Resources
Tools, guides and publications for planners, officials, program managers and community groups.
Free tools, standards & guides
In partnership with MidAmerica Watershed.Org, these resources are free for planners, engineers, municipalities, developers and community groups. MidAmerica Watershed.Org maintains and updates them.
GIST — Green Infrastructure Selection Tool
Ranks the green infrastructure practices best suited to a site using 16 site criteria. Successor to our Green Infrastructure Planning Model (GIPM).
Open GIST →OASIS — Open-Space Assessment
Scores an open space across 18 sustainability and connectivity measures in one weighted index. Successor to our Sustainable Urban Green Space Assessment Tool (SUGSAT).
Open OASIS →MW-1 BMP Technical Standard
Draft (v2.0) standard covering design parameters, condition tiers, assessment protocols and declassification for each practice family.
Read MW-1 →Green Infrastructure Strategy Guide
A field guide to combining BMP and Low Impact Development strategies in site-specific design.
Request a copy →Field Survey SOP
A standard procedure for collecting species, habitat and ecological-condition data that feeds OASIS.
Request a copy →BMP cost & upkeep estimator
Estimates installation and maintenance costs for recommended practices. Currently in development.
Primary benefits by type
Most connected green infrastructure delivers several benefits at once. Filled dots show the main benefits of 37 large-scale and connected types. This is a general planning summary; actual results depend on design, siting and maintenance.
Click any type name to see a real-world example photo.
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Free data for site and watershed analysis
The public map and data sources used with GIST and OASIS to size up a site: parcels, terrain, soils, wetlands, environmental context and community conditions.
Regrid
Parcel boundaries, size and ownership
USGS TopoView
Topography, slope and landform
SoilExplorer / Web Soil Survey
Soil type, drainage and hydrologic soil group
USFWS Wetlands Mapper
Streams, wetlands and Waters of the State
EPA EnviroAtlas
Environmental and contamination context
Neighborhood Atlas
Area Deprivation Index and neighborhood health
Walk Score
Walkability of the surrounding area
AirNow
Current local air quality
More free data for watershed analysis
Federal, state and research tools for flood risk, stream mapping, land cover and connectivity. All free to use.
Water & flood
USGS StreamStats (Missouri)
Click a stream to get its watershed area and flood flows from the 2-year to the 500-year storm
Missouri Flood & Drought (MoHIC)
Missouri DNR's live flood, five-day flood forecast, drought and soil-moisture maps, including ungauged streams
NOAA National Water Prediction Service
River forecasts and flood inundation maps on 3.4 million river miles
FEMA Flood Map Viewer (NFHL)
Official regulatory floodplains and flood zones
NOAA Atlas 14 Rainfall Data
Design-storm rainfall depths for any location. Atlas 15, with future-climate estimates, is on the way
NOAA Atlas 15
The next national design-rainfall standard, replacing Atlas 14. Final estimates are expected in 2027; check here for release status
EPA How's My Waterway
Plain-language water quality for any creek, river or lake
Terrain & stream mapping
Land cover, trees & heat
Connectivity, risk & site design
TNC Resilient Land Mapping Tool
Climate-resilient lands and wildlife corridors; check any parcel's connectivity
FEMA RAPT + National Risk Index
100+ hazard, infrastructure and community layers. FEMA's National Risk Index (18 natural hazards, by county and census tract) now lives here
EPA National Stormwater Calculator
Estimate a site's annual runoff and test rain gardens, green roofs and permeable pavement
Water quality, habitat & permitting
Water Quality Portal (USGS & EPA)
The national hub for measured water-quality samples from federal, state, tribal and local agencies
EPA StreamCat
600+ watershed measures for every stream reach, including predicted biological condition and watershed integrity
USFWS IPaC
Check a project area for federally listed species and critical habitat; Missouri has a step-by-step review key
Green Infrastructure Certification
A training series for maintenance crews, designers and plan reviewers, with enrollment opening in stages. Workshops and community sessions are also available, including charrette support, plan-review help and public education.
An Introduction to Successful Green Infrastructure Transition
For planners, officials, and program managers. The book explores green infrastructure's role in urban sustainability, highlighting benefits such as improved air quality, stormwater management, and biodiversity. It addresses implementation challenges and offers solutions, strategies, and techniques for effective integration into urban planning.
It is an introductory reference guide for cities, including program managers, planners, elected officials, and community groups, showing what is essential at each milestone to ensure a successful green infrastructure project and, eventually, an improved systemic strategy.
All proceeds go to SCWA.
MS4 stormwater plans in St. Charles County
Each regulated city and the County holds a Missouri DNR MS4 stormwater permit and publishes a Stormwater Management Plan. Here are the plans and the state permits they follow.
Missouri DNR MS4 permits
Comprehensive MS4 General Permit (MO-R04C000)
The permit most St. Charles County cities use. The 2021–2026 version ran through Sept. 30, 2026; MDNR is renewing it for 2026–2031
2026–2031 Comprehensive Permit – Final Draft
MDNR’s final draft of the renewed comprehensive permit, posted July 13, 2026
Two-Step MS4 General Permit (MO-R040000)
The other Phase II permit option, where MDNR reviews and approves each community’s plan
MDNR MS4 Program
Program overview, the six minimum control measures, annual report forms and guidance
Local Stormwater Management Plans
St. Charles County (unincorporated)
County MS4 permit and 2026–2031 Stormwater Management Plan
City of St. Charles
City stormwater program and MS4 Stormwater Management Plan
City of St. Peters
Stormwater program, MS4 permit and 2026 Stormwater Management Plan
City of O’Fallon
MS4 permit, Stormwater Management Plans and annual reports
City of Wentzville
2026–2031 permit, Stormwater Management Plan and annual reports
City of Lake Saint Louis
2026–2031 MS4 Stormwater Management Plan (PDF)
City of Dardenne Prairie
MS4 permit, current plan and 2026 draft plan
City of Weldon Spring
MS4 permit and 2026–2031 Stormwater Management Plan
Plans are updated on each community’s own site; links open the community’s official page or document. Not every town in the County holds its own MS4 permit; check with your city for local requirements.
See these practices in person: bioswales, rain gardens and basin retrofits on our Explore map →
Manuals & newsletters
MARC Manual 2: Proposed Runoff Reduction & Retention Formula
The proposed MARC manual runoff reduction and site retention formula that SCWA supports.
SCWA Quarterly Newsletters
Local events and our project spotlight on emerging stormwater control technologies.