---
title: Watershed Assessment — Start Here
description: "A systematic watershed assessment is the foundation of good AMD restoration planning. This subcategory walks through the full assessment process — from background research through field work, discharge identification, data collection, and restoration planning. ## **Recommended Reading Order** | **Article**…"
url: "https://aml-connect.org/aml-knowledge-base/assessing-the-watershed-hub-2/"
updated: "2026-03-24"
category: Watershed Tools and Methods / Assessing the Watershed
---

# Watershed Assessment — Start Here

A systematic watershed assessment is the foundation of good AMD restoration planning. This subcategory walks through the full assessment process — from background research through field work, discharge identification, data collection, and restoration planning.

## **Recommended Reading Order**

| **Article** | **What you'll learn** |
| --- | --- |
| **Background Search** | How to research an AMD-affected watershed before setting foot in the field |
| **Doing It Yourself** | Guidance for community-led assessments — what you can do with volunteer resources |
| **Training the Field Volunteers** | How to prepare volunteer crews for safe and effective field assessment work |
| **Field Assessment Tools** | Equipment and tools needed for AMD watershed field assessments |
| **Field Assessment Procedures** | Step-by-step field procedures for AMD discharge identification and characterization |
| **Collecting Data** | Data collection standards, forms, and protocols for field assessment teams |
| **Establish Sampling Points** | How to select and establish sampling locations for AMD monitoring |
| **Identify Discharges** | Locating and characterizing AMD discharge points in the watershed |
| **Report AMD Discharges** | How to report identified AMD discharges to PA DEP and other agencies |
| **Restoration Planning** | Moving from assessment findings to a prioritized restoration plan |
| **TMDLs — Total Maximum Daily Loads** | What TMDLs are and how they relate to AMD remediation planning and funding eligibility |

## **Related Resources**

- [Loyalhanna Creek Watershed Priority Assessment and Restoration Plan (2021)](https://www.loyalhannawatershed.org/media/attachments/2022/02/16/lcw-priority-assessment-restoration-plan-web.pdf) — example of a complete PA watershed assessment (Resource Library)
- [Blacklick Creek Watershed Assessment/Restoration Plan](https://spcwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Blacklick_Restoration_010105.pdf) — another regional example (Resource Library)
- [Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance](https://www.shamokincreek.org/academic-resources) — Academic Resources Collection — multiple assessment reports (Resource Library)

## **Questions? Ask in the Forums**

Post assessment questions in the Monitoring and Methods forum or Technical Help forum.

| **Source:**AML-Connect / EPCAMR  |  **Last Reviewed:**March 2026  |  **Forum:**/community/forums/monitoring-and-methods/ |
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