Interfacing With Volunteers and Schools to Collect Water Quality Data
APPENDIX B: USING GIS AND THE INTERNET FOR WATERSHED
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
EXHIBIT A: WDBIS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXHIBIT B: WDBIS RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY
EXHIBIT C: BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS FOR WDBIS STRATEGIC PLAN
The purpose of this document is to report on the current status of the KBAC Watershed Mapping Project (WMP), describe the data collected and level of completion to date of each stream mapping effort, and to recommend further steps that might be taken to complete the project including, but not limited to, collecting and documenting water quality data. To a limited extent, an update on the status of the Watershed Data Base and Information System Strategic Plan is also provided because of its relationship to the WMP.
In 1998, the KBAC commissioned a study to develop and establish a comprehensive communication system and network utilizing state-of-the-art computer technology and the Internet: Watershed Data Base and Information System (WDBIS) Strategic Plan. In the same year, the KBAC Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program entered into a partnership with Windward Community College (WCC) to initiate Phase I of the Watershed Mapping Project (WMP) utilizing GIS and GPS technology.
The basic goals of the Watershed Data Base and Information System (WDBIS) Strategic Plan were to collect, store, analyze, and publish data and information that would be used to educate the public on the importance of the protecting the watershed, assess water quality problems, and to substantiate the actions of KBAC.
- To provide storage for data and information collected by the KBAC Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program (VWQMP), and for other data collected by KBAC and its consultants.
- To establish a database of geographic, tabular, image, and other types of data that can be used to produce maps, reports, newsletters, and other informational documents for use by KBAC in assessing and presenting water quality issues.
- To provide access to computing system equipment for use by KBAC members, contractors, students, and volunteers to analyze the various types of water quality data.
- To create an Internet web page for wide-spread public access to an organized data base of water quality information to inform and educate the public; to describe actions being taken by KBAC and other agencies; to permit public comment on local water quality conditions; and to provide a method for data to be distributed.
To achieve these goals, the WDBIS sought to achieve three primary objectives including:
a) Data Collection - The process of collecting information
b) Establish a Computing, Communication, and Data Management System- Create an information system to store, manage, and distribute data
c) Enable Information Retrieval and Use. - Create accessibility to data for use by KBAC, its contractors, educators, students, and the community.
The WDBIS Strategic Plan made the following recommendations to KBAC:
1. Use the Windward Community College for maintaining the WDBIS.
2. Acquire personnel resources to manage, coordinate, and operate the WDBIS.
3. Continue funding GPS and field survey data collection efforts, with greater requirements for activity coordination and documentation of data content, methods, and training.
4. Pursue acquisition of collateral data sources from other governmental and educational data sources.
5. Purchase and install at the WCC the necessary hardware and software to create an Internet compliant compute server and database.
6. Establish a KBAC Internet Web Page.
7. Install Community Computers.
To date, KBAC has acted on the above recommendations in the following manner:
1. An agreement and MOU has been established with WCC to house and maintain a computer network server purchased by KBAC.
2. A partnership between WCC and the VWQMP was established in 1998 to map features and physical characteristics of select streams and water bodies in Ko’olaupoko.
3. KBAC purchased both GIS software and GPS equipment to map, document and store the data collected in the watershed-mapping project above.
4. A KBAC Web Page was produced and launched, though GIS mapping data will not be available via the Internet until additional steps are taken to purchase the appropriate software and hire additional assistance to activate and input the data for public use.
In conjunction with, and as recommended in the WDBIS Strategic Plan (see Exhibits A and Exhibit B), a collaborative partnership between the KBAC Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program (VWQMP) and Windward Community College (WCC) was established utilizing GIS (Geographic Information System) & GPS (Geographic Positioning System) technology to map stream areas in Ko‘olaupoko documenting water quality features for educational and informative purposes. The initial effort focused on mapping and documenting spatial relationships between streams and certain physical characteristics such as adjacent land use, vegetation, and storm drain inlets. To further support this effort, KBAC sponsored the purchase of GIS/GPS equipment and software in conjunction with the purchase and installation of a sophisticated computer system and network server, which is currently housed at WCC’s Hoa‘aina Remote Sensing / Geographic Information System (GIS) Center. The data collected as a result of this effort is also stored at Hoa’aina.
The Global Position System (GPS), utilizes satellites orbiting the earth to act as reference points from which volunteers and community monitors on the ground can determine their respective positions by pinpointing a latitude, longitude, and altitude measurement relative to the ground feature being mapped. An alternative to traditional surveying techniques, GPS technology allows users to upload a user-defined data dictionary into a data logger to collect data representing point, line, and area features. Once collected, GPS data is transferred into a GIS where the data can be displayed, analyzed and manipulated to create maps, surveys and reports.
ArcView GIS is a computerized data management system that allows users to display and analyze their data by creating dynamic maps. KBAC purchased and is currently using Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.’s (ESRI) software called ArcView GIS (Version 3.1). ArcView GIS allows users to visualize data as maps; design simple to sophisticated “what-if” scenarios in the form of database and map queries; display the results of queries in the form of maps, charts, and tables; perform basic statistical analysis and spreadsheet functions; join data from outside sources to existing geographic data; link photos, video, text, and graphics to specific locations; and design and print map, chart, table, and graphic images. GIS also allows for interactive layering of different themes, which can be customized by each user. Consequently a user can analyze relationships between features on any given layer and perform spatial analyses when studying select aspects about watershed quality.
WCC/KBAC Watershed Mapping Project
Initiated in 1998, the basic purpose of the WCC/KBAC Watershed Mapping Project (WMP) was to cultivate a deeper respect and understanding of the watershed areas of Ko’olaupoko watershed area, simply by getting to know it better. [2]
The two main goals of the project were to
- Develop, organize, and coordinate community watershed mapping activities to locate and document features in the Ko‘olaupoko watersheds that pertain to water quality; and
- Ensure pathways for schools and individuals to access the information/data/maps resulting from the mapping efforts as well as related data/maps obtained from other sources.
I. Reconnaissance: look at features, obstacles, hazards, overhead cover (line of sight to satellites is needed for GPS)
II. Water flow (general, not measured), stream bottom characteristics, inlets, dump/litter sites
III. Erosion, adjacent land use
IV. Flow velocity, temperature, vegetation, stream animals (presence/absence)
V. Bioassessment, water quality testing
Volunteers and student interns trained in the use of GIS and GPS assisted in the gathering of data that has been compiled in a GPS data dictionary documenting stream features that have an impact on water quality like stream flow, stream bed configuration, presence of debris and relationship to inlets and the like. To date, Phase I and II mapping efforts have been executed on nine (9) different streams, stream segments and or water features in Ko’olaupoko, including He`eia Stream, Inoa`ole Stream in Waimanalo, Kae`elepulu Pond (Enchanted Lakes), Kaneohe Stream, Kawai Nui Marsh (Kapa`a), Kea`ahala Stream and pond, Omao Stream in Maunawili, Oneawa Canal and Waikalua Loko Fishpond. . (See Appendix A for a complete set of map layouts for all nine projects.)
Below is a sample of the kinds of features, attributes or “themes” included in the GIS data dictionaries. (Table 1)
Table 1. Data Dictionary for Inoa`ole Stream, Phases II/III. ; Ashizawa, D., Draft Watershed Mapping Project Work plan 3/30/99.
|
Feature |
Attribute |
Menu options |
|
Stream |
Streambed |
Natural material, revetment, lined U, lined V, realigned channel, culvert under road, waterfall, other |
|
Flow |
Dry streambed, still water, low flow, moderate flow, high flow |
|
|
Date |
Automatic generation |
|
|
Inlets |
Type |
Storm drain, industrial, field drain, feedlot drain, pond drain, household drain, parking lot drain, tributary, unknown, other |
|
Date |
Automatic generation |
|
|
Debris |
Type |
Household, yard waste, construction, commercial, fast-food/plastic bags, fallen branches/logs, other |
|
Quantity |
Few isolated items, up to 1 lg. garbage bag, > 1 bag, few branches/logs, log jam, other |
|
|
Date |
Automatic generation |
|
|
Auto Batteries |
Quantity |
Numeric input |
|
Date |
Automatic generation |
|
|
Erosion Site (area mapped) |
Slope |
Flat, <30%, 30-60%, >60% |
|
Soil type |
Text |
|
|
Right or Left Land Use (specified) |
Use |
Residential, large lawn, golf course, impervious parking lot, permeable parking lot, light industry, commercial, banana farm, taro lo`i, rice field, nursery, other agriculture, livestock, marsh, unused, other, unknown |
The accompanying figure (Fig.1), demonstrates a map or a GIS view showing the attribute table (bottom of figure) that is linked to the selected Themes (shown as a raised selection on the left column in the view above the table). Source: Ashizawa, D. / Krupp, D.; Using GIS And The Internet For Watershed Education And Outreach, (1999)
Fig. 1
In the interest of providing the Council with better a understanding of the scope of work completed on each project as well as what is left to be accomplished, a subcommittee including the KBAC Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Dr. Dave Krupp of WCC and former VWQMP Volunteer Coordinator, Donna Ashizawa, met to establish a “priority” list of projects and areas of focus for future mapping efforts.
The table below (Table 2) identifies the projects completed to date, their level of completion on a scale of 1 – 5, with 1 being complete and 5 needing additional work, and lastly the areas of work that might be achieved with additional funding and manpower support.
Table 2: Project Completion Level and Need for Future Work
|
Stream/Water Body |
Level of Completion (1 – Complete/5 – Incomplete) |
Need/Focus of future work |
|
He`eia Stream & Fishpond |
4 |
A high priority stream; recommended that central region of the stream be mapped to the pond. There is concern over the difficulty of access stream corridor. |
|
Kea`ahala Stream |
1.5 |
Additional mapping to be done at the lower end of the stream closest to the mouth |
|
Kane`ohe Stream |
3.5 |
Lower segment of the stream appears to be doable; continue mapping up to the dam noting the upper tributaries feeding the stream |
|
Waikalua Loko Fishpond |
3 |
Mapping of lower segments of Kaneohe and Kawa streams which run adjacent to pond area to coincide with DOH TMDL effort |
|
Oneawa Canal |
1 |
Use of offset measurements satisfactory. Possible continued mapping to connect with Ka`elepulu segment |
|
Ka`elepulu Stream and Pond |
3 |
Addition of line segments to map along mapped stream features to measure distribution of features; also continue mapping stream to connect to Oneawa canal segment |
|
Kapa`a Stream/Kawai Nui |
3 |
Add Kapa`a stream starting from upper reaches above AMERON into Kawai Nui |
|
Maunawili / Omao Stream |
4.5 |
Mapping of both Omao, Maunawili and other Maunawili tributaries can be done all the way to Kawai Nui Marsh |
|
Inoa`ole Stream |
3.5 |
Need to locate additional maps of other stream segments in Waimanalo; map other tributaries |
Based on this tool, the greatest amount of work needed to complete and further Phase I and II efforts would be in Maunawili and He`eia, though there is nothing preventing the Council from initiating phase III, IV and V work in any of the other locations.
Preliminary steps have been taken in preparation for Phase III, IV, and V. For instance, the Volunteer Coordinator developed working relationships with both the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAQWA) and the USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to identify, develop and adapt methods and protocols that might be used by volunteers to execute habitat assessments and visual stream assessments respectively. (See Fig. 2 and 3.) Though these efforts did not produce water quality data for any of the streams identified in the KBAC WMP, both NRCS and NAQWA have and continue to collect their own data in Ko’olaupoko, which could be referenced by KBAC and featured, on its web page.
 |
 |
| Fig 2. (Above Left) Terrell Kelley of USDA NRCS leads volunteers, state and local and agency staff through a field trial of the NRCS Visual Stream Assessment, Version 1, at Waiahole Stream. | Fig 3. Staff from the USGS NAQWA program and the State DOH collect data and take measurements in conjunction with a habitat assessment on Manoa stream. |
As stated earlier, while the scope of work completed to date has been primarily Phase I and II work identifying specific stream features, obstacles, hazards and canopy cover, no significant water quality data has been added to date. This effort may be best accomplished as an RFP in conjunction with the higher education component of the VWQMP currently proposed by the Director, which utilizes the participation of staff and students from institutions of higher learning located in Ko`olaupoko like WCC, Hawaii Institute for Marine Biology (HIMB) and Hawaii Pacific University (HPU).
Interfacing With Volunteers and Schools to Collect Water Quality Data
In the interest of building on the GIS data information already collected in Maunawili and Kawai Nui (i.e., Kapa`a project), a collaborative effort to collect water quality data in Maunawili stream and Kawai Nui Marsh was initiated between the KBAC VWQMP, Lanikai Elementary School, the LET Academy and Hawaii Pacific University. This effort included the purchase of and the subsequent training on the LaMotte Smart Spectrophotometer (Smart Spectro). Dr. Andrew Brittain of HPU volunteered his time to instruct and teach select 6th Graders from Lanikai Elementary School how to analyze water samples utilizing the Smart Spectro. The students have been collecting water sample in Maunawili Valley and Kawai Nui Marsh since January 2001 and plan to complete their sampling activities in mid April 2001. (See Fig. 4 and 5) Their preliminary findings can be viewed at their website The Waters of Kawai Nui.
 |
 |
| Fig 4. | Fig. 5 |
In conjunction with their sampling effort, the Lanikai students also received training in the use of the NRCS Stream Visual Assessment by participating in a field trial of the protocol in Maunawili and Omao streams. Consequently, the students have adapted the national protocol and made amendments to the methods to meet their level of understanding. This effort is the first step in producing a user-friendly assessment tool that other volunteers can implement in their watersheds. (See Fig. 6 & 7)
 |
 |
| Fig 6. Terrell Kelly of USGS NRCS explains the ten (10) physical features used to score a stream’s health. | Fig. 7 (Above Right) Lanikai 6th graders measure a stream segment in Omao stream as part of the NRCS Stream Visual Assessment field trial. |
- Completing the mapping projects already begun, utilizing the assessment tool provided above to prioritize that effort. This effort would include the development of metadata that would provide future users with a thorough understanding of what the data means and how it relates to their specific project. Recommended method of acquisition: RFP.
- Initiating phases III – V of the mapping project to include the collection and documentation of water quality data, and expanding mapping efforts to other watershed streams and tributaries. Like above, this would require additional manpower and funding to support the purchase of necessary sampling equipment, chemicals, and wages, stipends and or salaries. Recommended method of acquisition: RFP.
- Purchasing additional computer software and systems to make the data and information accessible to the public via the Internet.
- Upgrade for ArcView GIS 3.2 (Recommended) $ 150.00
- Purchase of Arc IMS Software (Recommended) $5,700.00
- Hiring or contracting services to upgrade and design a web page to interface with the current KBAC Web site and the proposed Arc IMS software to make GIS/GPS data available to the public via the Internet. The current web page does not give access to GIS / GPS data. Recommended action: RFP.
- Acquiring additional manpower support, either in the form of hired consultants or student interns to input data and manage the GIS data and server system at WCC. Utilizing the budget assumptions provided in the WDBIS Strategic Plan (EXHIBIT C), the estimated expenses for this is $43,000.00.
- Continue funding the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program in part or full to accommodate and provide management support for the efforts above. Based on the Final Technical Report submitted to the Council, $150,000 was proposed as a budget for this effort.