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Map depicting locations for 14 watershed projects funded through a $6.2 million appropriation by the 2014 NM State Legislature

Handouts from 09/26/16 Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition meeting showing proposed and future projects

These Rapid Watershed Assessments were assembled by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of NM. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging the development of rapid watershed assessments in order to increase the speed and efficiency generating information to guide conservation implementation, as well as the speed and efficiency of putting it into the hands of local decision makers. Background Information Rapid watershed assessments provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would best address the concerns of landowners, conservation districts, and other community organizations and stakeholders. These assessments help land-owners and local leaders set priorities and determine the best actions to achieve their goals. These assessments are conducted by watershed planning teams traveling through each watershed, meeting with landowners and conservation groups, inventorying agricultural areas, identifying conservation opportunities and current levels of resource management, and estimating impacts of these opportunities on the local priority resource concerns. Benefits of These Activities While these rapid assessments provide less detail and analysis than full-blown studies and plans, they do provide the benefits of NRCS locally-led planning in less time and at a reduced cost. The benefits include: Quick and inexpensive plans for setting priorities and taking action Providing a level of detail that is sufficient for identifying actions that can be taken with no further watershed-level studies or analyses Actions to be taken may require further Federal or State permits or ESA or NEPA analysis but these activities are part of standard requirements for use of best management practices (BMPs) and conservation systems Identifying where further detailed analyses or watershed studies are needed Plans address multiple objectives and concerns of landowners and communities Plans are based on established partnerships at the local and state levels Plans enable landowners and communities to decide on the best mix of NRCS programs that will meet their goals Plans include the full array of conservation program tools (i.e. cost-share practices, easements, technical assistance) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rwa/ These are not final and may be changed and edited in the future. If you have any questions, please call/email Kerri Mich, GIS Specialist, NRCS 505-761-4437 kerri.mich@nm.usda.gov

Map depicting USFS Southwest Region's priority lands and watersheds in NM & AZ

Map depicting priority landscapes for restoration. Developed in 2016 by the NM Forestry Division in concert with the state Forest and Watershed Management Coordinating Group.

Analysis using existing datasets from the Statewide Natural Resources Assessment & Strategy and Response Plans. Developed in 2015 with input from the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Management Coordinating Group.

Map showing SWCDs participating in the Greater Rio Grande Watershed Alliance and the Estancia Basin Watershed Health Restoration and Monitoring project.

Map showing SWCDs participating in the Estanica Basin Watershed Health Restoration and Monitoring project and the Greater Rio Grande Watershed Alliance.

Maps from the NM Statewide Assessment

Lessons and lab exercises were developed that illustrate techniques for delineating watersheds and drainages using topographic maps and digital elevation models. These exercises include techniques for visualizing and summarizing properties of watersheds such as longitudinal profiles, cross section, and land cover. Additional exercises covering the basics of geographic information systems and the use of online and webapps are being developed.