USGS models are widely used to predict responses of hydrologic systems to changing stresses, such as increases in precipitation or ground-water pumping rates, as well as to predict the fate and movement of solutes and contaminants in water.
The USGS is at the forefront of devising new techniques and computer software to solve practical problems in the study of water resources. Predictive models are needed to make informed decisions in many emerging areas related to the effects of water resources development. New models and methods enhance all USGS water programs. State and local governments as well as scientists and engineers in the private sector regularly use USGS models as an integral part of their work.
MODFLOW
The internationally recognized USGS modular hydrologic model for simulating and predicting groundwater conditions and groundwater/surface-water interactions. MODFLOW is a commonly-used tool at the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center.
SPARROW modeling
SPARROW is a hybrid statistical and mechanistic approach for modeling the sources, fate, and transport of contaminants in watersheds. SPARROW was developed by the USGS in the 1990s and has been used extensively within the MD-DE-DC WSC ever since.
Precipitation Runoff Modeling
The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical process based modeling system developed to evaluate the response of various combinations of climate and land use on streamflow and watershed hydrology.
Some of Our Work
SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes)
SPARROW is a hybrid statistical and mechanistic approach for modeling the sources, fate, and transport of contaminants in watersheds. SPARROW was developed by the USGS in the 1990s and has been used widely in the mid-Atlantic Region, the wider United States, and elsewhere. SPARROW has been used extensively within the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center to support improved understanding of the multiple natural and human factors affecting the occurrence, distribution, and changes over time in nutrients and sediment in surface waters.
Some SPARROW-Related Publications
Spatially Referenced Models of Streamflow and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Suspended-Sediment Loads in Streams of the Northeastern United States
By: Scott W. Ator
Toward Explaining Nitrogen and Phosphorus Trends in Chesapeake Bay Tributaries, 1992–2012
By: Scott W. Ator, Ana Maria García, Gregory E. Schwarz, Joel D. Blomquist, and Andrew J. Sekellick
Application of SPARROW Modeling to Understanding Contaminant Fate and Transport from Uplands to Streams
By: Scott W. Ator, Ana Maria García
Sources, fate, and transport of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Chesapeake Bay watershed-An empirical model
By: Scott W. Ator, John W. Brakebill, and Joel D. Blomquist
Simulating Stream Transport of Nutrients in the Eastern United States, 2002, Using a Spatially-Referenced Regression Model and 1:100,000-Scale Hydrography
By Anne B. Hoos, Richard B. Moore, Ana Maria Garcia, Gregory B. Noe, Silvia E. Terziotti, Craig M. Johnston, and Robin L. Dennis
MTC (More to Come)
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
MODFLOW and Related Programs
New information on chemical and physical characteristics of streams and floodplains across the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
- Overview
USGS models are widely used to predict responses of hydrologic systems to changing stresses, such as increases in precipitation or ground-water pumping rates, as well as to predict the fate and movement of solutes and contaminants in water.
The USGS is at the forefront of devising new techniques and computer software to solve practical problems in the study of water resources. Predictive models are needed to make informed decisions in many emerging areas related to the effects of water resources development. New models and methods enhance all USGS water programs. State and local governments as well as scientists and engineers in the private sector regularly use USGS models as an integral part of their work.
MODFLOW
The internationally recognized USGS modular hydrologic model for simulating and predicting groundwater conditions and groundwater/surface-water interactions. MODFLOW is a commonly-used tool at the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center.
SPARROW modeling
SPARROW is a hybrid statistical and mechanistic approach for modeling the sources, fate, and transport of contaminants in watersheds. SPARROW was developed by the USGS in the 1990s and has been used extensively within the MD-DE-DC WSC ever since.
Precipitation Runoff Modeling
The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical process based modeling system developed to evaluate the response of various combinations of climate and land use on streamflow and watershed hydrology.
Some of Our Work
SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes)
SPARROW is a hybrid statistical and mechanistic approach for modeling the sources, fate, and transport of contaminants in watersheds. SPARROW was developed by the USGS in the 1990s and has been used widely in the mid-Atlantic Region, the wider United States, and elsewhere. SPARROW has been used extensively within the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center to support improved understanding of the multiple natural and human factors affecting the occurrence, distribution, and changes over time in nutrients and sediment in surface waters.
Some SPARROW-Related Publications
Spatially Referenced Models of Streamflow and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Suspended-Sediment Loads in Streams of the Northeastern United States
By: Scott W. Ator
Toward Explaining Nitrogen and Phosphorus Trends in Chesapeake Bay Tributaries, 1992–2012
By: Scott W. Ator, Ana Maria García, Gregory E. Schwarz, Joel D. Blomquist, and Andrew J. Sekellick
Application of SPARROW Modeling to Understanding Contaminant Fate and Transport from Uplands to Streams
By: Scott W. Ator, Ana Maria García
Sources, fate, and transport of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Chesapeake Bay watershed-An empirical model
By: Scott W. Ator, John W. Brakebill, and Joel D. Blomquist
Simulating Stream Transport of Nutrients in the Eastern United States, 2002, Using a Spatially-Referenced Regression Model and 1:100,000-Scale Hydrography
By Anne B. Hoos, Richard B. Moore, Ana Maria Garcia, Gregory B. Noe, Silvia E. Terziotti, Craig M. Johnston, and Robin L. Dennis
MTC (More to Come)
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
MODFLOW and Related Programs
MODFLOW is the USGS's modular hydrologic model. MODFLOW is considered an international standard for simulating and predicting groundwater conditions and groundwater/surface-water interactions. MODFLOW 6 is presently the core MODFLOW version distributed by the USGS. The previous core version, MODFLOW-2005, is actively maintained and supported as well.New information on chemical and physical characteristics of streams and floodplains across the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Issue: Improving stream health is an important outcome of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. Stream conditions are important for recreational fisheries, and mitigating the amount of nutrients, sediment, and contaminants delivered to the Bay. - Publications
- Software