Watershed erosion & sediment-source control

Names and classification

Record type

intervention

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Recorded state

Available, active, proposed or context-dependent

Conservation interventions

Action definition

Reduce sediment delivery from disturbed uplands to streams and reefs

Mechanism of action

Fence/remove ungulates, stabilize roads/slopes, restore vegetation and manage fire/runoff sources

Prerequisites

Source mapping; landowner access; upstream threat control; maintenance

Implementation context

High-erosion subwatersheds draining sensitive streams/estuaries/reefs

Expected outcomes

Lower turbidity/sedimentation and improved freshwater/reef condition

Monitoring design

Erosion area; sediment yield; turbidity; deposition; coral sediment stress

Unintended consequences

Hard engineering can transfer erosion downstream; source control must be prioritized

Implementation limits

Implementation status, cost and efficacy must be tied to a dated place/program record.

Sources and further reading

• https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/kauai/plans/fencing/
• https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/files/2025/03/KWA-Detailed-Mgmt-Plan-2012_reduced-size-3.pdf
• https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/ecosystems/coral-health-and-threats-pacific-islands

Connected Atlas records

• Feral ungulate browsing, rooting & trampling · Threats & Conservation
• Wildfire & invasive grass–fire cycle · Threats & Conservation
• Watershed erosion & sedimentation · Threats & Conservation