A watershed characterization compiles existing information about a watershed into a cohesive narrative, which can guide community-led watershed planning, ground watershed management decisions, and build interest in and support for watershed work. A watershed characterization may be a standalone product, or it can be the starting, foundational “inventory” of a broader watershed planning project.
The purpose of this watershed characterization guidance document is to share information and process considerations to support the development of locally-led watershed characterizations in the Hudson River watershed.
Watershed Characterization Guidance: Understanding and Sharing Your Watershed’s Story (2026)
This guidance builds on watershed planning frameworks used for watershed planning in New York State. Is not intended to be prescriptive. Rather, it includes resources and advice based on the Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s experience with watershed characterization and planning. The document shares recommendations, guidance, and potential opportunities for groups to consider. It is intended to make more explicit many of the often “hidden” decisions that are required when working on a watershed characterization, providing manageable guidance and templates for watershed groups of different capacities.
Many details for specific watershed characterizations will be informed by specific watershed motivations and goals, and are best determined through active decision-making from the project’s leadership and/or advisory committee. This guidance document is designed to help groups plan for and evaluate many of those decisions.
While many may find it beneficial to read this guidance document in order, each chapter and appendix is designed to stand on its own and can be used in any order. Not all of the content may be relevant for all projects, and those chapters or sections may be skipped altogether. We encourage groups to navigate the sections in the order that best meets their goals. Whether looking for a specific template or tool, or exploring the full guidance, this document is organized to help watershed groups more quickly find advice and resources that can support effective local watershed management.
Full Report: Watershed Characterization Guidance: Understanding and Sharing Your Watershed’s Story (2026)
Appendix A: Watershed Characterization Templates
Appendix B: Sample Watershed Characterization Maps and Layers
Appendix C: GIS Data for Watershed Characterization Maps
Appendix D: Information Checklist for Watershed Characterization Report
Appendix E: Worksheets to Identify Watershed Characterization/Planning Next Steps
Appendix F: Resources to Engage Students in Watershed Characterization Projects
Appendix G: Overview of watershed management plans from three U.S. regions
For more information about the Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s watershed characterization technical assistance and the pilot projects that informed this guidance, see the Watershed Characterization Technical Assistance webpage.
This Project has been funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The opinions, results, findings, and/or interpretations of data contained therein are the responsibility of the Contractor and do not necessarily represent the opinions, interpretations or policy of the State.
