Extent of available data.
Data Categories:Water
Data Source:MN Dept. of Natural Resources
Update Fequency:Continually
Date Acquired:9/6/2022
Data Available:Yes
Metadata Available:Yes
Tags:watershed health assessment framework, watersheds
This layer depicts the Watershed Health Assessment Framework (WHAF) Perennial Cover Watershed Score at the catchment (minor watershed) scale. It was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Watersheds throughout the state have been evaluated using the WHAF. Multiple indices have been created in five major categories that are important to water quality and watershed health: biology, connectivity, geomorphology, hydrology, and water quality. The Perennial Cover Watershed Score is one of these indices. Development within a watershed generally results in a reduction of perennial cover and changes to the hydrology. The quality of water within a stream or river, and the value it offers ecologically, is a reflection of the varied processes that occur within its watershed. By offering consistent evaluation of all of the major watersheds of the state, the WHAF allows for the relative comparison of different watersheds through more than 20 indices. To fully explore the WHAF and the data that has developed, visit their website at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/whaf/index.html.