Title:
Watershed model sensitivity to bacteria parameters
Watershed model sensitivity to bacteria parameters
Author(s)
Radcliffe, David E.
Matthews, Monte
Cabrera, Miguel L.
Matthews, Monte
Cabrera, Miguel L.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Watershed-scale models can be used to
determine the pollutant daily load in TMDL streams, or to
test the effect of different scenarios for reducing bacterial
load. HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program –
FORTRAN ) is a watershed-scale model distributed as
part of the EPA BASINS system. EPA has also
developed a Bacterial Indicator Tool for calculating the
effect of livestock and septic systems on the bacterial
parameters required by HSPF. We used HSPF and the
Bacterial Indicator Tool to predict stream flow and FC
concentrations in the Little River watershed of the Upper
Oconee River basin and test for model sensitivity to
bacteria parameters. We calibrated flow and FC
concentrations using data from a USGS gaging station at
the Highway 16 crossing near Eatonton, GA. The
bacteria samples were collected during the period 1990 to
1994. We tested the sensitivity of the model predictions
of FC to bacteria parameters by doubling the values of the
parameters and calculating the root mean square change
in predicted FC concentration. The most sensitive
parameters were (in order of decreasing sensitivity):
number of beef cattle, number of dairy cattle, time cattle
spend in stream, and in-stream first-order decay rate.
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Date Issued
2003-04
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Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings