United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4305)
Washington, DC 20460
EPA-823-F-99-001
February 1999
FACT SHEET
'mmm\J A powerful tool for managing watersheds
BASINS is a
multipurpose
environmental
analysis system for use by
regional, state, and local
agencies in performing
watershed' and water
quality-based studies.
This new software makes
it possible to quickly assess
large amounts of point
source and nonpoint source
data in a format that is
easy to use, easy to
understand. Installed on a
personal computer, BASINS
allows die user to assess
water quality at selected
stream sites or throughout
an entire watershed, It is
an invaluable tool that
integrates environmental
data, analytical tools, and
modeling fwograms to
support development of
cost-effective approaches to
environmental protection.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's water
programs and their counterparts
in states and pollution control
agencies are increasingly
emphasizing watershed- and
water quality-based assessment
and integrated analysis of point
and nonpoint sources. Better
Assessment Science Integrating
point and Nonpoint Sources
(BASINS) is a system developed
to meet the needs of such
agencies. It integrates a
geographic information system
(CIS), national watershed data,
and state-of-the-art environmen-
tal assessment and modeling
tools into one convenient package.
Originally released in September 1996, BASINS
addresses three objectives: (1) to facilitate examina-
tion of environmental information, (2) to provide an
integrated watershed and modeling framework, and
(3) to support analysis of point and nonpoint source
management alternatives. It supports the develop-
ment of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), which
require a wateished-based approach that integrates
both point and nonpoint sources. BASINS can
support the analysis of a number of pollutants at a
variety of scales, using tools that range from simple to
sophisticated.
Overcoming the lack of integration, limited
coordination, and time-intensive execution typical of
more traditional assessment tools, BASINS makes
watershed and water quality studies easier by
bringing key data and analytical components together
"under one roof."
The heart of BASINS is its suite of interrelated
components essential for performing watershed and
water quality analysis. These components are
grouped into five categories: (1) national databases;
(2) assessment tools (TARGET; ASSESS, and Data
Mining) for evaluating water quality and point
source loadings at a variety of scales; (3) utilities
including local data import, land-use and DEM
reclassification, watershed delineation, and manage-
ment of water quality observation data; (4) water-
• shed and water quality models including NPSM
(HSPF), TOXIROUTE, and QUAL2E; and (5) post
processing output tools for interpreting model
results. BASINS' databases and assessment tools are
directly integrated within an Arc View CIS
environment. By using CIS, a user can fully visualize,
explore, and query to bring a watershed to life. The
simulation models run in a Windows environment,
using data input files generated in ArcView.
BASINS Overview
, AsMMmntTooK*
I .TARGET
i .ASSESS
i -Data Mining
Quality IfcxMIng
.NPSM (HSPF)'
.TOXIROUTE
•QUAIZE:
BASINS DATA AND COVERAGES
Spatially Distributed Data
Land use/land cover
Urbanized areas
Populated place locations
River Reach File version 1 (RF1) and RF3 Alpha
Soils (STATSGO)
Elevation contours (DEM)
Major roads
USGS hydroiogic unit boundaries (accounting unit,
cataloging unit)
Drinking water supply sites
Dam sites
EPA regional, state and county boundaries
Federal and Indian Lands
Ecoregions
Environmental Monitoring Data
Water quality monitoring station summaries
Water quality observation data
Bacteria monitoring station summaries
Weather station sites
USGS gaging stations
Rsh consumption advisories
National Sediment Inventory (NSI)
National Sheffish Regster
Clean Water Needs Survey
Point Source Data
Permit Compliance System (PCS) sites
and computed loadings
Industrial Facilities Discharge (IFD) sites
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites
Superfund National Priority List (NPL) sites
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites
Mineral Industry Locations
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.
BASINS ANALYTICAL TOOLS
TARGET is a watershed targeting tool that allows
environmental managers to make a broad-based
evaluation of a watershed's water quality and/or
point source loadings. It operates on a large area
such as a region or a state.
ASSESS operates on a single watershed
(cataloging unit) or a limited set of watersheds and
focuses on the status of specific water quality
stations or discharge facilities and their proximity
to water bodies.
Data Mining dynamically links different data
elements using a combination of tables and maps.
This unique linkage adds significant informational
value to the raw data on water quality and
loadings. Data Mining is a powerful tool that can
assist in the integration and environmental
interpretation ofboth geographic and historical
information simultaneously.
BASINS MODELING SYSTEM
Three models are integrated into BASINS
within an Arc View GIS environment. This allows
the user to assess watershed loadings and receiving
water impacts at various levels of complexity.
ArcView geographic data preparation, selection
routines, and visual output streamline
the use of the models. A post processor
graphically displays model results.
Nonpoint Source Model (NPSM)
estimates land-use-spedfic nonpoint
source loadings for selected pollutants
at a watershed (cataloging unit or user-
defined subwatershed scale). The
model uses landscape data such as
watershed boundaries and land use
distribution to automatically prepare
many of the input data it requires.
NPSM combines a Windows-based
interface with EPA's Hydrologic
Simulation Program-FORTRAN
(HSPF) model and is linked to
ArcView.
BASINS Models
QUAL2E is a one-dimensional, steady-
state water quality and eutrophication
model. It is integrated with ArcView to
extract point source and stream network
data and provides a Windows-based
interface to facilitate parameter value
assignment. It allows fete and transport
modeling for multiple sources and polluants.
TOXIROUTE is a screening-level stream
routing model that performs simple dilution/
decay calculations under mean or low flow
conditions for a stream system within a
given watershed (cataloging unit).
TOXIROUTE integrates with the ArcView
GIS to extract stream networks, as well as
point source loadings computed from the
effluent monitoring data.
Data Utilities streamline the importing of
local data such as land use, stream networks,
and watershed boundaries. Data manage-
ment tools permit reclassification of land use
and DEM data as well as
manipulation of water
quality observation data.
Post Processing. The
BASINS modeling system
includes a post processing
tool to facilitate the evalua-
tion and analysis of model
output. The graphical interface allows the
user to select data sets, parameters, and
location; define output scales; and overlay
multiple graphs and management scenarios.
RELEASE SCHEDULE AND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BASINS 2.0 was released on the internet
in September 1998 and on CD-ROM in
January 1999. EPA plans to update the
system periodically by adding new data layers,
new databases, expanded state coverage, and
enhanced modeling capabilities. EPA
maintains a mailing list to notify users of
system and data updates as they are
developed. Updates are also available
through the Internet.
BASINS Targeting Analysis
Minimum System Requirements
BASINS 2.0
Pentium IBM-compatible PC, 133-MHz; 400
mb hard disk space; 32 mb RAM, CD drive,
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 (except for
QUAL2E); ArcView 3.0a or 3.1.
Obtaining BASINS
BASINS 2.0 is available through the Internet at
www.epa.gov/osVBASINS.
The final version of BASINS 2.0 CD-ROMs is
available free of charge through the National
Service Center for Environmental Publications
(NSCEPI), RO. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH
45242. Tel: (513) 489-8190 or (800) 490-
9198. Fax: (513) 489-8695. The package
includes:
• User's Manual—Better Assessment
Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint
Sources. BASINS Version 2.0.
• Compact disks specific to one of 10
regions of interest within the conterminous
U.S. (Be sure to indicate the EFA region of
your choice in your request.)
For more information on content, availability, and
training, please contact
Exposure Assessment Branch (4305)
Standards and Applied Science Division
Office of Science and Technology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460
Fax (202) 260-9830 orwww.epa.gov/osVBASINS.
Aooy Baffin Tel (202)260-3061
e-mail bartin.andrew@epa.gcv
WilliamTate: Tel (202)260-7052
e-mail tate.wiiiiam@epa.gov
PaulCocca Tel (202)260-8614
e-mail cocca.paul@epa.gov
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