Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2013ND278B

Application of Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Model for Estimating Nutrient Loads to Lake Ashtabula, ND, under Different Climate Scenarios

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2013 Start Date: 2013-03-01 End Date: 2014-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $4,510 Total Non-Federal Funds: $7,838

Principal Investigators: Zhulu Lin, G. Padmanabhan

Abstract: TMDL development studies are being considered for several watersheds in the State, region, and the nation. Watershed models are used in most of them. Therefore, watershed modeling is a key component in the process of TMDL development to estimate the pollutant loading entering the water body and to identify all sources of the pollutant contributing to the water quality impairment. Another matter of concern is the impact of climate on nutrient loadings. The specific objectives of this study are: 1. To review state-of-the-art of watershed modeling for TMDL purposes 2. To develop a SWAT model to estimate loadings of nutrients (N and P), sulfate, and sediment to Lake Ashtabula 3. To link the watershed model with an in-stream water quality model to investigate the impacts of different future climate scenarios(e.g., dry and wet conditions) on water quality of Lake Ashtabula and 4. To compare SWAT results with those of AnnAGNPS to gain a better understanding of upland nutrient sources to Lake Ashtabula. Results from the coupled model could improve accuracy on TMDL evaluations. This proposed project would benefit watershed modeling development for TMDL purposes and water quality management programs in North Dakota.