Water-Quality Modeling Group Active
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
In the field of surface water, a water-quality model is a mathematical representation of a river, stream, lake, or reservoir. These models include equations and algorithms that describe the processes affecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients, organic matter, toxics, aquatic plants, algae, and/or suspended sediment. Streamflow or circulation patterns are often a component of water-quality modeling, because mass transport is critical to water-quality cycles.
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center (ORWSC) water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
Water-quality models have many applications and can be used to:
- Identify controlling water-quality processes
- Pinpoint data needs and target fieldwork
- Estimate water quality in areas without monitoring data
- Support TMDL analyses
- Explore water-quality effects of management options, restoration, or environmental change
Models from one to three dimensions are used within the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. Modeling tools in use include CE-QUAL-W2 (W2), SPARROW, PRMS, UnTRIM, RBM-10, HEC-RAS, SELDM, and various artificial neural network (ANN) and spreadsheet-based and custom models built with R and perl. Optimization of model parameter values sometimes utilizes the parameter estimation software PEST.
Water-quality modeling at ORWSC is conducted in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies. Technical modeling assistance is also provided to others within USGS. Collaboration with biologists, resource managers, regulators and others interested in water quality has been a natural outgrowth of the modeling program.
Feel free to contact Daniel Wise if you would like know more about this group.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
SPARROW modeling of nitrogen sources and transport in rivers and streams of California and adjacent states, U.S.
Sources and transport of phosphorus to rivers in California and adjacent states, U.S., as determined by SPARROW modeling
Simulations of a hypothetical temperature control structure at Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, northwestern Oregon
Improved algorithms in the CE-QUAL-W2 water-quality model for blending dam releases to meet downstream water-temperature targets
Development of a HEC-RAS temperature model for the North Santiam River, northwestern Oregon
Water-quality modeling of Klamath Straits Drain recirculation, a Klamath River wetland, and 2011 conditions for the Link River to Keno Dam reach of the Klamath River, Oregon
Assessing potential effects of highway runoff on receiving-water quality at selected sites in Oregon with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM)
Estimation of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in streams of the Middle Columbia River Basin (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) using SPARROW models, with emphasis on the Yakima River Basin, Washington
Application of the SPARROW model to assess surface-water nutrient conditions and sources in the United States Pacific Northwest
Modeling the Water - Quality Effects of Changes to the Klamath River Upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon
Macrophyte and pH buffering updates to the Klamath River water-quality model upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon
Simulating potential structural and operational changes for Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, Oregon, for downstream temperature management
Below are software products associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
In the field of surface water, a water-quality model is a mathematical representation of a river, stream, lake, or reservoir. These models include equations and algorithms that describe the processes affecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients, organic matter, toxics, aquatic plants, algae, and/or suspended sediment. Streamflow or circulation patterns are often a component of water-quality modeling, because mass transport is critical to water-quality cycles.
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center (ORWSC) water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
Water-quality models have many applications and can be used to:
- Identify controlling water-quality processes
- Pinpoint data needs and target fieldwork
- Estimate water quality in areas without monitoring data
- Support TMDL analyses
- Explore water-quality effects of management options, restoration, or environmental change
Models from one to three dimensions are used within the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. Modeling tools in use include CE-QUAL-W2 (W2), SPARROW, PRMS, UnTRIM, RBM-10, HEC-RAS, SELDM, and various artificial neural network (ANN) and spreadsheet-based and custom models built with R and perl. Optimization of model parameter values sometimes utilizes the parameter estimation software PEST.
Water-quality modeling at ORWSC is conducted in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies. Technical modeling assistance is also provided to others within USGS. Collaboration with biologists, resource managers, regulators and others interested in water quality has been a natural outgrowth of the modeling program.
Feel free to contact Daniel Wise if you would like know more about this group.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 38SPARROW modeling of nitrogen sources and transport in rivers and streams of California and adjacent states, U.S.
The SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes) model was used to evaluate the spatial distribution of total nitrogen (TN) sources, loads, watershed yields, and factors affecting transport and decay in the stream network of California and portions of adjacent states for the year 2002. The two major TN sources to local catchments on a mass basis were fertilizers and manure (5AuthorsDina Saleh, Joseph L. DomagalskiSources and transport of phosphorus to rivers in California and adjacent states, U.S., as determined by SPARROW modeling
The SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression on Watershed attributes) model was used to simulate annual phosphorus loads and concentrations in unmonitored stream reaches in California, U.S., and portions of Nevada and Oregon. The model was calibrated using de-trended streamflow and phosphorus concentration data at 80 locations. The model explained 91% of the variability in loads and 51% of the varAuthorsJoseph L. Domagalski, Dina SalehSimulations of a hypothetical temperature control structure at Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, northwestern Oregon
Water temperature models of Detroit Lake, Big Cliff Lake, and the North Santiam River in northwestern Oregon were used to assess the potential for a hypothetical structure with variable intake elevations and an internal connection to power turbines at Detroit Dam (scenario SlidingWeir) to release more natural, pre-dam temperatures year round. This hypothetical structure improved outflow temperaturAuthorsNorman L. Buccola, Adam J. Stonewall, Stewart A. RoundsImproved algorithms in the CE-QUAL-W2 water-quality model for blending dam releases to meet downstream water-temperature targets
Water-quality models allow water resource professionals to examine conditions under an almost unlimited variety of potential future scenarios. The two-dimensional (longitudinal, vertical) water-quality model CE-QUAL-W2, version 3.7, was enhanced and augmented with new features to help dam operators and managers explore and optimize potential solutions for temperature management downstream of thermAuthorsStewart A. Rounds, Norman L. BuccolaDevelopment of a HEC-RAS temperature model for the North Santiam River, northwestern Oregon
A one-dimensional, unsteady streamflow and temperature model (HEC-RAS) of the North Santiam and Santiam Rivers was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to be used in conjunction with previously developed two-dimensional hydrodynamic water-quality models (CE-QUAL-W2) of Detroit and Big Cliff Lakes upstream of the study area. In conjunction with the output from the previously developed models, thAuthorsAdam J. Stonewall, Norman L. BuccolaWater-quality modeling of Klamath Straits Drain recirculation, a Klamath River wetland, and 2011 conditions for the Link River to Keno Dam reach of the Klamath River, Oregon
The upper Klamath River and adjacent Lost River are interconnected basins in south-central Oregon and northern California. Both basins have impaired water quality with Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in progress or approved. In cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Watercourse Engineering, Inc., have conducted modeling and research to inform managementAuthorsAnnett B. Sullivan, I. Ertugrul Sogutlugil, Michael L. Deas, Stewart A. RoundsAssessing potential effects of highway runoff on receiving-water quality at selected sites in Oregon with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM)
In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Department of Transportation began a cooperative study to demonstrate use of the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM) for runoff-quality analyses in Oregon. SELDM can be used to estimate stormflows, constituent concentrations, and loads from the area upstream of a stormflow discharge site, from the site of interest and in the reAuthorsJohn C. Risley, Gregory E. GranatoEstimation of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in streams of the Middle Columbia River Basin (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) using SPARROW models, with emphasis on the Yakima River Basin, Washington
The watershed model SPARROW (Spatially Related Regressions on Watershed attributes) was used to predict total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads and yields for the Middle Columbia River Basin in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The new models build on recently published models for the entire Pacific Northwest, and provide revised load predictions for the arid interior of the region by resAuthorsHenry M. Johnson, Robert W. Black, Daniel R. WiseApplication of the SPARROW model to assess surface-water nutrient conditions and sources in the United States Pacific Northwest
The watershed model SPARROW (Spatially Referenced Regressions on Watershed attributes) was used to estimate mean annual surface-water nutrient conditions (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) and to identify important nutrient sources in catchments of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States for 2002. Model-estimated nutrient yields were generally higher in catchments on the wetter, westeAuthorsDaniel R. Wise, Henry M. JohnsonModeling the Water - Quality Effects of Changes to the Klamath River Upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon
The Link River to Keno Dam (Link-Keno) reach of the Klamath River, Oregon, generally has periods of water-quality impairment during summer, including low dissolved oxygen, elevated concentrations of ammonia and algae, and high pH. Efforts are underway to improve water quality in this reach through a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program and other management and operational actions. To assist inAuthorsAnnett B. Sullivan, I. Ertugrul Sogutlugil, Stewart A. Rounds, Michael L. DeasMacrophyte and pH buffering updates to the Klamath River water-quality model upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon
A hydrodynamic, water temperature, and water-quality model of the Link River to Keno Dam reach of the upper Klamath River was updated to account for macrophytes and enhanced pH buffering from dissolved organic matter, ammonia, and orthophosphorus. Macrophytes had been observed in this reach by field personnel, so macrophyte field data were collected in summer and fall (June-October) 2011 to providAuthorsAnnett B. Sullivan, Stewart A. Rounds, Jessica R. Asbill-Case, Michael L. DeasSimulating potential structural and operational changes for Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, Oregon, for downstream temperature management
Detroit Dam was constructed in 1953 on the North Santiam River in western Oregon and resulted in the formation of Detroit Lake. With a full-pool storage volume of 455,100 acre-feet and a dam height of 463 feet, Detroit Lake is one of the largest and most important reservoirs in the Willamette River basin in terms of power generation, recreation, and water storage and releases. The U.S. Army CorpsAuthorsNorman L. Buccola, Stewart A. Rounds, Annett B. Sullivan, John C. Risley - Software
Below are software products associated with this project.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.