Course Description
The science, technology, and policy aspects of watershed-scale modeling. There will be multiple assignments that will require the use of the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and a project chosen by the student (including a term paper). A midterm will cover science and policy readings.
Athena Title
Watershed-Scale Modeling
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in CRSS 8710, GEOL 8710
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Prerequisite
CRSS(FANR) 3060 or GEOL 3020-3020L
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will learn how to prepare Soil Water Assessment Tool input files for a typical watershed in the U.S. where weather, land use, elevation, soil, and observed stream data are readily available from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other web sites. They will learn how to run the model and use an auto-calibration/validation tool to compare the model output with the observed data. They will learn how to model water flow and at least one contaminant (sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, bacteria, or pesticide).
- Students will also learn how to prepare Soil Water Assessment Tool input files for a typical watershed outside of the U.S. where data is not readily available and more intensive Geographic Information System (GIS) work is required to obtain data. For this watershed, modeling will be limited to water flow. They will learn how to complement field data using readily available satellite remote sensing data. Since observed data is usually sparse, they will learn how to use manual calibration/validation for this type of watershed.
- Students will learn the science behind the Soil Water Assessment Tool model and the policy that is driving the use of models. The recent development of a Statewide Water Plan in Georgia, international water policies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Total Maximum Daily Load program will be used as examples.
Topical Outline
- Regulatory Background, Georgia Water Plan, and Total Maximum Daily Loads
- Introduction to Soil Water Assessment Tool
- Introduction to Arc Geographical Information Systems and Arc
- Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
- Hydrology
- Preparing Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
- Input Files
- Big Haynes Creek Watershed
- A typical U.S. watershed
- Sensitivity Analysis
- Calibration, Validation, and Model Uncertainty
- Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Nitrogen
- Preparing Satellite Input Files
- Introduction to Remote Sensing Hydrology
- Oum Er Rbia Watershed
- A Typical Non-U.S. Watershed
- Student Project Presentations
