Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2014ME305B

Connecting climate and land use to Sebago Lake drainage network processes

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2014 Start Date: 2014-03-01 End Date: 2015-03-01
Total Federal Funds: $31,134 Total Non-Federal Funds: $62,406

Principal Investigators: Sean Smith

Abstract: This proposal intends to quantify the effects of climate and land cover and climate change on the erosion and transport of materials in tributaries draining into Sebago Lake. The work will leverage data and results from an ongoing hydrologic evaluation of the lake watershed, using the information to estimate sediment flux and geomorphic adjustments in selected drainage network locations. The hydrologic simulations will create runoff scenarios driven by specified climate and land use conditions that conform to informed estimates of past, present and future conditions in the region. Since the rate and magnitude of water flow in the tributaries governs erosion and transport of sediment, the hydrologic simulations provide a basis to examine patterns of tributary adjustment and sediment loading to the lake under the tested scenarios. The connection between climate, land use, hydrology, sediment flux, and drainage network conditions are at the heart of nonpoint source pollution concerns throughout the Northeastern U.S.A. This proposal focuses on advancing the understanding of the connection to provide guidance for watershed land use planning, nonpoint pollution management, aquatic habitat conservation, and protection of the drinking water sources provided by Sebago Lake.