Summary

Abstract: The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment tool is a GIS-based hydrologic modeling tool that was developed as an extension for ArcView 3X. Using digital data in combination with the automated functionality of AGWA greatly reduces the time required to use these two watershed models. Through a robust and intuitive interface the user selects an outlet from which AGWA delineates and discretizes the watershed using the DEM. The watershed elements are then intersected with soil, land cover, and precipitation (uniform or distributed) data layers to derive the requisite model input parameters. The model is then run, and the results are imported back into AGWA for visual display. Model results that can be displayed in AGWA are shown in the table to the right. This option allows managers to identify problem areas where management activities can be focused, or to anticipate sensitive areas in association with planning efforts. AGWA is designed to evaluate relative change and can only provide qualitative estimates of runoff and erosion. It cannot provide reliable quantitative estimates of runoff and erosion without careful calibration. It is also subject to the assumptions and limitations of its component models, and should always be applied with these in mind. [Summary provided by the USDA.]

Related URL

Link: GET SERVICE > GET SOFTWARE PACKAGE Description: AGWA user registration and download page. Link: GET RELATED SERVICE METADATA (SERF) Description: Soil and Water Assessment Tool. Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION Description: AGWA fact sheet.

Service Citation

Originators: USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Title: Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) Provider: USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center URL: http://tucson.ars.ag.gov/agwa/

Service Keywords

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORIES >HYDROLOGICAL ADVISORIES   [Definition]

DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION >GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS >DESKTOP GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS   [Definition]

MODELS >COMPONENT PROCESS MODELS   [Definition]

MODELS >DIGITAL ELEVATION/DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELS   [Definition]

MODELS >SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MODELS   [Definition]

MODELS >HYDROLOGIC AND TERRESTRIAL WATER CYCLE MODELS   [Definition]

MODELS >LAND SURFACE MODELS   [Definition]

Science Keywords

BIOSPHERE >TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS >WETLANDS   [Definition]

HUMAN DIMENSIONS >ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE/MANAGEMENT >LAND MANAGEMENT   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >DISCHARGE/FLOW   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >DRAINAGE   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >FLOODS   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >HYDROPATTERN   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >LAKES   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >RIVERS/STREAMS   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >RUNOFF   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >TOTAL SURFACE WATER   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >WATER CHANNELS   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >WATER YIELD   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS   [Definition]

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >WETLANDS   [Definition]

LAND SURFACE >EROSION/SEDIMENTATION   [Definition]

LAND SURFACE >LAND USE/LAND COVER >LAND COVER   [Definition]

LAND SURFACE >TOPOGRAPHY >LANDFORMS   [Definition]

LAND SURFACE >TOPOGRAPHY >SURFACE ROUGHNESS   [Definition]

LAND SURFACE >TOPOGRAPHY >TOPOGRAPHIC EFFECTS   [Definition]

AGRICULTURE >SOILS >SOIL EROSION   [Definition]

BIOSPHERE >AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS >WETLANDS

ISO Topic Category

FARMING BIOTA ELEVATION ENVIRONMENT GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION IMAGERY/BASE MAPS/EARTH COVER INLAND WATERS PLANNING CADASTRE

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS   [Information]

FIELD INVESTIGATION   [Information]

Access Constraints

Users must enter e-mail address and affiliation to download software. Registration is optional but preferred.

Use Constraints

To use AGWA, you will need version 3.1 or later of ArcView and version 1.1 of the Spatial Analyst extension. AGWA works with the Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, and XP environments. Please note that AGWA does not have any technical support.

Keywords

GIS

Geographic Information Systems

ArcView

Land Management

Resource Management

Kinematic Runoff and Erosion Model

Soil and Water Assessment Tool

Service Provider

Southwest Watershed Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture Service Provider Personnel Name: SUSAN MORAN Phone: 520-670-6381 ext. 171 Email: smoran at tucson.ars.ag.gov Contact Address: 2000 E. Allen Road City: Tucson Province or State: AZ Postal Code: 85719 Country: USA

Distribution Media

Distribution_Media: Online Fees: No fees

Personnel

TYLER B. STEVENS Role: SERF AUTHOR Phone: (301) 614-6898 Fax: 301-614-5268 Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov Contact Address: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Global Change Master Directory City: Greenbelt Province or State: MD Postal Code: 20771 Country: USA

MARIANO HERNANDEX Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Email: mhernandez at tucson.ars.ag.gov and Contact Address: USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center 2000 East Allen Road City: Tucson Province or State: AZ Postal Code: 85719-1596 Country: USA

DAVID C. GOODRICH Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Email: dgoodrich at tucson.ars.ag.gov Contact Address: USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center 2000 East Allen Road City: Tucson Province or State: AZ Postal Code: 85719-1596 Country: USA

WILLIAM G. KEPNER Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Email: kepner.william at epa.gov Contact Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Sciences Division P.O. Box 93478 City: Las Vegas Province or State: NV Postal Code: 89193-3478 Country: USA

DARIUS J. SEMMENS Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Email: semmens.darius at epa.gov Contact Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Sciences Division P.O. Box 93478 City: Las Vegas Province or State: NV Postal Code: 89193-3478 Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

SERF Creation Date: 2004-10-29 SERF Last Revision Date: 2011-04-13