**3. Methodology**

The methodology to collect and analyze data for the characterization of the three watersheds was the acquisition of geospatial data and non-geospatial data. Geospatial data were obtained to develop a GIS database through a cyberinfrastructure to recognize the dominated attributes contributing to the watersheds. Therefore, the elaboration of watershed maps facilitated the identification of these attributes. Due to the wide inventory of data, a cyberinfrastructure was used to make data collection more efficient. Then, the elevation data were reconditioned to better represent the drainage areas of the watershed with respect to the terrain of the study area. In addition, NPS and PS pollution data were obtained to fully characterize the watersheds and to determine relative sources of pollution. Non-geospatial data were divided into two sections: water quality and flow data. Water quality was incorporated to determine the relationships between potential sources of pollution with the parameters found in each watershed. Available flow data were used to determine the load concentrations for each water quality parameter.
