Better Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS)
BASINS is atool produced by the EPA. As described on the BASINS website:
BASINS is a multipurpose environmental analysis system designed for use by regional, state, and local agencies in performing watershed and water quality-based studies. This system makes it possible to quickly assess large amounts of point source and non-point source data in a format that is easy to use and understand.
The original version of BASINS runs using ArcView 3.x. The most recent version of BASINS is based on Open Source software. From the BASINS 4.0 Description | Water Quality Tools and Models | US EPA:
The biggest change in BASINS 4.0 is the open source GIS software and the ability to transfer and share GIS standard data shapefile, dbf, and GeoTiff between other licensed GIS software. Also a Windows-based Climate Assessment Tool, for assessing potential impacts of changing climate on stream flows and pollutant loads has been added as a “plug-in” program which interfaces with WinHSPF.
I have used Basins 4.0 and find it pretty interesting. It uses MapWindow. I like the fact that Open Source software is being leveraged by the EPA. For the most part BASINS worked well with 1 minor exception. When I tried to projecting data it crashed. To solve it I left everything in Geographiv coordibates.
Posted by wilsongis 