Research Areas > Stormwater > Watershed Modeling

Research Area: Watershed Modeling

A key challenge in water-quality management is accounting for the variability and uncertainty associated with pollutant fate and transport in aquatic systems. Models are a valuable tool in addressing these issues because they allow a broad range of scenarios to be simulated and results from one area to be extrapolated to larger areas. This allows managers to bound the expected ranges of variability associated with seasonal and climatic differences, and to identify which sources of uncertainty have the greatest influence on pollutant behavior. Furthermore, models allow numerous management scenarios to be “virtually” evaluated, providing the information necessary for decisions regarding allocation of limited resources.
 

SCCWRP Research

Successful application of watershed models relies on several factors. First, the key data that drive model development must be identified and collected. Second, model calibration and validation simulations must be compared against local data. Third, model sensitivity should be evaluated to assess confidence in the simulated management solutions. The goal of SCCWRP's modeling research is to develop and validate state-of-the-art modeling approaches of different management scenarios.

SCCWRP's modeling efforts focus on tracking pollutants from their sources to their aquatic end-point. Modeling activities can provide more information about pollutant fate and transport within the watershed. Watershed modeling at SCCWRP simulates stormwater runoff throughout a watershed, and determines which management scenarios can minimize pollutant inputs to aquatic systems.

Major watershed modeling projects include:

• Development and Evaluation of Watershed Models - models simulating hydrology and pollutant buildup and washoff at the land use, watershed, and regional scales.
• BMP Modeling - dynamic "management scenario" models that provide managers information on how Best Management Practices (BMPs) function during individual storms and throughout the storm season.