3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

In an online setting, this course explores field methods for stream and water quality assessment and illustrates the application of science to policy development for effective watershed management. Topics include the historical background of stream and water quality assessment, stream functions, watershed stressors, field techniques for measuring streamflow, channel geomorphology, water quality, and biological indicators, and application of science to inform policy issues such as water allocation, drinking-water supply, wastewater disposal, fisheries management, recreation management, wildfire impacts, and stream restoration. Online resources will be used to demonstrate concepts and methods, and students will be provided with basic field kits to practice monitoring techniques in the field close to home. By the end of the course, students will be able to: apply field and laboratory methods used to characterize the chemical and physical properties of streams, including morphological, water quality, and hydrological assessments; recommend methods for collection, analysis, presentation, and critical interpretation of environmental information using appropriate statistical and quantitative tools; use a taxonomic key to identify benthic invertebrates; and explain how water quality and watershed assessments integrate into local, state and federal regulatory programs and policies.