BSySE 598
Graduate Seminar
Spring Semester 2009
'The significance of Channel Contributions in Controlling Suspended Sediment Load"
Presented by Dr. Eddy J. Langendoen
The US EPA has identified fine-grained sediment as a major detriment to stream function.
States have been tasked to develop sediment TMDLs for their streams impaired by sediment, which is typically related to excess fine-grained sediments. The TMDL development process includes the identification of sediment sources, the quantification of target sediment metrics, and proposed implementation of conservation measures for significant sediment sources.
Concurrently, the USDA-ARS, CSREES and NRCS have been tasked to re-evaluate the benefits of USDA conservation programs such as EQIP and CRP at the watershed-scale through the CEAP project. This also involves the identification of sources of fine-grained sediment and an evaluation of the fate of these sediments.
Watershed-scale studies require the use of computer models to properly evaluate sources, reduction scenarios, and watershed response. Historically, the states and USDA have focused on the uplands as the main source of fine-grained sediment by applying models such as USLE, RUSLE, SWAT, or AnnAGNPS. As a consequence, the stream system as a source of fine-grained sediment has been neglected, because these models either do not or do not adequately evaluate the stream system.
Long-term monitoring of ARS watersheds in North-Central Mississippi and the increased use of radio-nuclides and other environmental tracers in sediment fingerprinting studies have shown that streambanks may contribute up to 90% of the fine-grained sediment leaving the watershed. This requires improved channel components in existing USDA models or the integration of these models with channel evolution computer models such as the USDA-ARS CONCEPTS model.
The AnnAGNPS and CONCEPTS models were coupled and used to perform integrated watershed analyses for TMDL development and CEAP conservation measure evaluation. Applications of the integrated system to James Creek, Mississippi and Shades Creek, Alabama will be presented.
L. J. Smith Hall
Room 259
4:10 - 5:00 PM
(Unless Otherwise posted)
Coordinator: Dr. Joan Wu
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