined from aerial photographs to discern if the structures had failed. The failed structures have ceased to retard sediment and because some have failed by headcutting may cause a new cycle of erosion in the watershed.
Agriculture is an important socioeconomic factor to consider.
For example, two major watersheds may have an equal potential for erosion, a watershed used heavily for agriculture may be of more socioeconomic value to rehabilitate. The community was surveyed about its interpretation of the most appropriate watershed for rehabilitation. After all data were collected, the watersheds were ranked on a scale of 1 to 8, with 8 representing the watershed with the potential for the most erosion. The ratings were summed and the highest total value indicated the most appropriate watershed for rehabilitation. The first ranking which assumed all variables to be equally weighted, indicated the main stem Zuni River as the most appropriate major watershed for rehabilitation, followed by Trapped Rock Draw and Rio Nutria.