@article {Hamlett399, author = {J.M. Hamlett and D.A. Miller and R.L. Day and G.W. Peterson and G.M. Baumer and J. Russo}, title = {Statewide GIS-based ranking of watersheds for agricultural pollution prevention}, volume = {47}, number = {5}, pages = {399--404}, year = {1992}, publisher = {Soil and Water Conservation Society}, abstract = {In efforts to control and reduce agricultural nonpoint pollution, it is important to identify critical contributing source areas. A geographic information system (GIS), combined with a pollutant generation and transport model, can be used to identify and rank critical pollutant source areas on a regional basis. In this study, a GIS-based, statewide screening model was used to rank the agricultural pollution potential of 104 watersheds in Pennsyvania. Cost constraints were an overwhelming factor in determining which data could be used and assumptions that had to he made to simplify the model. The ranking index was composed of four components: a runoff index, a sediment production index, an animal loading index, and a chemical use index. Statewide data used in the ranking are commonly available or can he developed readily for areas within the United States and include waterbed boundaries, land cover, animal density, topography, soils, precipitation, and rainfall-runoff, factors. The ranking allowed identification of critical nonpoint-pollutant contributing watersheds in Pennsylvania and is useful for targeting jurther investigations and control programs. A similar GIs approach could he useful in other state and regional studies}, issn = {0022-4561}, URL = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/47/5/399}, eprint = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/47/5/399.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation} }