An Overview Using Google Earth, QGIS, and a Word Template to Measure, Calculate and Document the Percent Slope and Distance to Water for the Calculation of Phosphorus Site Index (PSI) and UM-Phosphorus Management Tool (UM-PMT) On a Field by Field Basis Maryland Nutrient Management Advisors are required to evaluate the risk of the movement of phosphorus to water if FIV-P≥150 and additional P is desired by the producer through the application of organic nutrients or commercial fertilizer. This can be done accurately through the use of several computer programs. The results from this procedure are used in RUSLE 2 evaluations and in NuMan. Table 1 provides the names of the programs and their roles: Table 1 Program Google Earth Quantum GIS (QGIS) Word Template Purpose Draw property line and field boundaries for farm map. 1. Measure distance to water. 2. Identify changes in elevation to water with in the field. 3. Measure the distance between elevations within the field. 4. Identify possible areas of surface water. 5. Provide a visual guide of 10 and 35 foot buffers of that surface water. Document calculations and how they were developed. Additional documents will provide the following: An overview of Geospatial Information System Software and QGIS A step by step guide to install QGIS, load files from the hard drive onto your work computer, get to know QGIS interface and menu icons, and load the county GIS base map. An explanation of how to install and use Google Earth to draw a property line and field boundaries for a farm map. Procedure to load farm and field boundaries from Google Earth. Procedure to determine distance to water, calculate an average slope length and percent slope, and document information in template. Procedure to create buffers around non-visible water on fields in QGIS, if needed. Updated: 5/2/16