11/21/2024 8:33:46 PM	NRM 86 Course Outline as of Fall 2021	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  NRM 86	Title:  WATERSHED RES MGMT
Full Title:  Watershed Resource Management
Last Reviewed:1/25/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	2.00	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	2.00	Lab Scheduled	1.50		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	26.25
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 105.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Introduction to the methods and techniques used in measuring, monitoring, and assessing watershed health in North Coast streams. Topics of study include identification of the specific factors limiting ecoysystem productivity (vegetation, fish, etc.) identification of the critical habitat needs (plants, macroinvertebrates, water quality, etc.)  and  methods for assessing and monitoring watershed resources.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to the methods and techniques used in measuring, monitoring, and assessing watershed health in North Coast streams. Topics of study include identification of the specific factors limiting ecoysystem productivity (vegetation, fish, etc.) identification of the critical habitat needs (plants, macroinvertebrates, water quality, etc.)  and  methods for assessing and monitoring watershed resources.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2002	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Measure, monitor, and assess watershed health in North Coast and other regional streams.

2. Identify and describe specific habitat factors limiting ecosystem productivity.

3. Identify the critical habitat needs and prescribe methods for monitoring and assessing watershed resources.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe habitat inventory procedures.

2. Demonstrate accurate field measurements.

3. Competently operate watershed quality monitoring (turbidity meter, conductivity meter, sechi disk, YSI meter).

4. Organize and assemble accurate watershed survey field notes.

5. Demonstrate accurate field measurements by constructing a stream hydrograph, calculating area and drainage density, and  operating flow meters for minimum and maximum flow calculations for streambank and underwater stream condition reports in preparation for watershed restoration projects.

6. Competently operate equipment including: stadia rods for calculating stream depth slopes, hand levels for slope calculations, flow meters for cross sectional stream evaluation, compass for directional  information and special densiometer for calculation of canopy and cover density.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Watershed Restoration Objectives

    A. Identification of limiting factors

    B. Field surveys of critical fish habitat needs

    C. Identification of land use impacts

    D. Assessment and monitoring scale, timing and cost considerations

II. Preliminary Watershed Assessment

    A. Office equipment, tools, and supplies

    B. Preparation of watershed overview worksheet

    C. Use of maps and aerial photos

    D. Riparian zone and sediment source analysis

    E. Stream hydrograph preparation and analysis

III. Watershed Inventory Methods

    A. Field equipment, tools, and supplies

    B. Determination of morphological stream features

    C. Identification of stream channel type

    D. In-stream habitat assessment

IV. Fish Sampling Methods

    A. Species identification and habitat needs

    B. Tools and supplies

    C. Streambank/underwater observation form

    D. Electrofishing, equipment and techniques

V. Data Summary and Analysis

    A. "Habitat" data software program

    B. Stream condition report

    C. Geographic Information System and stream reach summaries

 

Concepts presented in lecture are applied and practiced in lab.

Assignments:

Lecture Related Assignments:

1. Weekly reading assignments (10-20 pages)

2. One watershed health evaluation group report (10-15 pages)

3. Final exam

 

Lab Related Assignments:

1. Weekly field assignments using field survey equipment

2. Weekly field survey journal and forms

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 40%
Watershed health evaluation group report, field survey journal
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 30 - 50%
Field assignments using field survey equipment
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 30%
Final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual. 3rd ed. Flosi, Gray and Downie, Scott and Hopelain, James. State of California, Department of Fish and Game. 1998 (classic)

Instructor prepared materials

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