New, improved: Water quality modeling tool and climate assessment tool

The Environmental Protection Agency has released a new version of its acclaimed watershed management program, making it easier to use and more readily available. "Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources" (BASINS) is a multipurpose system that integrates environmental data, analytical tools, and modeling programs. BASINS will help regions, states, and local agencies develop cost-effective approaches to watershed management and environmental protection...

May 4, 2007

2 min read

WASHINGTON, DC, May 4, 2007 -- The Environmental Protection Agency has released a new version of its acclaimed watershed management program, making it easier to use and more readily available. "Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources" (BASINS) is a multipurpose system that integrates environmental data, analytical tools, and modeling programs. BASINS will help regions, states, and local agencies develop cost-effective approaches to watershed management and environmental protection. BASINS 4.0 is a valuable tool for watershed and water quality-based analyses, including developing total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocations.

BASINS also includes the new Climate Assessment Tool, to help water resource managers address the high sensitivity of waster resources and aquatic ecosystems to changes in climate. The tool allows managers to consider changes in the risk of floods and droughts, river channel stability, water quality, and wildlife habitats due to climate change, while meeting future demands for water and water quality regulations. For example, water resource managers can use the tool to explore the effectiveness of a proposed TMDL implementation plan under different climate change scenarios and explore the importance of climate-related impacts relative to the impacts of other stressors such as land cover change and pollutant discharges.

Unlike earlier releases, BASINS 4.0 runs on non-proprietary, open source, free geographic information system (GIS) software, making the tool universally available to anyone interested in the system. Prior versions required users to purchase costly GIS software to run the BASINS system. Once installed on a personal computer, BASINS 4.0 gives users access to large amounts of point and non-point source data, which they can use to assess or predict flow and water quality for selected streams or entire watersheds.

For more information about BASINS 4.0: www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins

EPA relies on quality science as the basis for sound policy and decision-making. EPA's laboratories and research centers, and EPA's research grantees, are building the scientific foundation needed to support the Agency's mission to safeguard human health and the environment.

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