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Minnesota Technical References

Stream Corridor Restoration Handbook: Principles, Processes and Practices

This document was developed by an interagency team of professionals, and covers a broad range of topics related to streams and stream corridors. Complete with many colored photographs and diagrams, this authoritative source can be downloaded at www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/stream_restoration/newgra.html. The book can also be ordered from the National Technical Information Service (1-800-553-NTIS) Order number PB 98-502487 (ISBN-0-934213-60-7). Printed versions cost $71 plus $5 shipping and CD ROM versions cost $60 plus $5 shipping. The NTIS web site is www.ntis.gov/products/bestsellers/stream-corridor.asp?loc=4-2-0.


Wetland Hydrology

Drainage equations are used to relate the effect of a drainage system on nearby soils. The four equations taught in the Hydrology Tools for Wetland Determinations Course (NRCS) are described at www.wli.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/web_tool/tools_java.html. The four states of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota have agreed to use the van Schilfgaarde equation for determining the lateral effect of a drain system on wetlands.


SITES Computer Program (Water Resources Site Analysis Computer Program)

The SITES program assists the engineer in the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of dams. The program develops inflow hydrographs and uses the storage-discharge relationships at dam sites to flood route hydrographs through existing or potential reservoirs. This program replaces DAMS2 which was released by NRCS (formerly SCS, Soil Conservation Service) in 1971. The program and users manual can be downloaded from www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ENG/sites.html.


WinTR-20 (Project Formulation - Hydrology)

WinTR-20 is widely known for its ability to accurately predict watershed runoff response. It models a watershed's response to rain and snowmelt events, with and without storage sites and improved channels, and other features users may wish to evaluate. The computer program and manual can be downloaded at http://www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/W2Q/H&H/Tools_Models/tool_mod.html.


WinTR-55 (Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds)

The computer program WinTR-55 is widely recognized for its ability to evaluate runoff from watersheds less than 2000 acres in size. Individual sections of this program calculate runoff curve numbers, time of concentration, peak discharge for a single watershed, peak discharge for a watershed with multiple subareas, and storage needed for a runoff event. The program can be downloaded from this link www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/W2Q/H&H/Tools_Models/tool_mod.htmll, then looking under "Hydrology/Hydraulics".


Minnesota Technical Release 2, Slope Protection for Dams and Lakeshores

This document takes the user step-by-step through the design of protection for a lakeshore or dam face. The current version was published in October 1997.

The following document requires Acrobat Reader.

Slope Protection for Dams and Lakeshores (PDF; 1.6 MB)


Minnesota Technical Release 3, Loose Riprap Protection

The following document requires Acrobat Reader.

Loose Riprap Protection ERRATA (not) Incorporated, SEE SHEET BELOW (PDF; 5.3 MB)
ERRATA Sheet  9/20/1990  (PDF; 47 KB)


Minnesota Hydrology Guide

This document was originally published in 1975. It is a frequently used source for the maps of Minnesota with precipitation and evaporation data.

For viewing and printing those maps, the following document requires Acrobat Reader.

Minnesota Hydrology Guide


HEC-RAS - Water Surface Profile

NRCS is moving away from its original program to determine water surface profiles, WSP2, and moving toward use of the Corps of Engineers' HEC-RAS program developed by the Hydraulic Engineering Center in Davis, CA. The program and manual can be downloaded from the HEC site: www.hec.usace.army.mil


Hydrology Tools for Wetland Determinations EFH 19 - Minnesota Supplement

Hydrology Tools for Wetland Determinations EFH 19 (link to national document)
Hydrology Tools for Wetland Determinations EFH 19 - Minnesota Supplement (link to MN supplement)t) (PDF; 731 KB)

 

FACT SHEET - Lateral Effect

The following fact sheet requires Acrobat Reader.

Lateral Effect Fact Sheet (PDF; 70 KB)
Lateral Effect Worksheet (PDF; 10 KB)


Rainfall Data Spreadsheet

This MS-Excel spreadsheet contains data from the Jordan, Minnesota Station.

This spreadsheet is a sample of the type available for most NOAA weather stations in Minnesota. Contact the local NRCS office to obtain the most recent data. It is updated each winter for the previous growing season.

The following document requires Microsoft Excel.

Rainfall Data Spreadsheet (XLS; 26 KB)


Ponds - Planning, Design, Construction

This document can be downloaded from www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/ah590-ponds.pdf. (PDF) This is a basic description of how to plan and design a pond.


AGNPS

This computer program, Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model - 98, allows one to route water over a watershed looking at water quality concerns. The program was originally developed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Morris, Minnesota. The program is now supported by the ARS Sedimentation Laboratory located in Oxford, Mississippi. This document and program can be downloaded from www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=5199

Last Modified 11/18/2009

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