Skip to main content

Log in links for this page

Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI) Technical Resources

This page offers data resources for the Sustainable Water Management Initiative. Find maps, databases, links, and other tools here.

Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

You skipped the table of contents section.

Introduction

In 2012, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) created the Sustainable Water Management Advisory Committee comprised of a wide range of stakeholders, and supported by staff from the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Working with the Water Management Act Advisory Committee and the Water Resources Commission, the Committee advised EEA and its agencies on the development of a water allocation program that examined solutions to satisfying water needs while recognizing ecological issues such as low streamflow.

On November 29, 2012, EEA released the Sustainable Water Management Initiative: Final Framework (see link below). A precursor to the revision of regulations under the Water Management Act, the framework represents over two years of dedicated research, stakeholder input, and public outreach. On November 14, 2014, revised Water Management Act regulations (310 CMR 36.00) were promulgated.  

Additional Resources

310 CMR 36.00: The Massachusetts Water Management Act Regulations
Sustainable Water Management Initiative

SWMI Interactive GIS Map and WMA Permitting Tool

When viewed, the interactive GIS map will display biological categories, groundwater withdrawal categories, and net groundwater depletion data layers that were developed through the SWMI process for the Massachusetts Water Indicators (MWI) 1400-scale subbasins. See the instructions for "Using the SWMI Interactive GIS Map" below.

Please note that the map currently requires that you have JavaScript enabled and Adobe Flash Player installed (version 10 or higher). These technologies are deprecated in most current browsers. If your browser does not support JavaScript and Flash, please use Internet Explorer to view the map. 

Water Management Act permitting requires that new groundwater sources and/or increases in groundwater withdrawals from existing sources be evaluated for impact to streamflow. The WMA Permitting Tool, in conjunction with the SWMI interactive map, is for use by Public Water Suppliers (PWS), consultants, watershed groups, government agencies and others to evaluate the impact of groundwater withdrawals. There are two versions, one for Microsoft Access 2003 & Access 2007. In order to correctly use this tool, you must download the file to your desktop. To do this, right-mouse click on the file and "save target as...". A window will open so you can target where you would like to save the file.

Key Actions

SWMI Interactive Map 

Additional Resources

Using the SWMI Interactive GIS Map (English, PDF 186.21 KB)
WMA Permitting Access Tool Release 2002-2003 (English, ZIP 6.29 MB)
WMA Permitting Access Tool Release 2010 (English, ZIP 6.29 MB)
Biological Category Statewide Map (English, PDF 4.02 MB)
Groundwater Withdrawal Categories Statewide Map (English, PDF 3.64 MB)
Net Groundwater Depletion Statewide Map (English, PDF 3.28 MB)

U.S. Geological Survey Reports & Data

Data from USGS, MassDEP and MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

During the SWMI process, significant research and data collection went into the development of the science underpinning the SWMI Framework and revised Water Management Act regulations. This data is available for download and includes datasets for streamflow, impervious cover, fish sampling, water use point locations, water use point volumes, and coldwater fisheries data.  The Word document below provides a comprehensive list of these data sources and links to web pages where they can be downloaded, including the location of all relevant GIS data.

Additional Resources

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Coldwater Fish Resources

SWMI Pilot Study Data

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Feedback