Forest Service tool spotlights connection between forests and water
Have you ever wondered where exactly your drinking water comes from? To help land managers and the public understand where their water comes from and what affects it, the USDA Forest Service launched an interactive map called Forests to Faucets 2.0. The map shows that forests are a critical link in providing dependable drinking water across the country. “Forests to Faucets is a powerful yet user-friendly tool that reveals the direct link between healthy forests and clean water. It can assist communities and private landowners in determining where best conservation practices are needed to sustain the many benefits clean water provides,” said Eastern Region Deputy Regional Forester Bob Lueckel. The maps depict threats to water sources, including insects and diseases, land use changes, future decrease in water yields, and wildfire potential. “The map shows that we are all watershed managers—it connects our water supply to the landscapes that surround us, in natural and built environments,” said Erika Mack, lead author of the technical report underlying the story map. First launched 10 years ago, this enhanced version of Forests to Faucets adds to the original data—including climate change impacts—and improves the user experience. Researchers and staff from the Forest Service’s Eastern Region, Southern Research Station, and the Washington Office developed the Story Map and supporting technical report.
Read the full news release to learn more about Forests to Faucets 2.0.
F2F has also been covered in CompassLive, and was a National Forest Service Feature Story.
Explore the F2F Story Map.
