SWAT parameters for modeling watershed-scale conservation to reduce nutrient loss to surface waters

Session: Applications of Simulation Models in Watershed Science and Lake Ecology (2)

Nima Ehsani, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Jennifer Tank, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Alan Hamlet, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Todd Royer, Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, [email protected]
Ursula Mahl, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Matthew Trentman, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Shannon Speir, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]
Kyuhyun Byun, University of Notre Dame, [email protected]

Abstract

Agricultural activities are a major source of nutrient pollution to aquatic systems in the form of excess dissolved nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Winter cover crops have been identified as an effective conservation practice for reducing nutrient runoff from fields.  Cover crops are planted in the fall and are terminated before planting of the cash crop the following spring, keeping the biological cover on what would typically be bare ground, which protects fields from soil and nutrient loss, especially during winter snowmelt and spring storms. Over the past four years, watershed-scale cover crops have been implemented at varying levels in the Shatto Ditch Watershed and Kirkpatrick Ditch Watershed in northern Indiana. High-frequency water quality data will be used to calibrate high-resolution baseline SWAT models in both watersheds for streamflow and water quality. Using these initial studies, we will estimate parameters needed to develop SWAT models at larger spatial scales that can accurately forecast the potential benefits of cover crop implementation in larger river basins, under both historical and projected future climate.  The approach presented determines how observed field data can be used to test parameter transfer schemes among watersheds and scales and informs scaling of SWAT results to larger watersheds.

Twitter handle of presenter
@Ehsanima