Upper Colorado Region Comprehensive Framework Study: Appendix VIII, Watershed Management

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PART I INTRODUCTION Purpose of Watershed Management Watershed management science seeks to maintain and improve the productivity and environmental stability of the land base. Watershed management is not a single operation; it is made up of large and seemingly small activities and through the combined effort in all activities the main purpose is attained. Because in one way or another, all land use activities affect some phase of water use, behavior, and quality, water- shed managers must be concerned with all activities in a drainage basin. Natural laws tend to maintain a balance in nature in the absence of man's activities. This balance often does not have a favorable level of economic output measured in terms of man's needs. In order to produce the goods and services required in an expanding economy, it is necessary to alter the natural balance. It is not possible to induce changes in this balance for any length of time without upsetting it and inducing unwanted economic consequences. If the balance is to be maintained and the production of goods and services raised, the demands upon the resource base must be offset by investments in measures designed to maintain a balance or state of harmony at the new level. This is the task of watershed management. Interspersed aspen and conifer protect erodible soils