Technical Services - Planning and Design Tools

The following collection of design tools and resources are available to assist in the implementation of conservation practices.  If you have or are aware of additional tools and resources that should be shared with the conservation partnership please notify Natalie Woolard.

Agricultural Chemicals

• NC 2012 Agricultural Chemical Manual

Backyard Rain Garden

• Backyard Rain Garden Design Worksheet (Rev. Nov. 2011)

Conservation Planning

• NRCS Framework for Planning (Title 180 Part 600A)
• NRCS Conservation Planning Policy (Title 190 Part 409)
• NRCS 9 Step Planning Process
• Basic Field Information Collection Sheet - Planning Aid developed by NRCS 8/11
• NRCS CPA6 Conservation Planning Notes - Fillable form
• Organizing the Conservation Plan - NRCS Presentation

Conservation Plan Template

• Instructions on Modifying Conservation Plan Template (non-toolkit)
• Conservation Plan Template
• Sample Practice Narratives -Ability to look up practice narratives by county through NRCS website. eAuthorization login required

Engineering Field Tools (EFT) - NRCS

• Survey Engineering Tool (SET)
• Waterway Engineering Tool (WDT)
• Terrace Design Tool (TDT)

Science and Technology Conservation Tools Software - NRCS

This site includes, but is not limited to, the following tool downloads.

• CGraz - A decision making tool for that assist in annual grazing management plans.
• EFH-2 - Engineering Field Handbook - Hydrology
• RUSLE 2 - Predicts sheet and rill erosion from rainfall or water
• WinPond - Tool for the hydrologic and hydraulic design for small earthen ponds
• WinPST - A pesticide environmental risk screening tool
• WinTR55 - Tool for urban hydrology for small watersheds

MicroIrrigation

• MicroIrrigation Design Standard Checklist - To be released soon
• NRCS Microirrigation Design Worksheet (Version March 2011)

NC Agricultural Nutrient Assessment Tool (NCANAT)

• NCANAT Download - Includes Nitrogen Loss Estimation Worksheet (NLEW) and Phosphorus Loss Assessment Tool (PLAT)

Nutrient Management Software

• NC Nutrient Management Download

Pond Design

• Pond Site Assessment Form (Revised September 2012)
• Pond Volume Calculator
• Ponds - Planning Design and Construction (NRCS Agriculture Handbook 590)
• Emergency Action Plan Template - To be released soon

Pond Sediment Removal

• Pond Sediment Removal Plan Template
• Sediment Removal Data Sheet and Volume Calculation Tool

Plan of Action for High Freeboard

• 30 day Plan of Action Template
• 5 day Plan of Action Template

Rainwater Harvesting  Model - NCSU

This site includes an overview of cisterns, a cistern system layout, the computer model to assist in sizing a cistern and training materials.

Sludge Survey

• Sludge Survey Methods for Anaerobic Lagoons - Developed by NC Cooperative Extension Service
• Sludge Volume Calculator

Water Balance

• Water Needs Assessment Tool for NC (Version 8.0)
• Water Needs Assessment Tool for NC Help (Version 8.0)- This is the help file that will also need to be saved.
  • If you have trouble saving the help, download a pdf version here

Weather and Climate Data

• State Climate Office of NC