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Water Quality Modeling for the Raccoon River Watershed Using SWAT

Author

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  • Jha, Manoj K.
  • Arnold, Jeffrey G.
  • Gassman, Philip W.

Abstract

The Raccoon River Watershed (RRW) in West-Central Iowa has been recognized as exporting some of the highest nitrate-nitrogen loadings in the United States and is a major source of sediment and other nutrient loadings. An integrated modeling framework has been constructed for the RRW that consists of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, the interactive SWAT (i_SWAT) software package, Load Estimator (LOADEST) computer program, and other supporting software and databases. The simulation framework includes detailed land use and management data such as different crop rotations and an array of nutrient and tillage management schemes, derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Inventory databases and other sources. This paper presents the calibration and validation of SWAT for the streamflow, sediment losses, and nutrient loadings in the watershed and an assessment of land use and management practice shifts in controlling pollution. Streamflow, sediment yield, and nitrate loadings were calibrated for the 1981-1992 period and validated for the 1993-2003 period. Limited field data on organic nitrogen, organic phosphorus, and mineral phosphorus allowed model validation for the 2001-2003 period. Model predictions generally performed very well on both an annual and monthly basis during the calibration and validation periods, as indicated by coefficient of determination (R2) and Nash-Sutcliffe simulation efficiency (E) values that exceeded 0.7 in most cases. A set of land use change scenarios based on taking cropland out of production indicated a significant benefit in reducing sediment yield at the watershed outlet. A second scenario set found that relatively small reductions in nutrient applications resulted in significant reductions in nitrate loadings at the watershed outlet, without affecting crop yields significantly.

Suggested Citation

  • Jha, Manoj K. & Arnold, Jeffrey G. & Gassman, Philip W., 2006. "Water Quality Modeling for the Raccoon River Watershed Using SWAT," Hebrew University of Jerusalem Archive 18455, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:hebarc:18455
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.18455
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/18455/files/wp060428.pdf
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    1. Secchi, Silvia & Feng, Hongli & Kurkalova, Lyubov A. & Kling, Catherine L. & Gassman, Philip W. & Jha, Manoj, 2005. "Nonpoint Source Needs Assessment for Iowa Part II: the Cost of Improving Iowa’s Water Quality," ISU General Staff Papers 200501010800001068, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
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    2. Reich, Denis Andrew, 2007. "Evaluating the Conservation Security Program utilizing the perceptions and economics of producer participation: implications for land stewardship in Iowa agriculture," ISU General Staff Papers 2007010108000016024, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    3. Feng, Hongli & Jha, Manoj K. & Gassman, Philip W., 2006. "Allocating Nutrient Load Reduction across a Watershed: Implications of Different Principles," 2006 Annual meeting, July 23-26, Long Beach, CA 21131, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).

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