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LECTURE 1 INTRODUCTION TO BASINS AND TMDLS

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LECTURE 1 INTRODUCTION TO BASINS AND TMDLS

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    1. LECTURE #1 INTRODUCTION TO BASINS AND TMDLS

    2. 1 of 28 WHAT IS BASINS? Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources Integrated GIS, data analysis and modeling system designed to support watershed based analysis and TMDL development Data: national data sets with options to import local data Tools: provide quick access to analysis techniques for watershed assessment Models: provide more detailed analysis and predictive evaluations to support studies

    3. 2 of 28 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BASINS? To assist in watershed management and TMDL development by: Characterization of Water Quality Data Identification of Pollution Sources Load Allocations

    4. 3 of 28 BASINS DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY Builds on existing, documented technology Integrates existing models (i.e., HSPF, SWAT) Incorporates national derived data coverages (i.e., PCS, STORET…) Ease of use GIS technology supports organization, display, selection, and analysis of information Windows technology provides graphical user interfaces (GUI) that facilitate interaction with the data and analytical tools Automatic linkage streamlines the flow of information

    5. 4 of 28

    6. 5 of 28 DATA IN BASINS

    7. 6 of 28 BASINS SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTED DATA Land use and land cover (shape and grid) Urbanized areas Reach file 1 National Hydrography Data (NHD) Major roads USGS hydrologic unit boundaries (accounting and catalog units) EPA region boundaries State boundaries County boundaries DEM (shape and grid) National Elevation Dataset (NED) Ecoregions NAQWA study unit boundaries Soil (STATSGO)

    8. 7 of 28 BASINS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA Water quality monitoring station summaries Bacteria monitoring station summaries Permit compliance system sites and computed annual loadings Weather station sites USGS gaging stations Legacy STORET New STORET

    9. 8 of 28

    10. 9 of 28 BASINS UTILITIES Theme Manager Import Tool Data Download Tool Grid Projector GenScn WDMUtil Manual Delineation Tool Automatic Delineation Tool Archive/Restore Predefined Delineation Tool Land Use, Soil Classification, and Overlay Land Use Reclassification DEM Reclassification Water Quality Observation Data Management Lookup Tables

    11. 10 of 28 MODELING CAPABILITIES IN BASINS Models to address multiple objectives Source assessment Receiving water evaluation Models which operate on various scales Local scale Watersheds Basins Models which can be applied at various levels of complexity Screening Detailed

    12. 11 of 28 BASINS MODELS HSPF (Hydrologic Simulation Program, FORTRAN) Continuous simulation model with fixed, user-selected, time steps Predicts loadings in mixed land use settings for: Nutrients Toxics Bacteria Sediment Considers point source and nonpoint source loadings and trading

    13. 12 of 28 BASINS MODELS PLOAD Screening tool Provides estimates of nonpoint sources of pollution on an annual average basis Models any user-specified pollutant Uses either the export coefficient or simple method approach

    14. 13 of 28 BASINS MODELS SWAT Physical based, watershed scale model Developed to predict impacts of land management practices on water, sediment, and agricultural chemical yields in large complex watersheds

    15. 14 of 28 BASINS MODELS AGWA developed by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service's Southwest Watershed Resource Center multipurpose hydrologic analysis system for performing watershed- and basin-scale studies provides the functionality to conduct a watershed assessment for two watershed hydrologic models: KINEROS2 (designed for small semi-arid watersheds) and SWAT.

    16. 15 of 28 WHAT IS NEW IN BASINS 3.1? Entirely web-based data extraction. A new Data Download tool that manages the downloading of data from the web. A 'Build New Project' tool that provides an interface for selecting the geographic area of interest from among the entire 48 contiguous United States. Refined BASINS web data holdings. 30-meter DEMs, from the National Elevation Dataset (NED). A new Archive and Restore tool, to assist with storage and retrieval of BASINS projects, with the ability to compare two BASINS projects. A new extension to the AGWA GIS-based modeling tool. A new report tool based on the Watershed Characterization System (WCS)

    17. 16 of 28 “It is a national goal that the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters be eliminated by 1985.” TMDL focused on protection of surface water resources Streams Reservoirs Estuaries The ultimate goal of the TMDL process is to meet the water quality standards and ultimately improve habitat in a watershed. CLEAN WATER ACT OBJECTIVE

    18. 17 of 28 THE TMDL PROGRAM The TMDL program Requires states to develop TMDLs for waters on the 303(d) list Section 303(d) requires the identification and prioritization of waters not meeting in-stream water quality standards The TMDL includes a distribution of pollutant loading (allocation) that results in attainment of water quality standards Five key steps to TMDL development Identify water quality-limited waters (303(d) list) Prioritize water quality-limited waters Develop the TMDL plan for each water quality limited stream segment Implement the water quality improvement for each segment Assess water quality improvement for each segment

    19. 18 of 28 TMDL FOCUS To determine the amount of pollution the water is capable of assimilating while maintaining its intended beneficial uses.

    20. 19 of 28 EPA TMDL EQUATION Here is EPA’s TMDL equation. This essentially states that the point source waste loads and the nonpoint source loads must be allocated with a margin of safety such that they remain within the tmdl standard for a particular contaminant on a given stream reach. The left part of this equation has to do with the water quality standards and beneficial use designations themselves. This part of the equation is supported by scientists but is often battled out in politics as different interest groups vie to have the stream be designated with particular beneficial uses. The right side of the equation is where the TMDL development activity takes place. Here, the engineers and watershed managers come together with local user groups and other stakeholders to establish equitable load allocations among point and nonpoint source polluters, and to determine an appropriate margin of safety such that the equation is satisfied. Citizen activists, whether environmental, agricultural, industrial or recreational can take a role in both sides of the equation by getting streams off or on to the list, and by being a part of the load allocation process Here is EPA’s TMDL equation. This essentially states that the point source waste loads and the nonpoint source loads must be allocated with a margin of safety such that they remain within the tmdl standard for a particular contaminant on a given stream reach. The left part of this equation has to do with the water quality standards and beneficial use designations themselves. This part of the equation is supported by scientists but is often battled out in politics as different interest groups vie to have the stream be designated with particular beneficial uses. The right side of the equation is where the TMDL development activity takes place. Here, the engineers and watershed managers come together with local user groups and other stakeholders to establish equitable load allocations among point and nonpoint source polluters, and to determine an appropriate margin of safety such that the equation is satisfied. Citizen activists, whether environmental, agricultural, industrial or recreational can take a role in both sides of the equation by getting streams off or on to the list, and by being a part of the load allocation process

    21. 20 of 28 WHAT ARE EPA’S EXPECTATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS? Scientific proof Must use credible tools for data analysis Data CWA requires the use of credible and defensible data for decision making Monitoring Monitoring is required to prove the TMDL is appropriate and requirements are being met.

    22. 21 of 28 WHERE DOES BASINS FIT INTO THE TMDL PROCESS? Minimizes data collection Provides data visualization tools Provides simple data analysis tools Provides water quality models and data for populating models Models provide a framework for scenario generation and TMDL allocations. Communication with stakeholders through GIS and modeling output Source identification

    23. 22 of 28 THE GOALS OF MODELING The role of the scientist and engineer in establishing the right side of the equation is to assist in answering these three questions. It is assued that management options are established by the managers and the stakeholders and that the engineers have this information. The role of the scientist and engineer in establishing the right side of the equation is to assist in answering these three questions. It is assued that management options are established by the managers and the stakeholders and that the engineers have this information.

    24. 23 of 28 ASSIMILATIVE CAPACITY TECHNICAL TOOLS Why models? Determine maximum load a stream can receive without exceeding allowable assimilative capacity Point sources Linkage between discharges and waterbody response Simple dilution models, steady-state water quality simulations (QUAL2E), dynamic water quality simulation (WASP) depend on pollutant type and waterbody Nonpoint sources Linkage between all sources and waterbody response Nonpoint source is wet-weather driven and critical condition may be at medium or high flow condition Watershed-receiving water response models (HSPF, SWMM, linked watershed receiving water models)

    25. 24 of 28 TMDL TYPES Point sources and low flow condition Use steady state model Use an appropriate design flow Determine the magnitude of the impairment and endpoint Develop scenarios of point source waste load allocations that will meet the allowable assimilative capacity

    26. 25 of 28 TMDL TYPES Point and nonpoint sources Probably need a time varying model Include all sources and define when and where impairments occurs (critical condition) Calculate loading under existing condition Calculate loading under allocation scenarios that meet the target/standard May need to negotiate with stakeholders

    27. 26 of 28 NONPOINT SOURCE TMDLS

    28. 27 of 28 OTHER ISSUES IN TMDL DEVELOPMENT Scarcity of data in space and time Uncertainty in data and models Limitations in data analysis tools Difficulty with stakeholder involvement and input Limited expertise Limitations of models

    29. 28 of 28 1. Chemical reactions- we know the reactions that can take place, but these are hightly dependant on temperature and ph and thee vary significantly over space and time. 2. Complex ecosystems: one phytoplankton compartmnent, two zooplankton compartments, and no fisj -- small number of distict species1. Chemical reactions- we know the reactions that can take place, but these are hightly dependant on temperature and ph and thee vary significantly over space and time. 2. Complex ecosystems: one phytoplankton compartmnent, two zooplankton compartments, and no fisj -- small number of distict species

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