Description:

The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) interface jointly developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service, and the University of Arizona to automate the parameterization and execution of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and KINematic Runoff and EROSion (KINEROS2) hydrologic models. The application of these two models allows AGWA to conduct hydrologic modeling and watershed assessments at multiple temporal and spatial scales. AGWA’s current outputs are runoff (volumes and peaks) and sediment yield, plus nitrogen and phosphorous with the SWAT model. AGWA uses commonly available GIS data layers to fully parameterize, execute, and spatially visualize results from both SWAT and KINEROS2. Through an intuitive interface, users select an outlet from which AGWA delineates and discretizes the watershed using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The watershed model elements are then intersected with soils and land cover data layers to derive initial estimates of requisite model input parameters. AGWA can currently use STATSGO, SSURGO and FAO soils and nationally available land-cover/use data such as the National Land Cover Data (NLCD) datasets. Users are also provided the functionality to easily customize AGWA for use with any classified land-cover/use data. The chosen hydrologic model is then executed, and the results are imported back into AGWA for visual display on the spatially distributed model elements. This allows decision-makers to identify potential problem areas where additional monitoring can be undertaken or mitigation activities can be focused. AGWA can difference results from multiple simulations to examine and compare changes predicted for each alternative input scenario (e.g., climate/weather change, land-cover change, present conditions, and alternative futures). In addition, a variety of new capabilities have been incorporated into AGWA, including pre- and post-fire watershed assessment, watershed group simulations to cover all watersheds within a political or management boundary, implementation of stream buffer zones, and installation of retention and detention structures. A land-cover modification tool is provided for the development of prescribed land-cover change scenarios, with a number of options for uniform, spatially random, and patchy change to single or multiple land-cover classes. There are currently two versions of AGWA available: AGWA 1.5 for users with Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcView 3.x GIS software (ESRI, 2005), and AGWA 2.0 for users with ESRI ArcGIS 9.x (ESRI, 2006). Both 1.5 and 2.0 AGWA versions have been retained to reach the widest available audience.

Record Details:

Record Type:MODEL

Product Published Date:01/13/2004

Record Last Revised:10/08/2009

Record ID: 75821

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Model Detail:

Model Evaluation :

• AGWA has completed several external peer-reviews since its inception (AGWA 1.0 peer review first completed in 2002 and AGWA 2.0 peer review completed 2007). Peer review has been conducted through both EPA and USDA/ARS clearance processes and thus assigned separate report numbers, EPA/600/C-07/015 and ARS/218468, respectively.
• Several peer-review journal articles, proceedings, and agency reports have been published and posters presented at national science meetings (see: http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pubs.htm).
• Support documentation, i.e. fact sheets, brochures, product announcements, etc., available for both ArcView and ArcGIS versions (http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/info.htm). AGWA 1.5 code structure available via http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/arcview/contents.htm.
• Peer reviewed User’s Manuals with training tutorials available via http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pdf/agwa_manual_1-5.pdf (AGWA 1.5) and http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pdf/agwa_manual_2-0.pdf (AGWA 2.0).
• Peer reviewed Design Documentation (migration of ArcView AGWA to ArcGIS and internet) available at http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/archive/agwa_design.pdf
• Category 3 Quality Assurance Project Plans available via http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pdf/qaqc2-0.pdf (AGWA 2.0) and http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pdf/177leb00.pdf (AGWA 1.X).

Model URL :http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/index.htm

Model Guidance Documents :http://www.epa.gov/esd/land-sci/agwa/pdf/agwa_manual_2-0.pdf

Model Decision Documents :Other documents are available here.

Model Download Information :User registration is required for download:
http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/agwa/

modelcontactinfo :William G. Kepner
U.S EPA
Landscape Ecology Branch
ESD/NERL/ORD
kepner.William@epa.gov
702.798.2193

Developer Contact:
Shea Burns
USDA/Agricultural Research Service
Southwest Watershed Research Center
2000 E. Allen Road
Tucson, AZ 85719
shea.burns@ars.usda.gov
520.670.6380 Ext. 162
http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/agwa/

Model Inputs :Using digital data in combination with the automated functionality of AGWA greatly reduces the time required to use these two watershed models. Through a robust and intuitive interface the user selects an outlet from which AGWA delineates and discretizes the watershed using the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) information. The watershed elements are then intersected with soil, land cover, and precipitation (uniform or distributed) data layers to derive the requisite model input parameters. The model is then run, and the results are imported back into AGWA for visual display.

• Digital elevation model (DEM) for watershed delineation and discretization
• STATSGO, SSURGO, or FAO soils for parameterization
• Classified land cover for parameterization
• Multi-year daily precipitation for SWAT
• Event-based precipitation for KINEROS2

Model Outputs :KINEROS

• Plane
  • Infiltration (mm or in)
  • Runoff (mm or m³)
  • Sediment yield (kg/ha)
  • Peak flow (m³/s or mm/hr)
  • Peak sediment discharge (kg/s)
  • Mass balance error (%)

• Channel
  • Infiltration (m³/km or ac-ft/mi)
  • Runoff (mm or m³)
  • Sediment yield (kg)
  • Peak flow (m³/s or mm/hr)
  • Peak sediment discharge (kg/s)
  • Channel scour (mm/m²)
  • Mass balance error (%)

SWAT

• Subwatershed
  • Precipitation (mm)
  • ET (mm)
  • Percolation (mm)
  • Surface runoff (mm)
  • Transmission loss (mm)
  • Water yield (mm)
  • Sediment yield (t/ha)
  • Organic Nitrogen (kg/ha)
  • Organic Phosphorous (kg/ha)
  • Mineral Phosphorous (kg/ha)
  • Nitrate (kg/ha)
  • Soluble Phosphorous (kg/ha)

• Channel
  • Transmission loss (m³/s)
  • Sediment yield (tons)
  • Runoff (m³//day)
  • Sediment concentration (mg/kg)
  • Organic Nitrogen (kg)
  • Organic Phosphorous (kg)
  • Nitrate (kg)
  • Ammonium (kg
  • Nitrite (kg)
  • Mineral Phosphorous (kg)

otheruserdocs :Fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/pdf/agwa_fact_sheet_2-0.pdf
TMDL application: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/pdf/tmdl_fs_2-0.pdf
Brochure: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/pdf/brochure_2-0.pdf
Quality Assurance Plan: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/pdf/qaqc2-0.pdf
Design Documentation: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/archive/agwa_design.pdf
Publications and Posters: http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/agwa/pubs.htm

Model Computer Requirements:

Model Operating Systems Needs :AGWA works with the Windows 2000, ME, NT, XP, and Vista environments.

Model Hardware Needs :Minimum and recommended hardware configurations are dictated by the GIS software platform, ESRI ArcView 3.x for AGWA 1.5 and ESRI ArcGIS 9.x for AGWA 2.0. For specific requirements see:
http://wikis.esri.com/wiki/display/ag93bsr/ArcGIS+Desktop (ArcGIS 9.3) and
http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=knowledgebase.systemRequirements.list &PN=ArcView+3.x&PID=25&count=1&pvid=96&VID=361 (ArcView 3.x).

Model Programming Language(s) :ESRI Avenue

other_req :

• For AGWA 1.5
  • ArcView 3.x
  • Spatial Analyst for ArcView 3.x
• For AGWA 2.0
  • ArcGIS 9.x
  • Spatial Analyst for ArcGIS 9.x
  • 3D Analyst for ArcGIS 9.x (optional – only required for SWAT distributed precipitation)
  • .NET Framework 1.1 (ArcGIS 9.0 and 9.1)
  • .NET Framework 1.1 and 2.0 (ArcGIS 9.2 and 9.3)