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Buman - Conservation Planning Tools

Jose A. Hernandez
Jose A. Hernandez

This document describes the development of an online tool called Pond Builder to help conservation planners design farm ponds. It was created through a grant to simplify the pond design process. The tool allows users to draw the pond area, watershed, and flowlines on aerial maps, calculate costs and pond sizes, and generate reports for landowners. Testers found it to be 85-90% accurate compared to manual designs and it saves significant time for planning. Future enhancements may include additional conservation practice design tools.

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Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Pond Builder: An Advanced Conservation Planning Tools Tom Buman Agren, Inc. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Nine Step Planning Process Step #5: Formulate Alternatives Landowners need timely/accurate options Conservationists need automated tools that provide fast accurate alternatives. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Nine Step Planning Process Step #4: Analyze Resource Data Soil Maps Aerial Photography Elevation & Contour Maps LiDAR Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
LiDAR Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
The Beginning Funding NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant in 2006 IDNR providing required match Application jointly submitted by Agren & Iowa DNR Iowa DNR provide match funding Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Project Overview Deliverables: 3 Tools Ponds Water & Sediment Control Basin Runoff Curve Number Three year timeline Yr 1 determine priority practices, define user requirements, and develop flow sheets. Yr 2 program development and testing Yr 3 pilot & evaluate decision tools Program Availability Free to all conservationists working in Iowa Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Stakeholder Meeting October 2006 16 Iowa participants (all potential end users) NRCS, SWCD, DSC, IDNR, NSTL Conservation planners Watershed specialists Soil conservation technicians GIS specialists Determine priority practices, develop user requirements & set end user evaluation criteria Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
End User Evaluation Accuracy of cost estimate Within 15% of the final design cost estimate Accuracy of plan/layout Never violate major design rules Time savings amount of time currently required Training requirements 1 to 2 hour training session/minimal Acceptance & use of tool High degree of use Overall customer satisfaction 95% of user find increased value in planning Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
First page after opening the website. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Use legal description or zoom in tool to pick area of interest. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
User zoomed into T-74-N, R-9-W, and section 23. The contour, terrain, and ortho layers only display on area this size or smaller. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Contour and Terrain layer turned on. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Zoomed in view shows hill shade and 2 foot contours. Light colored areas ridges and dark colored areas gullies. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Draw Dam Draw dam line longer than you think you need. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Draw Watershed If the watershed is incorrect then click on clear watershed button and redraw watershed. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Draw Flow Line: This line should represent the longest path from the edge of the watershed to the dam. The clear flowline button will clear all flowlines. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Cut Watershed: This tool is used to cut the watershed into land cover types which will be used to determine the runoff curve number. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Cut Watershed: Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Assign Land Cover Description: The land cover description will be used for calculating the runoff curve number. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
User can change default values as long as they meet minimum pond requirements. The default erosion rate is 5 tons/acre/year. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
User changed Erosion rate. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Table of Results This table contains over 300 possible ponds. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Table of Results The cost values circled in red can be changed by the user, otherwise county values are used. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Table of Results The pond size column heading was clicked on and sorted from least to greatest. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Table of Results The pond size column heading was clicked on and re-sorted from greatest to least. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Only Least-Expensive Ponds By clicking on this the least expensive pond for each 0.5 ft increment is selected. (<45 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Sort by Pond Area This sorted out all ponds that had a surface area between 4 and 7 acres. (< 90 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Only Least-Expensive Ponds Clicking on least expensive pond box, the least expensive ponds between 4-7 surface acres are listed. (10 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
View Pond The permanent pool is shaded blue and the temporary pool is shaded red. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
View Pond The permanent pool is shaded blue and the temporary pool is shaded red. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Report The map will show up on the report as it looks in your browser right now. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Report Fill in the information and select the reports that will be included in the final report. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Save Report This report will be saved in a single PDF file to a local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Print Report The printed copy will contain a Landowner report and Planner report. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
GIS Data Function This function saves a ArcGIS layer and a personal geodatabase which can be downloaded into ArcGIS and from there to AutoCAD. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Save Session This process saves the dam, watershed, flowline, and runoff curve information. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Save Session The program is saved to a local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Load Session Load a previously saved session from local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Load Session Load a previously saved session from local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Load Session After file is loaded the user will have to click on the create pond button. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Benefits Accuracy Program is about 85 to 90% accurate as compared to final designs Cost, yardage, acre feet, etc. Time savings Cost estimate in 10 to 15 minutes Results can be saved and changed later Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Benefits Usability Choice from different pond sizes and costs Reports can be saved electronically Pond plan exported to AutoCAD program GIS data can be exported into a GPS unit for staking planned centerline and water level. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Testimonial State Technician/Mt. Ayr F.O. Slick, fast, and simple Since January 29th done 25 estimates Takes 5 to 6 minutes/pond Checked against Hydro-Yardage design Within 4 % on yardage Makes C/S estimates Admits staying away from computers Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
Where To From Here? Practices & programs under development Water & Sediment Control Basins Runoff Curve Number Automated RUSLE2 program Future plans include: Wetlands Waterways Terraces Contour strip cropping/Contour buffer strips Contouring Buffer strips Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
For more information, contact: Tom Buman, President tom@agreninc.com 712.792.6248息 2008 Copyright Agren, Inc.

More Related Content

Buman - Conservation Planning Tools

  • 2. Pond Builder: An Advanced Conservation Planning Tools Tom Buman Agren, Inc. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 3. Nine Step Planning Process Step #5: Formulate Alternatives Landowners need timely/accurate options Conservationists need automated tools that provide fast accurate alternatives. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 4. Nine Step Planning Process Step #4: Analyze Resource Data Soil Maps Aerial Photography Elevation & Contour Maps LiDAR Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 5. LiDAR Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 6. The Beginning Funding NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant in 2006 IDNR providing required match Application jointly submitted by Agren & Iowa DNR Iowa DNR provide match funding Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 7. Project Overview Deliverables: 3 Tools Ponds Water & Sediment Control Basin Runoff Curve Number Three year timeline Yr 1 determine priority practices, define user requirements, and develop flow sheets. Yr 2 program development and testing Yr 3 pilot & evaluate decision tools Program Availability Free to all conservationists working in Iowa Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 8. Stakeholder Meeting October 2006 16 Iowa participants (all potential end users) NRCS, SWCD, DSC, IDNR, NSTL Conservation planners Watershed specialists Soil conservation technicians GIS specialists Determine priority practices, develop user requirements & set end user evaluation criteria Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 9. End User Evaluation Accuracy of cost estimate Within 15% of the final design cost estimate Accuracy of plan/layout Never violate major design rules Time savings amount of time currently required Training requirements 1 to 2 hour training session/minimal Acceptance & use of tool High degree of use Overall customer satisfaction 95% of user find increased value in planning Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 10. First page after opening the website. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 11. Use legal description or zoom in tool to pick area of interest. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 12. User zoomed into T-74-N, R-9-W, and section 23. The contour, terrain, and ortho layers only display on area this size or smaller. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 13. Contour and Terrain layer turned on. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 14. Zoomed in view shows hill shade and 2 foot contours. Light colored areas ridges and dark colored areas gullies. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 15. Draw Dam Draw dam line longer than you think you need. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 16. Draw Watershed If the watershed is incorrect then click on clear watershed button and redraw watershed. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 17. Draw Flow Line: This line should represent the longest path from the edge of the watershed to the dam. The clear flowline button will clear all flowlines. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 18. Cut Watershed: This tool is used to cut the watershed into land cover types which will be used to determine the runoff curve number. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 19. Cut Watershed: Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 20. Assign Land Cover Description: The land cover description will be used for calculating the runoff curve number. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 21. User can change default values as long as they meet minimum pond requirements. The default erosion rate is 5 tons/acre/year. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 22. User changed Erosion rate. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 23. Table of Results This table contains over 300 possible ponds. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 24. Table of Results The cost values circled in red can be changed by the user, otherwise county values are used. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 25. Table of Results The pond size column heading was clicked on and sorted from least to greatest. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 26. Table of Results The pond size column heading was clicked on and re-sorted from greatest to least. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 27. Only Least-Expensive Ponds By clicking on this the least expensive pond for each 0.5 ft increment is selected. (<45 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 28. Sort by Pond Area This sorted out all ponds that had a surface area between 4 and 7 acres. (< 90 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 29. Only Least-Expensive Ponds Clicking on least expensive pond box, the least expensive ponds between 4-7 surface acres are listed. (10 choices) Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 30. View Pond The permanent pool is shaded blue and the temporary pool is shaded red. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 31. View Pond The permanent pool is shaded blue and the temporary pool is shaded red. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 32. Report The map will show up on the report as it looks in your browser right now. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 33. Report Fill in the information and select the reports that will be included in the final report. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 34. Save Report This report will be saved in a single PDF file to a local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 35. Print Report The printed copy will contain a Landowner report and Planner report. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 36. GIS Data Function This function saves a ArcGIS layer and a personal geodatabase which can be downloaded into ArcGIS and from there to AutoCAD. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 37. Save Session This process saves the dam, watershed, flowline, and runoff curve information. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 38. Save Session The program is saved to a local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 39. Load Session Load a previously saved session from local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 40. Load Session Load a previously saved session from local hard drive. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 41. Load Session After file is loaded the user will have to click on the create pond button. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 42. Benefits Accuracy Program is about 85 to 90% accurate as compared to final designs Cost, yardage, acre feet, etc. Time savings Cost estimate in 10 to 15 minutes Results can be saved and changed later Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 43. Benefits Usability Choice from different pond sizes and costs Reports can be saved electronically Pond plan exported to AutoCAD program GIS data can be exported into a GPS unit for staking planned centerline and water level. Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 44. Testimonial State Technician/Mt. Ayr F.O. Slick, fast, and simple Since January 29th done 25 estimates Takes 5 to 6 minutes/pond Checked against Hydro-Yardage design Within 4 % on yardage Makes C/S estimates Admits staying away from computers Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 45. Where To From Here? Practices & programs under development Water & Sediment Control Basins Runoff Curve Number Automated RUSLE2 program Future plans include: Wetlands Waterways Terraces Contour strip cropping/Contour buffer strips Contouring Buffer strips Copyright Agren, Inc. 息 2008
  • 46. For more information, contact: Tom Buman, President tom@agreninc.com 712.792.6248息 2008 Copyright Agren, Inc.