A Guide to the

Watershed
Protection and
Flood
Prevention
Program

How Your Community

Can Organize a
Watershed Project
 Introduction
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law
83-566) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical
and financial assistance to entities of state and local governments
and tribes (project sponsors) for planning and installing watershed
projects. The USDA agency responsible for program management is
the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Act was passed on August 4, 1954, when Congress recognized

the serious natural resource and economic damages suffered in our
nation’s watersheds from flooding and sedimentation. The Act has
been amended several times to address a broad range of natural
resource and environmental issues. Today this authority can be used to
assist communities to address almost any natural resource issue. The
Act provides assistance to sponsors who develop projects on water-
sheds up to 250,000 acres (391 sq. miles).
This lake in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, is part of the Deer Creek Water-
shed Project. The lake provides flood control, municipal water supplies, public
recreational areas, and fish and wildlife habitat.
T he watershed program is a unique and flexible approach to natural
resources planning and management, focusing on proper land use and
There are over 2,000 watershed projects in the nation with projects the installation of conservation practices. Watershed plans are devel-
in every state providing multiple benefits to local communities. Thou- oped by interdisciplinary teams of technical specialists who assist the
sands of conservation practices, other nonstructural measures, and project sponsors.
11,000 flood control dams have been applied in these watersheds that
provide reduction in flooding; erosion control; water quality protection This pamphlet provides information for potential watershed project
and improvement; recreation, ground water recharge; municipal and sponsors about eligible project objectives and purposes, and the steps
rural water supplies; and wildlife habitat. in applying for USDA assistance and planning.

The program has been tested by time (over 50 years) and the NWC For additional information about the watershed program, go to the
believes it is one of the best resource management tools available for NRCS national web site (www.nrcs.usda.gov) and click on programs.
local communities to solve natural resource problems.

This guide provides information to community leaders who might

be interested in considering a watershed project. Visit our web site for
more information. (www.watershedcoalition.org)
Photos provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
National Watershed Coalition Executive Committee

July 2002
 Watershed Guide 1

Eligible Project Purposes

The Watershed Program can be used to address almost any natural
resource problem. Project objectives include flood prevention, agricul-
tural water management, fish and wildlife habitat development,
public recreation development, groundwater recharge, water quality,
conservation and proper utilization of land, and municipal and
industrial water supply.

Protecting Natural Resources

Watershed projects developed through this program include land
management practices installed by landowners. Regardless of other
project objectives that may be served, every watershed project con-
tains a watershed protection component.

Land and water conservation practices keep raindrops as close to

where they fall as possible. They protect and restore the watershed
and reduce the rate and amount of runoff and erosion. Downstream
flood peaks are reduced, as is the delivery of sediment and other Reducing Damages From Flooding
materials carried by floodwater. Examples of practices would include Flood damage reduction, or flood control as some call it, includes
terraces, stripcropping, waterways, fencing, and water distribution conservation practices that reduce the damages caused by flooding.
systems for livestock. Land conservation practices are the first incre- Where completed watershed projects are in place, damages from
ment of watershed projects. natural disasters are greatly reduced.

A variety of measures are used in watershed projects. Some are

Conservation larger, more complex and often costly practices that require group
practices like action to plan, install, operate and maintain. Structural measures
terraces, water- might include levees, dikes, floodways, floodwater diversions, and
ways, and flood control dams.
stripcropping
are important Other measures can also be used to reduce the impacts of flood-
components of ing. These measures might include proper zoning, enforcing build-
watershed ing codes and other regulatory measures, relocation, flood proofing
project plans.
buildings, land acquisition, and preparing emergency action plans
consisting of flood warning and response systems.
 Watershed Guide 2

Water Management
Agricultural water management consists of measures to increase
or conserve water supplies and improve water quality. Water conser-
vation practices may include sediment control and land stabilization
measures, diversion dams, flumes, canals, water supply reservoirs,
pumping plants, and any other measures that would improve water
management for improved agricultural efficiency.

♦ Water based recreation could be a project objective and federal

cost share assistance may be available to help develop public recre-
ational facilities.

Wetland restoration practices can improve water quality, provide wildlife ♦ Fish and wildlife habitat measures may include water level
habitat and provide groundwater recharge.
control structures, fish ladders, fish shelters, marsh development, and
nesting areas for waterfowl. Restoration of wetlands is an important
feature of the watershed program

Practices like ♦ Water for municipal and industrial uses may be included in
buffers along multipurpose lakes, along with flood damage reduction and other
riparian areas are purposes. Water may also be stored in reservoirs for release when
used in projects
needed to improve downstream water quality.
to protect water
quality.
♦ Groundwater recharge practices may be needed in areas where
there is an identified shortage of groundwater. Practices might include
storage of water in impoundments, diversions, injection wells and
other water spreading techniques.
 Watershed Guide 3

Applying for Program Watershed Planning Assistance

NRCS makes preliminary investigations and confirms the local
Assistance sponsoring organization’s desire to proceed with preparing a water-
shed plan. The NRCS state conservationist then authorizes federal
Project sponsors must be entities of state or local government or a planning assistance for the watershed. The purpose of this prelimi-
tribe. Sponsors submit an application to USDA for assistance The nary investigation is to provide reasonable assurance that a feasible
application must include the following information: plan can be developed.
♦ Size of the watershed.
♦ Location of the watershed. Developing Your Watershed Plan
♦ Description of the problems in the watershed.
NRCS and other federal and state agencies may assist the local
♦ Estimate of damages suffered. organization conduct detailed field studies. These studies further
♦ Possible solutions. define resource problems to be addressed and estimate the project’s
♦ Source of local funds for cost sharing costs and benefits.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can

provide the specific steps and help in submitting the application. Using these studies, NRCS and others may assist in the preparation
of a watershed plan that would include an environmental assessment.
The completed plan would include:
♦ Resource problems to be addressed;
♦ Practices to be installed;
♦ Environmental effects;
♦ Methods of financing.

Public
comment
and input is
solicited
throughout
the
planning
Field Examination process.
Depending on the problems identified in the application, specialists
from NRCS and other federal and state agencies may assist in con-
ducting an analysis of the problems and opportunities of the water-
shed.
 Watershed Guide 4

Authorizing Your Plan

The Chief of NRCS has the authority to approve some plans that
Implementing Your
do not exceed certain statutory limits. Those plans exceeding these
limits will be submitted to Congress for approval.
Watershed Plan
Watershed project sponsors are responsible for working with
Funding Your Plan landowners to get conservation practices applied.
When a watershed plan calls for watershed protection and flood dam-
age reduction:
NRCS and other
agencies and organizations
♦ NRCS provides engineering and construction costs for larger can provide technical
flood control measures such as flood control dams. assistance to install the
practices. NRCS may
♦ Local sponsors provide all land rights and permits. conduct field surveys and
prepare designs and
♦ NRCS provides cost-share funds for needed land conservation specification for practice
installation.
practices for water-quality, and erosion and sediment control.

♦ NRCS provides engineering services and cost-share funds for

construction for irrigation, drainage, public recreation, and Project Agreements
fish and wildlife habitat development.
NRCS and project sponsors enter into an agreement covering each
potential contract for construction.
♦ Other costs, including additional costs for municipal and
industrial water supply, is provided by sponsoring local
organizations. Contracting/Construction/Installation
Project sponsors are responsible for advertising for bids and award-
Funding from NRCS is dependent on available appropriated funds ing contracts for construction unless the sponsors request NRCS to
from Congress. administer the contracts.

Land Rights Operation and Maintenance

Watershed project sponsors are responsible for obtaining all Once the improvements and conservation practices are installed,
necessary land, mineral, and other land rights , easements and per- the project sponsors are responsible for all operations and mainte-
mits needed for implementation of the planned project. nance of installed works.
 Watershed Guide 5

The Watershed Program is Helping

Communities Across the Nation Flood protection for agricultural
Water supply
land and urban areas
Meet Local Resource Needs.

Recreation areas

Fish and wildlife habitat

Conservation practices
Flood Control

Watershed plans are developed to meet the needs of a particular community

and watershed.

Erosion and Sediment

Control National Watershed Coalition
This publication was developed by the National Watershed
Coalition (NWC) in cooperation with the USDA Natural
Water Supply Resources Conservation Service. The NWC is a nonprofit
coalition made up of national, regional, state, and local organizations,
associations, and individuals that advocate the use of watersheds as the
planning and implementation unit when dealing with natural resource
problems and issues. (www.watershedcoalition.org)

Additional information about the watershed program is available at local

USDA NRCS field offices. Check the NRCS web site to find field office
locations in your state. (www.nrcs.usda.gov). Additional information about
the watershed program is available on the web site. Click on programs.
The NWC and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all their programs and
Water Quality activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
Improvement Water Based Recreation orientation or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten
Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and
TDD. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.