Use of the STORM model for estimating the quantity and quality of runoff from the metropolitan area of Houston, Texas

The "STORM" model, developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was selected from existing models and adapted to use available data to compute runoff from the Houston, Texas, area and to compute the loads and concentrations of biochemicaloxygen demand, dissolved solids, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and fecal-coliform bacteria. The water-quality data simulated by the STORM model will be used by the Texas Department of Water Resources to refine and verify a model of the Calveston Bay estuarine system. 

Discharge and precipitation data for the 1975 water year and all available waterquality analyses were used to calibrate the model for the Buffalo, Whiteoak, Brays, Sims, Hunting, Greens, and Vince Bayous. Data for the 1974 water year were used to verify the model for discharge. After verification, the calibrations were adjusted to balance the difference between the 1974 and 1975 error predictions for discharge. The adjusted model was used with records of precipitation and evaporation to simulate a 20-vear record of the quantity and quality of runoff from the modeled area.