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PDF Print-Friendly Versions

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.


PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Modules in PDF can be viewed and printed out essentially as pages of text. They are not identical to the interactive modules on-line, but they contain as much as possible of the same graphics and text. The list below indicates which modules are now available in PDF.

Some modules on the list may not be available in PDF. If modules are not available in PDF they are not hot-linked. Modules that are currently being converted to PDF are also not hot-linked but are indicated as being under construction.

Why should you download PDF versions of the modules?

1. If you have a slow Internet connection speed. Many of the modules in Watershed Academy Web consist of many text and graphical image files that can slow down the loading of each web page. Users with slow Internet connection speeds can reduce their web page loading times by

2. If you have limited Internet access. The PDF version of the modules makes it possible for students with limited access to the Internet to use Watershed Academy Web materials. These PDF documents can be downloaded or printed out during a user's limited access time and used later without being online.

3. If you prefer a printed copy for reference. Some users prefer the "paperless" method of online module completion, but others may prefer to print a personal copy for later reference and margin notes. A full set of the printed modules is like a watershed management textbook encompassing the entire scope of Watershed Academy Web.

Viewing PDF

All PDF versions of the modules can be viewed with a plug-in application called Adobe Acrobat Reader. See EPA's PDF page for more information about getting and using the free Acrobat Reader.

PDF Versions

For convenience, file size and number of pages are also indicated next to the PDF version of the module.

*  Asterisks indicate modules that are part of the core modules for the Watershed Management Certificate Program.

Introductory/Overview Modules

     Sustaining Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems (18 pp, 278KB)
*   Ecosystem Services: Benefits to Human Societies (18 pp, 542KB)
     Why Watersheds? (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
     Ohio's Virtual Watershed Tour (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)

Watershed Ecology Modules

*  Introduction to Watershed Ecology (37 pp, 1.8MB)
*  Protecting Instream Flows: How Much Water Does a River Need? (22 pp, 1.2MB)
*  Stream Corridor Structure (34 pp, 8.0MB)
    Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes (14 pp, 968KB)
    Birds: Bellwethers of Watershed Health (24 pp, 1.7MB)
    Wetland Functions and Values (23 pp, 1.3MB)
    Understanding Lake Ecology (57 pp, 871KB)
    The Role of Nearshore Ecosystems as Fish and Shellfish Nurseries (14 pp, 186KB)

Watershed Change Modules

*  The Effect of Climate Change on Water Resources and Programs – Updated module Coming Soon!
    Visit EPA's Climate Change Website for more information
*  Agents of Watershed Change (49 pp, 3.2MB)
    Growth and Water Resources (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
*  Nonpoint Source Pollution with Nitrogen and Phosphorus (14 pp, 472KB)
    Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Weather and the Built Environment (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Invasive Species (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle (17 pp, 878KB)
    Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epidemiology, Global Consequences and Control (22 pp, 349KB)
    Nutrient Pollution of Coastal Rivers, Bays, and Seas (17 pp, 947KB,about PDF)
    Effects of Aquaculture on World Fish Supplies (14 pp, 231KB)

Analysis and Planning Modules

*  Introduction to Watershed Planning (46 pp, 2.5MB)
*  Overview of Watershed Monitoring (33 pp, 4.3MB)
    Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (34 pp, 2.1MB)
    Watershed Ecological Risk Assessment (34 pp, 2.0MB)
    Watershed Modeling (35 pp, 8.9MB)
    Fundamentals of Rosgen Stream Classification System
    (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Training in Use of the National Hydrography GIS Dataset (NHD)
    (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)

Management Practices Modules

*  8 Tools of Watershed Protection in Developing Areas (30 pp, 2.7MB)
*  Agricultural Management Practices for Water Quality Protection (54 pp, 2.7MB)
*  Forestry Best Management Practices in Watersheds (47 pp, 4.9MB)
    Stream Corridor Restoration Tools
    (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Introduction to EPA's Drinking Water Source Protection Programs (119 pp, 4.5MB)
    Restoration: What's Right/wrong With this Picture?
    (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Source Water Protection: Best Management Practices and Other Measures for
    Protecting Drinking Water Supplies (125 pp, 3.6MB)
    Controlling Underground Injection of Wastewater (65 pp, 2.1MB)
    Advanced Drinking Water Technology Workshop
    (Powerpoint Slide Show format; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Managing Transient Non-community Drinking Water Systems
    (Powerpoint Slide Show format; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Applying Ecological Principles to Management of the U.S. National Forests
     (22 pp, 1.1MB)
    Ecological Principles for Managing Land Use (12 pp, 579KB)

Community/Social Context Modules

*  Sustainable Finance Module (75 pp, 1MB)
*  Getting in Step: a Guide to Effective Outreach in Your Watershed (49 pp, 2.4MB)
*  Top Ten Watershed Lessons Learned (85 pp, 11.5MB)
    Water in a Changing World (18 pp, 671KB)
    Statewide Watershed Management Executive Overview (21 pp, 1.6MB)
    Economics of Sustainability (61 pp, 815KB)
    Monitoring Consortiums (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Introduction to Public Water Systems (125 pp, 2.8MB)
    Grade K through 12 Watershed Learning Links
    (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)

Water Law Modules

*  Introduction to the Clean Water Act (90 pp, 4.99MB), Spanish Version (101 pp, 4.8MB)
    Key Concepts of Water Quality Standards (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Key Concepts of Impaired Waters and Developing TMDLs (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Monitoring and Assessment(HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    NPDES Permit Program (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Aquatic Life Criteria (HTML format only; return to Academy Web page to access)
    Introduction to the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 (100 pp, 1.9MB)

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