Nose Creek Watershed Partnership completes Hydrologic, Hydraulic and Water Quality Model Scoping Study

Posted on Apr 14, 2021 in Modelling and Calculators, Volume Targets, Stream Stability, Monitoring, Water Quality, Flooding

The Nose Creek Watershed Partnership has completed Phase I of its four-phase Nose Creek Model Project. The project was initiated in response to the highest-priority recommendation of the recently updated Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan to “collaborate with partners to develop a watershed-scale predictive model”.  The model is being developed to support multi-jurisdictional land-use management decisions and guidance. The four phases of the project include:

  • Phase I—Model Scoping Study
  • Phase II—Model Development
  • Phase III— Model Application and Assessment of Current-State Watershed Conditions
  • Phase IV—Evaluation of Watershed Management Strategies and Options

ALIDP partner Barr Engineering and Environmental Science Canada was retained for Phase I. Work included: 

  • Task 1—Review and evaluate existing hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality models
  • Task 2— Review existing data available for model setup, calibration, validation, and management scenarios evaluation
  • Task 3— Select recommended modelling approach for the watershed
  • Task 4—Identify data inputs needed for all phases of the project, study schedule, and estimated costs
  • Task 5—Recommend monitoring program to fill identified data gaps

The hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality models are expected to simulate runoff from the rural and urban areas of the watershed, simulate the pollutant and nutrient loads from upland areas, route runoff through the stream network in the watershed, and simulate the transport and fate of pollutants and nutrients in the system. The specific goal of modelling is to provide the requisite information allowing watershed managers to address and minimize the impacts of future developments in the watershed on riparian vegetation, fish habitat, channel incision, channel migration, water quality degradation, and floods in Nose Creek and West Nose Creek.  

A modelling approach using four models (PCSWMM, SWAT, HEC-RAS, and EFDC) was ultimately recommended out of 20 models evaluated. 

The data gap analysis determined that continuous monitoring of flows and water quality at a number of locations within the watershed will be required to successfully calibrate the four models during Phase II of the study.  

Read the study here http://nosecreekpartnership.co...

Phase II has recently been awarded and is underway.


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