Water Quality Fact Sheets

 

Management Practices (click on text to view) may be used to reduce NPS pollution.
Each practice has an NRCS technical guide number. Many of these practices are engineered.  Please consult your NRCS office for assistance in implementing these practices.
    
winter cover cropping in vegetables
winter cover cropping in vegetables

The fact sheets below can assist in filling out a farm plan. Numbered sheets were developed for the Farm Water Quality Planning binder.

 

Introduction to Farm Water Quality Planning - Establishing goals and collecting resources

Farm Water Quality Planning Short Course Objectives fact sheet 1.1 

Identifying Your Farm Water Quality Goals reference sheet 7.1 

Guide to Resource Management Records for Farms reference sheet 7.2 

Legal Descriptions of Property reference sheet 7.3 

Farm Maps reference sheet 7.4 

Developing a Farm Map reference sheet 7.5 

 

Management practices are designed to achieve management goals for nonpoint source pollution

Nonpoint Sources of Pollution in Irrigated Agriculture reference sheet 9.1 

Developing a Nonpoint Source Pollution Evaluation Program reference sheet 9.2 

Practices for Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Irrigated Agriculture fact sheet 3.1  

Self-Evaluation Techniques: Evaluating Water Quality fact sheet 5.2 

 

Managing nonpoint source pollution is a process that requires in-depth knowledge and careful management of resources. Some of the fact sheets below are specific to pollutant and cropping system

Management Practices for Sediment ~

Understanding Soil Erosion in Irrigated Agriculture ANR publication

Vegetative Filter Strips ANR publication

Sediment Management Goals and Management Practices for Orchards and Vineyards fact sheet 3.5 

Sediment Management Goals and Management Practices for Nursery and Floriculture fact sheet 3.9 

Sediment Management Goals and Management Practices for Strawberries fact sheet 3.12 

Orchard Floor Management Practices to Reduce Erosion and Protect Water Quality  ANR publication

Management Practices for Pesticides ~

Pesticide Selection to Reduce Impacts on Water Quality  reference sheet 9.5

Management Practices for Nutrients ~

Nutrient Management Goals and Management Practices for Vegetables fact sheet 3.4 

Nutrient Management in Cool-Season Vegetables reference sheet 9.9 

Nutrient Management Goals and Management Practices for Nursery and Floriculture fact sheet 3.11

Nutrient Management in Nursery and Floriculture reference sheet 9.7

Nutrient Management Goals and Management Practices for Strawberries fact sheet 3.14

Management Practices for Irrigation ~

Irrigation Water Salinity and Crop Production reference sheet 9.10

Measuring Irrigation Flows in a Pipeline ANR publication

Managing Existing Sprinkler Irrigation Systems ANR publication

Tailwater Return Systems ANR publication

Storing Runoff from Winter Rains ANR publication

Understanding your Orchard's Water Requirements ANR publication

Causes and Management of Runoff from Surface Irrigation in Orchards ANR publication

Soil Intake Rates and Application Rates in Sprinkler-irrigated Orchards ANR publication

 

California Water Law. Water quality standards are upheld by several federal, state and local agencies 

Water Pollution Control Legislation reference sheet 8.1 

State and Federal Approach to Control of Nonpoint Sources of Pollution ANR publication

Priority Watersheds reference sheet 8.4 

Ground Water Protection Areas and Wellhead Protection Draft Regulations reference sheet 8.3 

 

Watersheds are complex systems.  Understanding watershed dynamics is essential when preparing for storm events and protecting fish habitat 

Watershed Function reference sheet 10.1 

Watershed Response to Storm Events reference sheet 10.2 

Fish Habitat in Freshwater Streams reference sheet 10.3 

 

Groundwater is a vital resource that can be affected by land management 

 Basic Concepts of Groundwater Hydrology reference sheet 11.1 

 Groundwater Quality and Groundwater Pollution reference sheet 11.2 

 Water Well Design and Construction reference sheet 11.3 

 Groundwater Sampling and Monitoring reference sheet 11.4