Application of Modelling Approach in Flat Land Watersheds of Canadian Lake Erie Basin
Rituraj Shukla, School of Engineering, University of Guelph, [email protected]
Prasad Daggupati Daggupati, University of Guelph, [email protected]
Ramesh Rudra, University of Guelph, [email protected]
Pradeep Goel, ON Ministry of Environment, [email protected]
Shiv Prasher, Department of Bioresource Engineering Macdonald Campus of McGill University, [email protected]
Abstract
In last few decades, the non-point sources of phosphorus pollution, primarily from agricultural fields, threatens the health of Lake Erie. The harmful phosphorus pollutants discharging from agricultural fields are associated to the interaction of land use management practices and the hydrological cycle. In order to apply Best Management Practices (BMPs) for reducing the phosphorus loads draining into the Lake Erie, the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI) program was established in Ontario, Canada. In this study, three watersheds namely; Wigle creek, Jeannette creek, and Kettle creek have been selected under the GLASI program. These watersheds are modeled to assess the impact of implemented BMPs, as well as, to know sensitive areas, discharging the amount of phosphorus from these watersheds into the Lake Erie. Therefore, in this study, we will present the results of SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) calibrated model, with an approach of representing every potential field as hydrologic response units (HRUs) to estimate field level outputs. This field boundary approach enables decision maker, to measure the impact of current and future management practices on phosphorus losses from agricultural fields.
1. Keyword
Lake Erie
2. Keyword
modeling
3. Keyword
phosphorus
4. Additional Keyword
Best management practices (BMPs)
5. Additional Keyword
Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
6. Additional Keyword
Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI)