Havasu Canyon Watershed

Abstract

Excerpt from the introduction: A Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA) is a concise report containing information on natural resource conditions and concerns within a designated watershed. The "rapid" part refers to a relatively short time period to develop the report as compared to a more comprehensive watershed planning effort. The “assessment” part refers to a report containing maps, tables and other information sufficient to give an overview of the watershed including physical characteristics and socioeconomic trends. The assessments involve the collection of readily available quantitative and qualitative information to develop a watershed profile, and sufficient analysis of that information to generate an appraisal of the conservation needs of the watershed. These assessments are conducted by conservation planners, using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Conservation Districts and other local leaders, along with public land management agencies, are involved in the assessment process. An RWA serves as a communication tool between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and partners for prioritizing conservation work in selected watersheds. RWAs serve as a platform for conservation program delivery, provide useful information for development of NRCS and Conservation District business plans, and lay a foundation for future cooperative watershed planning. The Havasu Canyon RWA was requested by the Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD) via a letter to the NRCS State Conservationist. As stated in the letter, the primary purpose of the assessment is to “improve our understanding of the watershed as a whole” and to “identify and prioritize future conservation work.”