AWWA IMTECH51447

The use of geographic information system (GIS) technology as an information management tool for watershed studies is well known in theory, but is often difficult in practice. Conflicts can arise when the theory meets the challenge of physical size in terms of both geographic area and quantities of data. Additionally, obstacles may also be encountered when trying to balance the requirements of multiple personnel from multiple disciplines in multiple places at different times. The purpose of this paper is to present several examples where practice collided with theory and/or other obstacles and the methods used to overcome these problems. These examples were extracted from a recent storm water watershed master plan developed for the Johnson County Public Works Department of Johnson County, Kansas.