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YAZOO BASIN, MISSISSIPPI WATER QUALITY MODEL PARAMETERS STUDY
Impact/Purpose:
The primary objective of this study is to collect water quality samples within the Yazoo Basin, MS for the evaluation and development of water quality model inputs. The data collected will be used to (1) evaluate the potential for applying model inputs on a basin scale and (2) determine the need for additional data collection in the Yazoo Basin. The study was requested by R4 Water Management Division, Standards Monitoring and TMDL Branch.
Description:
Throughout the Yazoo Basin in Mississippi, the State has identified numerous impaired water bodies requiring Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Through a Consent Decree, the EPA Region 4 Water Management Division (WMD) has committed to develop TMDLs in the Yazoo Basin by 2008. Due to the number of listed waters, it is not feasible to conduct comprehensive water quality model calibration surveys of each water body. Instead, the WMD would like to evaluate the potential for developing regional model inputs based on data for a subset of the listed waters. EPA Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) assistance was requested to collect specific water quality and model related data at selected stations in the Yazoo Basin. These data and information will be used by the WMD to evaluate the potential for applying model inputs on a broad scale throughout the basin. In addition, data from this study will be used to determine the need for additional study in the basin either in the late summer of 2006 or in 2007. Planned studies include: 1. Diffusion, Sediment Oxygen Demand, and Nutrient Exchange measurement on a representative water body; 2. Water quality sampling/analyses, including Long-term BOD, at several water bodies in the Yazoo Basin; 3. Chlorophyll/Algal Growth Potential and light extinction measurements at several water bodies in the Yazoo Basin; 4. In-situ water quality measurement concurrent with sampling; and 5. Width/depth estimates for each sampling location.