Healthy Watersheds Projects in Region 7
Serving IA, KS, MO, and NE
- Region-wide Projects
- State-specific Projects:
The following links exit the site Exit
Region-wide Projects
The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) coordinates among various programs and organizations to create a cross-boundary commitment to protecting aquatic resources in the southeastern United States. SARP is a partnership of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
Southern Instream Flow Network The Southern Instream Flow Network was created by the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership to facilitate development of protective instream flow policies among partners based in 15 southeastern US states. This is achieved by providing science-based resources, including developing regional flow-ecology relationships, hydrologic classification of streams and rivers, compilation of baseline information on hydrologic and ecologic conditions, assessment of flow alteration and implementation of flow conservation actions in high priority areas.
Conservation Priorities for Freshwater Biodiversity in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (PDF) This study investigated biodiversity within the Mississippi River Basin and identified conservation opportunities to protect key resources and habitat areas.
Iowa Projects
Iowa Gap Analysis Project -- 2005 Final Report (PDF) The goal of the Aquatic GAP Analysis Program is to keep common species common by identifying those species and communities that are not adequately represented in existing conservation areas or management plan. The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is sponsored by the Biological Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Iowa Gap Analysis Project (IA GAP) began in 1997 to identify areas in the state where vertebrate species richness lacked adequate protection under existing land ownership and management regimes.
Kansas Projects
Kansas Reference Streams (PDF) (73 pp, 4.1 MB) Kansas' Department of Health and Environment conducted an assessment to identify reference or high quality streams throughout the state to assist in establishing baseline ecological conditions, developing water quality criteria and identifying impaired waterbodies. Statistical methods were used to create landscape disturbance indices that relate to stream taxonomic richness and can be used to predict the locations of high quality streams throughout the state.
Kansas Aquatic Gap Project The goal of the Aquatic GAP Analysis Program is to keep common species common by identifying those species and communities that are not adequately represented in existing conservation areas or management plan. The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is sponsored by the Biological Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The mission of the Kansas Aquatic Gap Project is to map aquatic biodiversity in Kansas and link it to habitat characteristics.
Kansas Heritage Streams: Identification and Protection of Healthy Watersheds (PDF) (2013) (163 pp, 6.4MB) This report outlines the approach used by Kansas state agencies to characterize the landscape features, biological, surface water chemistry, and streamflow conditions for six heritage streams. It includes the results of the assessment, and a discussion of measures to protect and maintain the physical, chemical and biological condition of these exceptional waters.
Missouri Projects
Missouri Aquatic Gap Project The goal of the Aquatic GAP Analysis Program is to keep common species common by identifying those species and communities that are not adequately represented in existing conservation areas or management plan. The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is sponsored by the Biological Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The goal of the Missouri Aquatic GAP Project was to identify riverine ecosystems, habitats and species not adequately represented within existing conservation lands.
Lower Meramec River Source Water Protection Project (PDF) (15 pp, 923 KB) To demonstrate how forest conservation and management can protect drinking water quality, the Trust for Public Land and the U.S. Forest Service partnered with the Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and the Meramec River Tributary Alliance to prioritize areas throughout the watershed where restoration, conservation and wastewater best management practices would provide the greatest water quality benefits.