Date of Award

4-2005

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Geography

First Advisor

Dr. Chansheng He

Second Advisor

Dr. Gregory Veeck

Third Advisor

Dr. David Dickason

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The Davis Creek Watershed has been impaired for many years by nonpoint source pollution. A recent modeling research on the watershed simulated both nutrient and sediment movements for the single storm events. This study simulates the movement of sediments and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in the watershed continuously using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for assessing water quality in the watershed. Multiple databases for climate, soil types, DEM, land use and agricultural management practices were used to derive inputs for the SWAT. Subsequently, the SWAT model was run for the period of 1998-2004. The simulated results show that the urbanized regions of the Davis Creek are the critical sources of sediments and nutrient loads. Four management scenarios were developed: no till, conversion of agricultural land to urban, expansion of wetland area, and construction of retention ponds in the residential area, were simulated for nonpoint source pollution management. The results show that no till and construction of retention ponds would reduce sediment and nutrient loads in the watershed while conversion of agricultural land to urban would increase the loadings. This information, while valuable and useful, needs to be further verified in the field for supporting water quality decision making in the Davis Creek.

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Geography Commons

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