Web-based DSS for hydrologic impact evaluation of small watershed land use changes

Decision support systems (DSS) have been developed for several areas of watershed and water resource management, but the complexity and focus on specific design tasks of many DSS has limited their applicability. The long-term hydrological impact assessment (L-THIA) web application, a DSS based on an integration of web-based programs, geographic information system (GIS) capabilities, and databases, is intended to support decision makers who need information regarding the hydrologic impacts of water quantity and quality resulting from land use change. Developed by an interdisciplinary team, with input from users, the L-THIA web DSS structure is comprised of a modeling system, a database system and a graphical user interface, and includes special features for users with limited hydrology knowledge. These enhancements assist and guide users in decision-making and increase usersʹ comprehension of the effects of land use changes on water quantity and quality.