Modeling of Watershed Systems

The Modeling of Watershed Systems (MOWS) project develops, supports, and researches the techniques and application of hydrolologic simulation models at the watershed scale. The ability to simulate the hydrologic response of watersheds is fundamental to interdisciplinary research and modeling, as well as providing information for policy and management decisions regarding natural and engineered systems. An improved understanding of the physical world, new and better sources of data, and the necessity to answer increasingly complex questions drive the MOWS research and development effort. Specifically, the research objectives of MOWS are: (1) improve the overall understanding and simulation of watershed system dynamics; (2) develop computer models to simulate and evaluate various combinations of model inputs, including climate change, management scenarios, and evolving landscapes on the components of the hydrologic cycle; (3) develop procedures and techniques to better estimate model parameters and quantify uncertainty; (4) enhance interdisciplinary science efforts by the development, support, and use of integrated modeling; and (5) develop models that can inform policy and management decision makers with regard to the dynamics of hydrologic systems. For additional information, see project's home page.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 2007-2009

Hay, L.E., and McCabe, G.J., in press, Hydrologic Effects of Climate Change on the Yukon River Basin, Climatic Change.

Hay, L.E., McCabe, G.J., Clark, M.P., Risley, J.C., 2009, Reducing streamflow forecast uncertainty: Application and qualitative assessment of the upper Klamath River basin, Oregon: Journal of the American Water Resources Association, v. 45, no. 3, p. 580-596. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Larsen, M.C.,and Webb, R.M.T., 2009, Potential effects of runoff, fluvial sediment and nutrient discharges on the coral reefs of Puerto Rico: Journal of Coastal Research, v. 25, p. 189-208. ISSN 0749-0208. (on-line abstract or on-line paper in pdf format, 2723 KB)

Linard, J.I., Wolock, D.M., Webb, R.M.T., and Wieczorek, M.E., 2009, Identifying hydrologic processes in agricultural watersheds using precipitation-runoff models: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5126, 22 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1.57 MB)

Markstrom, S.L., and Hay, L.E, 2009, Integrated watershed scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States: Water Resources Impact, v. 11, no. 2, p. 8-10.

Ward-Garrison , C., Markstrom, S.L., and Hay, L.E., 2009, Downsizer-A graphical user interface-bsaed application for browsing, acquiring, and formatting time-series data for hydrologic models: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1166, 27 p. (on-line abstract of on-line report in pdf format, 1.3 MB)

Walker, J.F., Hunt, R.J., Markstrom, S.L., Hay, L.E., and Doherty, J., 2009, Using a Coupled Groundwater/Surface-Water Model to Predict Climate-Change Impacts to Lakes in the Trout Lake Watershed, Northern Wisconsin, in Webb, R.M.T., and Semmens, D.J., eds, Proceedings of the Third Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: Planning for an Uncertain Future: Monitoring, Integration, and Adaptation: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5049, p. 155-161. (on-line paper in pdf format)

Webb, R.M.T., 2009, Meeting Summary: Role of Science, Policy, and Society in Adaptive Watershed Management, Eos Transactions, American Geophysical Union, v. 90, no. 11, p. 93.

Webb, R.M.T., and Semmens, D.J., eds, 2009, Proceedings of the Third Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: Planning for an Uncertain Future: Monitoring, Integration, and Adaptation: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5049. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 34 MB)

Bayless, E.R., Capel, P.D., Barbash, J.E., Webb, R.M.T., Hancock, T.L.C., and David C. Lampe, D. C., 2008, Simulated Fate and Transport of Metolachlor in the Unsaturated Zone, Maryland, USA: Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 37, p. 1064-1072. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Clark, M.P., Slater, A.G. , Rupp, D.E., Woods, R.A.,. Vrugt, J.A., Gupta, H.V., Wagener, T., and L. E. Hay, L.E., 2008, Framework for Understanding Structural Errors (FUSE): A modular framework to diagnose differences between hydrological models: Water Resources Research, v. 44, W00B02, doi:10.1029/2007WR006735 (on-line abstract of journal article)

Hancock, T.C., Sandstrom, M.W., Vogel, J.R., Webb, R.M.T., Bayless, E.R., and Barbash, J.E., 2008, Pesticide Fate and Transport throughout Unsaturated Zones in Five Agricultural Settings, USA: Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 37, p. 1086-1100. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Hay, L.E., and McCabe, G.J., 2008. Hydrologic effects of climate change in the Yukon River Basin: Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008, May 12-16, Honolulu, Hawaii, Amercian Society of Civil Engineers. (on-line abstract)

Markstrom, S.L., and Koczot, K.M., 2008, Users manual for the object user interface (OUI)-An environmental resource modeling framework: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1120, 39 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 4.3 MB)

Markstrom, S.L., Niswonger, R.G., Regan, R.S., Prudic, D.E., and Barlow, P.M., 2008, GSFLOW—Coupled ground-water and surface-water flow model based on the integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 6-D1, 240 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 8.5 MB)

Viger, R.J.,2008, The GIS Weasel: an interface for the treatment of geographic information in modeling: Computers and Geosciences, v. 34, no. 8, p. 891-901. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Webb, R.M.T., Wieczorek, M.E., Nolan, B.T., Hancock, T.C., Sandstrom, M.W., Barbash, J.E., Bayless, E.R., Healy, R.W., and Linard, J., 2008, Variations in Pesticide Leaching Related to Land Use, Pesticide Properties, and Unsaturated Zone Thickness: : Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 37, p. 1145-1157. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Hay, L.E., and Umemoto, Makiko, 2007, Multiple-objective stepwise calibration using Luca: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1323, 25 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 787 KB)

McCabe, G.J., Clark, M.P. and Hay, L.E., 2007,. Rain-on-snow events in the western United States: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, v. 88, no. 3, p. 319-328. (on-line abstract or on-line article, in pdf format, 3.41 MB, published by the American Meteorological Society with open access)

McCabe, G.J., and Markstorn, S.L., 2007, A Monthly Water-Balance Model Driven By a Graphical User Interface: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File report 2007-1088, 6 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 596 KB)

Viger, R.J., and Leavesley, G.H., 2007, The GIS Weasel User's Manual: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods Book 6, chap. B4, 201 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 15 MB)

For bibliographic citations prior to 2007, see Precipitation-Runoff Modeling of Watershed Systems

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Lauren E. Hay
U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25046, ms412, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO
Email: lhay@usgs.gov
Telephone: 303-236-7279