Pacific Southwest Research Station

Water Quality Modeling Toolbox for Pollutant Reduction

Researchers will develop a toolbox of modeling tools and will package selected models to include user-friendly protocols, documentation, and application formats. The products will facilitate technology transfer to basin users, create conceptual and operational linkages between individual models, and update the watershed model to better address the critical issue of wildfire and pollutant runoff.

Full Title: Development of a water-quality-modeling toolbox to inform pollutant reduction planning, implementation planning, and adaptive management

Proposal [pdf]

Lead Researchers: John Reuter and Geoffrey Schladow, University of California, Davis

Goals

1. Work with the water quality regulatory agencies to formally develop the envisioned Tahoe Water-Quality Toolbox
2. Package selected models to include user-friendly protocols, documentation, and application formats, leading to a means for technology transfer to basin users.
3. Create conceptual and operational linkages between individual models as appropriate.
4. Update the watershed model to better address the critical issue of wildfire and pollutant runoff.

Toolbox Elements (see diagram at right)

1. Watershed model
2. Lake clarity model
3. (3-D) lake circulation model
4. Project-scale Pollutant Load Reduction model and linkage to basin-scale watershed model

Timeframe: August 2008 through June 2010 (2 years)

Products

1. Conceptual models of the key environmental processes related to pollutant load in Lake Tahoe and how they are accounted for in the various simulation models
2. Updated watershed model for wildfire and pollutant loading, which will be used to simulate loading and lake response from the 2007 Angora Fire
3. Performance review of watershed and lake clarity models using recent data
4. Documentation of linkage format for (a) Pollutant Load Reduction model at the projects scale to basin-scale watershed model and (b) the 3-D lake circulation model to the lake clarity model and regional Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model evaluation tools (MET) outputs
5. Packaging and training for watershed and lake clarity model used by agencies
6. Data product for MET data/output used in water quality modeling
7. Framework for formal establishment and operation of the water quality toolbox
8. Quarterly progress reports, and annual report at the end of year one and a final project report
9. Participation in the total maximum daily load (TMDL), Pathway 2007, and other water quality planning efforts that use modeling