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12/1/2022

Integrated Watershed management (IWM):


Integrated Watershed Management is a continuous and adaptive
process of managing human activities in an ecosystem, within a
defined watershed.
Also, IWM is the study of the relevant characteristics of a
watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and
the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and
projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the
plant, animal, and human communities within the watershed
boundary.

Integrated Watershed management (IWM):


In other words, IWM is the process of managing human activities and
natural resources on a watershed basis , taking into account social,
economic and environmental issues, as well as local community
interests and issues such as the impacts of urban growth and climate
change.

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Components of Watershed Management

Watershed Management Aspects:

 Hydrological Aspects.
 Environmental Aspects.
 Socio-Economic Aspects.
 Financial Aspects.
 Administrative Aspects.

IWM key issues:

Water quality and quantity;


Flood and erosion management;
Resilient biodiversity and habitats;
Sustainable economic and recreation opportunities;
Improved quality of life and neighbourhood desirability; and
The ability of the watershed to adapt to stressors such as climate change
and urban growth.

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IWMP Process:
This plan identifies the agencies and stakeholders that will need to work
collaboratively to implement the recommended strategies. Once implemented,
the strategies will need to be monitored, reported on, and updated to adapt to
changing land use, new or increasing stressors, new information and/or
different management approaches. This adaptive management approach will
allow this IWMP to be a living document that can be revisited and updated to
reflect the changing needs of the watershed.

Adaptive Approach to Watershed Management:

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Principles of Integrated Watershed Management


1. Geographical Scale.
2. Ecosystem Approach.
3. Adaptive Management.
4. Integrated Approach.
5. Cumulative Impacts.
6. Precautionary Principle and No Regrets Actions.
7. Proactive Approach.
8. Shared Responsibility.
9. Engaging Communities and Aboriginal Peoples.
10. Sustainable Development.
11. Natural Capital.

Principles of Integrated Watershed Management


1. Geographical Scale: The watershed should be the planning boundary for
integrated watershed management, and should be at an appropriate scale
to address the issues under consideration in a way that recognises its
connectedness to upstream and downstream watersheds.
2. Ecosystem Approach: An interconnected process should be considered that
uses best available knowledge, considers cumulative impacts, and promotes
watershed and sub watershed approaches.
3. Adaptive Management: Flexible and continuous improvement and
adaptation of approaches, policies and management should be undertaken
by incorporating new knowledge and innovative design, practices and
technology.
4. Integrated Approach: Land, water and infrastructure planning, investment
and management should consider the direct, indirect or potential impacts
and their interdependencies.

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Principles of Integrated Watershed Management


5. Cumulative Impacts: IWM planning should consider cumulative effects on
the environment and the interdependency of air, land, water and living
organisms.
6. Precautionary Principle and No Regrets Actions: Caution should be
exercised to protect the environment when there is uncertainty about
environmental risks.
7. Proactive Approach: Environmental degradation should be prevented. It is
better for the environment and more cost-effective to prevent degradation
of the environment than to clean it up after the fact.
8. Shared Responsibility: The responsibility for policy and program
development and implementation should be shared within the mandate of
all actors at the appropriate scale.

Principles of Integrated Watershed Management


9. Engaging Communities and Aboriginal Peoples: IWM processes should
recognize and duly support the identity, culture and interests of local
communities and Aboriginal peoples. IWM processes should enable
meaningful participation by local communities and Aboriginal peoples who
have a vital role in IWM because of their knowledge and traditional
practices.
10. Sustainable Development: The right to development should be fulfilled to
equitably meet economic and societal needs while not compromising the
environment for present and future generations.
11. Natural Capital: Natural capital should be protected and managed to
reduce short- and long-term negative financial impacts. Natural systems
provide goods and services of environmental, economic, social, cultural
and spiritual value.

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Practices of IWM:

 Water balance.
 Water harvesting.
 Flood control.
 Erosion and sedimentation.
 Recharging of Groundwater.
 Climatic change.
 Early warning system.
 And others….

Technologies and tools for management of watersheds:

 Remote Sensing (RS).


 Geographical Information System (GIS).
 Global Position System (GPS).
 Internet.
 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Models.

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Conceptual model for developing an integrated watershed management plan:

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