Aquatic Intactness, Utah and the Colorado Plateau

This dataset provides an estimate of current aquatic intactness (i.e. condition) based on the extent to which human impacts such as water demand, agriculture, urban development, natural resource extraction, dams, diversions, and alterations have disrupted the hydrology, water quality, and habitat quality of aquatic systems across the state of Utah and the Colorado Plateau. Aquatic intactness values will be high in areas where these impacts are low.This HUC6 (12-Digit NHD Hydrologic Unit Code) resolution dataset was created for the Colorado Plateau REA stepdown analysis using the open-source logic modeling framework Environmental Evaluation Modeling System (EEMS). Spatially-explicit logic modeling hierarchically integrates numerous and diverse datasets into composite layers, quantifying information in a continuous rather than binary fashion. This technique yields accessible decision-support products that state and federal agencies can use to craft scientifically-rigorous management strategies.