Numerous studies have been conducted over the years that correlate the degree of imperviousness of a watershed to overall quality of surface waters fed by that same watershed. Three studies completed in the last few years are worth noting:
- Long Island Sound Region Impervious Surfaces Mapping Project - looks at 17 years worth of satellite imagery to predict imperviousness.
- Paving Paradise: Watershed Imperviousness and Peak Streamflow - critically examines 7 different techniques of predicting imperviousness.
- Measuring the Impact of Development on Maine Surface Waters - of particular interest is the methodology for predicting imperviousness using polygons.
