RPS User Resources

RPS Overview Flyer

This one-page flyer summarizes basic information about RPS.

• RPS Overview Flyer (pdf) (241.89 KB)

RPS Tool User Guides

These user guides provide detailed, step-by-step instructions for operating the Web RPS Tool and the Excel RPS Tool, including steps for how to set up a screening to compare subwatersheds and view screening results. The RPS Methods page provides additional information to help users understand the screening process.

• Excel RPS Tool User Guide (pdf) (6.17 MB)
• Web RPS Tool User Guide (pdf) (5.27 MB)

RPS Scenario Fact Sheet Series

The RPS Scenario Fact Sheet Series was developed for beginner RPS Tool users who have a basic understanding of RPS concepts but are uncertain about how to begin their own screening. Each fact sheet provides a starting point for a specific screening scenario (e.g., prioritizing watersheds for nutrient management) by briefly describing methods to identify relevant subwatersheds and highlighting example indicator selections. The Web RPS Tool enables users to choose a preset screening scenario with a group of Ecological, Stressor, and Social indicators that correspond to those discussed in the scenario fact sheets.

• Introduction to the RPS Scenario Fact Sheet Series (pdf) (867.17 KB)
• Nutrients Scenario Fact Sheet (pdf) (334.57 KB)
• Watershed Protection Scenario Fact Sheet (pdf) (337.04 KB)
• Community Context Scenario Fact Sheet (pdf) (331.77 KB)

RPS Indicator Reference Sheets

The Indicator Reference Sheets present detailed information on commonly used indicators in the RPS Indicator Database. Each reference sheet summarizes basic indicator information, data processing methods, how the indicator relates to watershed condition, relevance to restoration and protection prospects, and provides references to technical literature.

RPS Map Service Guide

This document describes the RPS Map Service published on the EPA ArcGIS Server. The guide contains instructions for querying the map service to retrieve indicator data and instructions for creating maps of indicator data. The RPS Indicator Database can also be downloaded from the RPS Indicator Data Downloads page.

• RPS Map Service Guide (pdf) (1.54 MB)

Legacy Resources

The resources in this section were developed between 2010 and 2019 and use the previous name of the RPS Tool — the Recovery Potential Screening Tool. Although these resources do not reflect current terminology and tool functionality, they may still be helpful for understanding how to use the RPS Tool and apply results.

Excel RPS Tool Training Videos

This video training series was developed in 2018 and is comprised of short instructional videos that focus on critical elements of the Excel RPS Tool.

The videos can help viewers learn how to operate the Excel RPS Tool, however, viewers should be aware that updates to tool functions and terminology which have been implemented since 2018 will not be reflected in the videos.

The list of RPS training videos available on YouTube appears below. Clicking on a link will exit this EPA website.

• Introducing the RPS Tool
• Basics of RPS Tool Structure
• The Screening Process
• Creating Watershed Subsets in RPS
• The Math Behind RPS Indices
• The SETUP Tab: Creating a Screening Run
• The RESULTS Tab: Viewing Scores in Tables
• Bubble Plots: Viewing Scores as Graphs
• The MAP Tab: Viewing Scores as Maps
• The RPS Embedded Data Table
• Adding Your Own Indicator Data
• Exploring RPS Indicator Statistics
• RPS Base Indicators
• RPS Ecological Indicators
• RPS Stressor Indicators
• RPS Social Indicators
• The Indicator Info Tab
• Customizing RPS Bubble Plots