Water Resources Management Using Coupled Models in Alberta and the U.S.
Authors: Andrew Parker, Sen Bai, and John Riverson
Modelling is an effective tool for supporting water resources management. A wide range of models have been developed and applied in the public and private realms to evaluate surface hydrology, groundwater, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and water quality. Models are generally designed to focus on a limited aspect of the built or natural environment; however they are frequently coupled to support water management and planning. Indeed, linked models take full advantage of models’ individual strengths and avoid oversimplification.
Different models are coupled depending on the primary objectives of a study. Watershed and receiving water models are commonly coupled to support Cumulative Effects, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), and comprehensive watershed management studies. These studies take advantage of the strengths of the different Modelling platforms. Watershed models predict time-variable hydrology and water quality conditions throughout a variety of land surface categories, typically for surface and groundwater. They enable land-based, climate change, and other scenarios to be evaluated, as well as determination of source-based load distribution. Receiving water models focus only on waterbodies, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs, and typically simulate hydrodynamics and/or water quality processes. Commonly coupled non-proprietary watershed models include the Loading Simulation Program in C++ (LSPC), Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), while receiving water models include the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), CE-QUAL-W2, and the Water quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP).
In recent years, a focus on watershed implementation has resulted in linkage of watershed and BMP models. Advanced BMP models, such as System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis IntegratioN (SUSTAIN), simulate combinations of structural management practices and enable users to optimize selection and placement of these practices based on hydrology, water quality, and economic targets. Linked watershed-BMP Modelling applications have become a powerful tool to evaluate the potential benefits of costly infrastructure before spending limited resources to construct them.
This presentation will explore a number of coupled watershed-receiving water and watershed-BMP model applications in Alberta and the United States, including the North Saskatchewan River LSPC-EFDC Modelling system.
Modelling is an effective tool for supporting water resources management. A wide range of models have been developed and applied in the public and private realms to evaluate surface hydrology, groundwater, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and water quality. Models are generally designed to focus on a limited aspect of the built or natural environment; however they are frequently coupled to support water management and planning. Indeed, linked models take full advantage of models’ individual strengths and avoid oversimplification.
Different models are coupled depending on the primary objectives of a study. Watershed and receiving water models are commonly coupled to support Cumulative Effects, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), and comprehensive watershed management studies. These studies take advantage of the strengths of the different Modelling platforms. Watershed models predict time-variable hydrology and water quality conditions throughout a variety of land surface categories, typically for surface and groundwater. They enable land-based, climate change, and other scenarios to be evaluated, as well as determination of source-based load distribution. Receiving water models focus only on waterbodies, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs, and typically simulate hydrodynamics and/or water quality processes. Commonly coupled non-proprietary watershed models include the Loading Simulation Program in C++ (LSPC), Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), while receiving water models include the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), CE-QUAL-W2, and the Water quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP).
In recent years, a focus on watershed implementation has resulted in linkage of watershed and BMP models. Advanced BMP models, such as System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis IntegratioN (SUSTAIN), simulate combinations of structural management practices and enable users to optimize selection and placement of these practices based on hydrology, water quality, and economic targets. Linked watershed-BMP Modelling applications have become a powerful tool to evaluate the potential benefits of costly infrastructure before spending limited resources to construct them.
This presentation will explore a number of coupled watershed-receiving water and watershed-BMP model applications in Alberta and the United States, including the North Saskatchewan River LSPC-EFDC Modelling system.
