Sweetwater Creek Watershed Mgmt. Plan 2007 Update--Part 2

CHAPTER 8
Using the data described in the following sections of this chapter, a natural systems evaluation
matrix was developed to provide a comparative tool for measuring the quality and quantity of
existing natural habitats within the watershed. This tool can be used to evaluate the overall
condition of a watershed so that future efforts to protect or restore natural systems can be
prioritized and implemented effectively either as stand-alone projects or in conjunction with flood
and/or water quality improvement activities. An overall score was calculated based on the sum
of scores for each habitat parameter (Table 8-1). Using a scoring technique similar to the water
quality level of service evaluation, the overall natural system evaluation matrix score was based
on the ratio of the total watershed score divided by the maximum possible score. The watershed
was then given a grade based on the following ratios: 1.0 to 0.8 = A, 0.79 to 0.6 = B, 0.59 to 0.4
= C, 0.39 to 0.20 = D,