Grantee Research Project Results
Watershed Modeling and Uncertainty Analysis of the Cannonsville Reservoir Basin
EPA Grant Number: U915552Title: Watershed Modeling and Uncertainty Analysis of the Cannonsville Reservoir Basin
Investigators: Benaman, Jennifer
Institution: Cornell University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: August 1, 1999 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Environmental , Safer Chemicals , Academic Fellowships
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) study sediment and phosphorous loadings from the land surface to the Cannonsville Reservoir in Upstate New York; and (2) investigate the role of uncertainty in the calculation of these watershed loadings. The analysis will focus particularly on spatial uncertainty, such as spatial distribution of rainfall data and topographical information.
Approach:
The approach of the evaluation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) and land use practices is to develop a basin-wide watershed model for the Cannonsville Basin. The model simulates hydrology, sediment, and phosphorous transport over the watershed, which ultimately becomes an input to the reservoir. The model being applied is the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, which was developed in Texas for use on agricultural lands. This model, which will be combined with geographical information systems (GIS), is spatially distributed, requiring that the entire basin be divided into smaller subbasins of similar land use, soil properties, and topography.
Expected Results:
Using GIS, meteorological data, river geometry information, and constituent parameters, the model will develop the fate and transport of phosphorus and sediment over the land surface.
Supplemental Keywords:
fellowship, watershed modeling, uncertainty analysis, geographic information systems, GIS., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, State, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Engineering, agricultural runoff, uncertainty analysis, land use model, watershed, geo-spatial internet system, sediment transport, GIS, phosphorus, ecological modelsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.