In the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, riparian zones have been identified as critical watershed management areas. US Environmental Protection Agency, with input from CVI, has developed a watershed decision tool that evaluates riparian management scenarios via changes in instream habitat quality and aquatic community productivity and stability. This tool incorporates expert knowledge, models of system/biotic response, and supporting data into a single interface for trade-off evaluation and scenario development.

The Hydro Tool simulates stream flow, width, depth, and water temperature. Outputs of the Hydro Tool along with other stream and watershed characteristics are consumed by the Fish Assemblage Predictor and Fish Habitat Suitability Calculator to predict fish assemblage and habitat suitability of each species in the assemblage. The outputs of Hydro Tool, Fish Assemblage Predictor, and Fish Habitat Suitability Calculator along with other stream management data are consumed by BASS to simulate fish community dynamics.

You can test these tools by clicking on the appropriate button below. Please send any comments or questions to johnston.johnm@epa.gov.

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