Watershed modeling to inform watershed management
Reducing nonpoint source impacts in the Upper Maumee River will require BMP implementation based on high quality, timely, and relevant watershed-scale information. Working collaboratively with local watershed groups and other conservation partners, we will utilize the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to provide results that can inform stakeholder decision-making. Specific objectives are to:
- Estimate potential water quality improvements at field, watershed and basin scales due to the installation of BMPs.
- Work with watershed groups to include BMP modeling results into their existing watershed management and TMDL implementation plans, to accelerate the achievement of water quality standards and the reduction of nonpoint source pollutant transport to Lake Erie.
Project Team
Purdue University:
- Indrajeet Chaubey, Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Jane Frankenberger, Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Younggu Her, Post-doctoral Research Assistant, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Laura Esman, Water Quality Program Coordinator, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Bernard Engel , Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Venkatesh Merwade, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering
Collaborators:
- Allen County Soil & Water Conservation District
- St. Joseph River Watershed Intiative
- St. Marys River watershed
- Upper Maumee River Partnership
- Natural Resource Conservation Service
- The Nature Conservancy
Approach
The project includes the following tasks:
- Assemble a Steering Committee that will provide guidance and coordination.
- Synthesize the list of BMPs implemented in the watershed as a part of the GLRI and other funded projects.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the BMPs in reducing transport of NPS pollutants at various spatial and temporal scales using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model.
- Quantify the effects of riparian buffers in reducing NPS pollutants in high flood risk areas.
- Present BMP effectiveness results to stakeholders for incorporation into watershed management plans.
- Develop educational materials and organize workshops on BMP selection, effectiveness, targeting strategies to reduce NPS pollutants to Western Lake Erie, and using the results in watershed planning.
