Great Lakes Tributary Model

Soil erosion and runoff from farms, forests, and urban areas contribute millions of tons of sediments to Great Lakes rivers and streams every year.  These sediment loadings diminish water quality, contain nutrients that foster harmful algae blooms, and decrease the depths in navigation channels.  The USACE dredges several million cubic yards of sediments from Great Lakes harbors and channels to maintain safe depths for navigation.  Under the Great Lakes Tributary Model program, the USACE has developed computer models and web-based tools that help state and local agencies and non-governmental groups evaluate the impacts of measures for soil conservation and non-point source pollution control.

The products of this program include:

• training programs on soil erosion and sediment transport;
• models of soil erosion and sediment transport for specific tributaries;
• training programs on monitoring sediment in streams;
• web-based tools that can be used to evaluate soil erosion and sediment delivery anywhere in the Great Lakes watershed;
• training programs on web-based tools, and;
• studies and reports on soil erosion and sediment transport specific to the Great Lakes.

The products developed under the Great Lakes Tributary Model program and training are free.   Click here for a fact sheet on this program.  For additional information on the program, check out the Great Lakes Tributary Model program on the Great Lakes Commission website.

USACE Point of Contact for these Great Lakes programs is Mr. Jan Miller (jan.a.miller@usace.army.mil).