PTMApp Far from Home HEI developed the Prioritize, Target, and Measure Application (PTMApp) for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to help users see which best management practices (BMPs) would help them meet their water quality goals. The application shows how well different BMPs treat water in different areas. This allows decision makers to choose the most cost-effective practices for their area, while meeting their water resource goals. PTMApp uses the latest GIS data and can be adapted to any location in the US. That means if you’re working to improve water quality and have GIS data, PTMApp can give you the solutions you need. In fact, our staff provided PTMApp solutions and training in the furthest state from our offices.
Aloha Oʻahu
In 2022, PTMApp caught the attention of the Oʻahu Resource Conservation and Development Council (ORCD). They hired HEI to help run PTMApp on three watersheds and create a pathway for PTMApp to support conservation efforts across the Hawaiian islands. Our team recently met with local stakeholders to reinforce the outcomes provided by PTMApp. So far, the outcomes will support conservation efforts in O’ahu. Our team also taught ORCD staff how to use PTMApp
and its outputs. This will allow them to use PTMApp without a consultant, giving them full ownership of their data and projects. Though the trainings were largely virtual, our team was excited to make the trip out to the island this fall to attend stakeholder meetings. These meetings have provided local producers with insights on how PTMApp data can help them to take care of their land. They also have been used to make sure that adapting PTMApp to Oʻahu aligns with local knowledge and up-to-date science around water quality. With one pilot watershed done, the ORCD is now looking to model two more watersheds on the island.
“For over a decade, Oʻahu ORCD has co-invested with local farmers and landowners to improve water quality and provide essential environmental services for our island community. PTMApp helps us make smarter decisions to prioritize and target our efforts. Drew and HEI staff have seamlessly integrated and been fantastic in supporting our team throughout the process. My only regret is that we didn’t launch this partnership ten years ago!” - Dave Elliott, Executive Director of ORCD
t a l Climate Resiliency Plans That F o HEI has a history of partnering with local communities, counties, and government agencies to proactively form effective climate resiliency plans related to increased runoff. Heavy rains and flooding can be experienced by all, so whether your area of concern is rural, urban, or a mix of anything in between, we’ve got you covered.
Rural: In rural Austin, MN, a region prone to heavy rains and flooding,
HEI partnered with the Cedar River Watershed District (CRWD) to identify 18 potential water storage locations. Future climate hydrology was employed to ensure sustainable solutions, with HEI assisting in funding and community engagement for CRWD’s flow reduction goals.
Rural/Urban: The Rice Creek Watershed District faces escalating flood
risks across its 186 square miles of mixed rural and urban areas. HEI’s comprehensive approach involving modeling, engineering analysis, and community workshops—in collaboration with the Freshwater Society— pinpointed vulnerable sites for flood risk mitigation.
Urban: Urban areas like Moorhead, MN, present unique challenges due
to impervious surfaces, leading to intensified flooding. To strengthen the resiliency of Moorhead, HEI developed a climate change hydrology study, employed InfoSWMM models, and conducted a feasibility study to enhance resiliency. HEI also extended the study beyond the immediate area due to conveyance limitations downstream. houstoneng.com houstoneng.com
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