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Developing a high resolution eco-hydrologic watershed model for three local streams
Citation:
Hollenhorst, T., M. Moffett, D. Woodruff, AND J. Barge. Developing a high resolution eco-hydrologic watershed model for three local streams. River Restoration Conference, Two Harbors, MN, October 28 - 30, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
This work will help develop models that environmental managers can use to assess the effects of forest harvest on stream flow and the effectiveness of various management strategies they may implement as part of various restoration plans and efforts.
Description:
We are working to populate and calibrate a eco-hydrologic model developed by the EPA for three local watersheds (Keene, Kingsbury, and Talmadge. VELMA (Visualizing Ecosystem Land Management Assessments) is a spatially explicit ecohydrology model that links hydrological and biogeochemical processes within watersheds. VELMA has been used to assess the effects of forest harvest on streamflow, the effectiveness of riparian and watershed management strategies on salmon recovery and the effectiveness of alternative green infrastructure scenarios for protecting water quality. To support the modeling efforts, we began streamflow monitoring in 2017 for both Keene and Kingsbury with monitoring on Talmadge starting in 2018. Multiple water level recorders were deployed in each watershed and set to record at 15-minute intervals through the ice-free season. Flow is measured at different water flow levels to develop discharge at various parts of the watershed from upstream to downstream. Air and water temperature loggers have also been deployed in the upper and lower parts of each watershed. We also monitor stream water for nutrients (N and P), suspended solids, organic C, various anions and cations, and specific conductance monthly (April to October) and one time in winter (February). Next steps for us will involve rain event sampling. We are looking to find other data that identify and quantify vegetation composition and biomass for various parts of these watersheds as well as hydrologic data. The VELMA model can be used for environmental managers to provide alternative scenarios and effects testing for many types of single event to chronic changes at smaller sub-watershed and whole watershed scale. We’ll develop model scenarios to compare the effects of land cover changes (e.g. loss of wetlands, or increased imperviousness) in context of changing weather and precipitation.