Resource Inventory and Assessment

Developing a "resource inventory and assessment " involves compiling data on aquatic and terrestrial resources and collecting any new information needed to establish baseline conditions and for identifying watershed or resource potential. Knowing existing and potential conditions is necessary to set realistic resource management goals. For example, identifying percent impervious surface area in a (sub)watershed is helpful in determining existing and potential impacts from various land use change scenarios. This information in turn can help identify recommendations for landscape activities to reduce stormwater, hydrological modifications -- or relatedly -- sites where erosion is likely to occur.

Plans should outline baseline conditions from existing data and identify any necessary recommendations for additional assessment data including ambient water chemistry, habitat, and biological conditions for lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater. A watershed's aquatic systems should also be analyzed within the context of the terrestrial resources in which they interact (forests, prairies, etc.), land use, soils. Data on cultural, social and economic influences may highlight pressures or opportunities for partnerships.

Resource inventories usually include items below. Click here for further information on 'assessments'.

• physical characteristics;
• current and historical water quality;
• analysis of current and historical uses;
• current and attainable fish and aquatic life uses;
• shoreland, upland vegetation;
• fish communities, species, and management actions;
• wildlife populations;
• endangered or threatened species;
• aquatic invasive species presence;
• cultural, social and ecological pressures

The WDNR’s Surface Water Data Viewer (SWDV) displays data from the state's monitoring and assessment databases and can be used for watershed planning at local, regional or state level plans.

See also DNR's Where You Live Pages.