Watershed Management Techniques for Sustainable Development
1.
2.
3.
4. Watershed management is theWatershed management is the
study of the relevantstudy of the relevant
characteristics ofcharacteristics of
a watershed aimed at thea watershed aimed at the
sustainable distribution of itssustainable distribution of its
resources and the process ofresources and the process of
creating and implementing plans,creating and implementing plans,
programs, and projects to sustainprograms, and projects to sustain
and enhance watershed functionsand enhance watershed functions
that affect the plant, animal,that affect the plant, animal,
and human communities within aand human communities within a
watershed boundary.watershed boundary.
5. Features of a watershed that agenciesFeatures of a watershed that agencies
seek to manage include waterseek to manage include water
supply, watersupply, water
quality, drainage, stormwater runoff, quality, drainage, stormwater runoff,Â
water rights, and the overall planningwater rights, and the overall planning
and utilization ofand utilization of
watersheds. Landowners, landwatersheds. Landowners, land
use agencies, stormwateruse agencies, stormwater
management experts, environmentalmanagement experts, environmental
specialists, water use surveyors andspecialists, water use surveyors and
communities all play an integral partcommunities all play an integral part
in watershed management.in watershed management.
6. Watershed management practices in terms o
purpose
To increase infiltration
To increase water holding capacity
To prevent soil erosion
Method and accomplishment
7. In brief various control measures are:In brief various control measures are:
Vegetative measures (AgronomicalVegetative measures (Agronomical
measures)measures)
Strip croppingStrip cropping
Pasture croppingPasture cropping
Grass land farmingGrass land farming
Wood landsWood lands
Engineering measures (Structural practices)Engineering measures (Structural practices)
Contour bundingContour bunding
contour trenchingcontour trenching
TerracingTerracing
Construction of earthen embankmentConstruction of earthen embankment
Construction of check damsConstruction of check dams
Construction of farm pondsConstruction of farm ponds
Construction of diversionConstruction of diversion
Gully controlling structureGully controlling structure
9. Rainwater harvestingRainwater harvesting
and rechargingand recharging
 Capturing runoff from rooftopsCapturing runoff from rooftops
 Capturing runoff from local catchmentsCapturing runoff from local catchments
 Capturing seasonal floodwaters fromCapturing seasonal floodwaters from
local streamslocal streams
 Conserving water through watershedConserving water through watershed
managementmanagement
14. These techniques canThese techniques can
serve the followingserve the following
purposespurposes:: Provide drinking waterProvide drinking water
 Provide irrigation waterProvide irrigation water
 Increase groundwater rechargeIncrease groundwater recharge
 Reduce storm water discharges, urbanReduce storm water discharges, urban
floods and overloading of sewagefloods and overloading of sewage
treatment plantstreatment plants
 Reduce seawater ingress in coastal areas.Reduce seawater ingress in coastal areas.
15.  A check dam is a small, sometimesA check dam is a small, sometimes
temporary, dam constructed across a swale,temporary, dam constructed across a swale,
drainage ditch, or waterway to counteractdrainage ditch, or waterway to counteract
erosion by reducing water flow velocity.erosion by reducing water flow velocity.