WAWMA Use
Using and Understanding Western Watershed Maps
The Western Watershed Cartography Center collects maps relating to watersheds west of the American continental divide from the United States, Mexico and Canada. With more than 10,000 printed and digital maps covering millions of square miles the WAWMA's archive is extremely complex. The complexity is compounded by the diverse map coding schemes used over the more than 150 years covered by our archive. The complexity of our archive is only matched by the diverse legal, environmental and development issues that can be adressed by a complete watershed map archive.
Profesional Reference Services
WAWMA offers two levels of profesional reference services. From 8am to 5pm staff reference librarians are on duty to help patrons locate appropriate map resources. Our reference librarians can aid the users in understanding map cataloging information and aid in navigating our classification system. Our reference librarians can also provide aid in navigating our ArcView GIS database.
WAWMA, in collaboration with Brigham Young University, also provides specialist services to qualified users. Users can meet, by appointment, with subject specialists. The subject specialists can assist researchers with more technical questions concerning the contents of WAWMA's collection. WAWMA is pleased to offer appointments with the following specialists:
If you would like to make a appointment with a librarian please email us.
mailto:[email protected]
WAWMA, in collaboration with Brigham Young University, also provides specialist services to qualified users. Users can meet, by appointment, with subject specialists. The subject specialists can assist researchers with more technical questions concerning the contents of WAWMA's collection. WAWMA is pleased to offer appointments with the following specialists:
- Susan Brighton, Ph.D. - Watershed ecology and biology
- William Halstead J.D. - Water rights in United States and Mexico
- Anna Williams Ph.D. - Geology
- Juliet Clinton Ph.D. - History of Western American water rights.
If you would like to make a appointment with a librarian please email us.
mailto:[email protected]
WAWMA Users
Government
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In accordance with the importance of watersheds to the wellbeing of all persons in western North America many government agencies are tasked with the regulation of these resources. For example, the U.S. Forest Service has released a Watershed Condition Framework to establish a process for improving the health of watersheds on U.S. national forests and grasslands. Other agencies as varied as the U.S. EPA, the USDA and Environment Canada all have responsibility for local watersheds.
WAWMA seeks to provide a broad consistant archive of cartographic and scientific data that is useful to the efficent functioning of these agencies. Experts at these agencies already have significant expertise and resources to draw on. WAWMA can provide a archive of maps beyond their normal areas of concern. A consistant and curated collection of watershed maps and data beyond those maintained by any one agency can provide unique benefits to these agencies. A unified source of cartographic data will allow agencies to co-operate on policy plans more easily. With access to consistant and comprehensive cartographic data agencies can form policy plans consistant with their varied areas of concern as well as in co-operation with other agencies.
WAWMA seeks to provide a broad consistant archive of cartographic and scientific data that is useful to the efficent functioning of these agencies. Experts at these agencies already have significant expertise and resources to draw on. WAWMA can provide a archive of maps beyond their normal areas of concern. A consistant and curated collection of watershed maps and data beyond those maintained by any one agency can provide unique benefits to these agencies. A unified source of cartographic data will allow agencies to co-operate on policy plans more easily. With access to consistant and comprehensive cartographic data agencies can form policy plans consistant with their varied areas of concern as well as in co-operation with other agencies.
Environmental Interest Groups
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There are numerous environmental groups interested in the preservation and health of watersheds. These groups range from international and national groups, such as The Watershed Organisation Trust and The Sierra Club, to regional and local groups such as The Watershed Management Group and The Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum.
Environmental interest groups will find WAWMA useful. These groups often have less access to resources and expertise than government agencies. These groups will find WAWMA's extensive collections relevant to their advocacy and work with particular watersheds. Our collection of geographic and scientific data provides valuable data for the protection of vulnerable watersheds. In particular our expert reference librarians can give critical guidance to organizations seeking to impact local water use policy.
Environmental interest groups will find WAWMA useful. These groups often have less access to resources and expertise than government agencies. These groups will find WAWMA's extensive collections relevant to their advocacy and work with particular watersheds. Our collection of geographic and scientific data provides valuable data for the protection of vulnerable watersheds. In particular our expert reference librarians can give critical guidance to organizations seeking to impact local water use policy.
Businesses
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Water is vital for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses. The business communities responsible for these uses are central to the economy of western North America. They all have a need for up to date and accurate maps of western watersheds.
These groups have varied access to resources. Some larger industries may have created their own watershed map archives. However smaller businesses and developers will lack good access to watershed cartographic information. Historical property maps centering on watersheds are particularly useful to these users. These particular historical maps are vital to accurately assigning proper water rights. Providing uniform and comprehensive access to historical watershed maps will minimize legal disputes over water rights and encourage sustainable legal development of water resources.
These groups have varied access to resources. Some larger industries may have created their own watershed map archives. However smaller businesses and developers will lack good access to watershed cartographic information. Historical property maps centering on watersheds are particularly useful to these users. These particular historical maps are vital to accurately assigning proper water rights. Providing uniform and comprehensive access to historical watershed maps will minimize legal disputes over water rights and encourage sustainable legal development of water resources.
Academics
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Watersheds are a active area of academic study. Organizations such as the Watershed Research Cooperative are active in promoting the understanding of these complex ecosystems. All of the above users depend to a greater or lesser extent on the scholarship generated by academic users. Academic scholars from Law scholars to biologists will find the extensive collection of WAWMA useful.
These users will benefit from both the wide collection and the specialized reference services. As watersheds are important to so many fields of study a single person may not have all the diverse knowledge to understand issues related to their field of study. For example a biologist studying pollution effects of fish may need to understand 19th century mining law's effect on water dumping. Conversely a legal scholar studying the history of water rights might need to understand the effect of water levels on grass species. Our specialized reference librarians are here to assist such researchers in finding information relevant to these concerns.
These users will benefit from both the wide collection and the specialized reference services. As watersheds are important to so many fields of study a single person may not have all the diverse knowledge to understand issues related to their field of study. For example a biologist studying pollution effects of fish may need to understand 19th century mining law's effect on water dumping. Conversely a legal scholar studying the history of water rights might need to understand the effect of water levels on grass species. Our specialized reference librarians are here to assist such researchers in finding information relevant to these concerns.
References
Keates, J. S. Understanding Maps. Harlow, England: Longman, 1996. Print.
"Natural Resources Conservation Service." USDA NRCS. United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/>.
O'Looney, John. Beyond Maps: GIS and Decision Making in Local Government. Redlands, CA: ESRI, 2000. Print.
"Watershed Condition Framework." U.S. Forest Service, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/watershed/>.
"Watershed Funding." United States Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/owow/funding.cfm>.
"Watershed Mapping and Data Sharing for the Next Generation." NOAA 200th Feature Stories:. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/watershed_mapping/>.
"Natural Resources Conservation Service." USDA NRCS. United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/>.
O'Looney, John. Beyond Maps: GIS and Decision Making in Local Government. Redlands, CA: ESRI, 2000. Print.
"Watershed Condition Framework." U.S. Forest Service, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/watershed/>.
"Watershed Funding." United States Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/owow/funding.cfm>.
"Watershed Mapping and Data Sharing for the Next Generation." NOAA 200th Feature Stories:. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/watershed_mapping/>.