A TIME SERIES WEB MAP AS A WAY OF COMMUNICATING WATER QUALITY AND LAND USE CHANGES IN THE LAS VEGAS WASH AND MUDDY WATERSHEDS IN SOUTHEAST NEVADA, USA

Abstract

Important scientific findings can be underutilized if not communicated effectively. Communication is especially important when human health and environment are at risk as water resource managers must make important decisions based on this information, often requiring public buy in. This paper describes an exploratory analysis of water quality and land use changes in the Las Vegas Wash and Muddy watersheds in Southeast Nevada, USA, and how those results can be effectively communicated to water resource managers and the public with use of a time series web map. Publicly available water quality data was downloaded from the USGS, EPA and regional sources, uploaded to ArcGIS Online, and published as two Web Experience applications, one for each watershed. These web apps are time enabled so that changes in water quality and land use can be visually presented and better appreciated by the map viewer, especially those living within and/or making decisions for either watershed. Results indicate a rise in some pollutants over time as well as differences between the two watersheds.