scholarly journals Assessing Surface Flowpath Interception by Vegetative Buffers Using ArcGIS Hydrologic Modeling and Geospatial Analysis for Rock Creek Watershed in Central Iowa

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 273-283
Author(s):  
David F. Webber ◽  
Manveen Bansal ◽  
Steven K. Mickelson ◽  
Matthew J. Helmers ◽  
Kapil Arora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nonpoint Source ◽  
Map Comparison ◽  
Vegetative Buffers ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Creek Watershed ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Elevation Model

Abstract. Nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution is a major cause of surface water quality degradation due to the transport of chemicals, nutrients, and sediments into lakes and streams. Vegetative buffers comprise several effective landscape best management practices (BMPs) that include vegetative filter strips (VFS) and grassed waterways. However, some BMPs are less effective due to concentrated surface flow, improper cropland-to-VFS area ratios, and surface flowpaths that partially or completely bypass vegetative buffers. The overall objective of this study was to quantify the accuracy of simulated flowpaths relative to observed and global positioning system (GPS)-assisted ground-truthed surface flowpaths for improved placement of VFS and other vegetative buffers to effectively intercept surface runoff. This study was conducted on three research sites in Rock Creek watershed in central Iowa. Geographic information system (GIS) software was used for flowpath hydrologic modeling and geospatial map comparison analysis. Digital elevation model (DEM) datasets were used for flowpath simulation and included internet-available USGS 30 m × 30 m grid (typically used to design and site VFS buffers) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) 5 m × 5 m grid DEMs. Results from this study indicate that the LiDAR 5 m × 5 m DEM generated significantly more accurate simulated flowpaths than the USGS 30 m × 30 m DEM. These results quantitatively underscore the efficacy of using high-resolution LiDAR DEM data to more accurately determine how well surface flowpaths are intercepted by VFS and other vegetative buffers. These results also demonstrate the benefits of coupling high-resolution aerial imagery with quantitative geospatial map comparison data to improve visualization and comparison of field-scale and watershed-scale hydrologic and terrestrial attributes. Ultimately, the results and procedures from this study will be applied to the development of a novel cloud-based, user-interactive, virtual-reality decision support (DS) tool that can be used to remotely assess hydrologic landscape conditions, prescribe improvements to existing BMPs, and determine new sites for enhanced BMP placement and functionality within a high-resolution 3-D imagery environment. Keywords: ArcGIS, Best management practices (BMPs), Decision support (DS) tool, Digital elevation model (DEM), Geospatial analysis, Light detection and ranging (LiDAR), Nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution, Surface runoff, Vegetative filter strip (VFS), Watershed hydrol

Preliminary Evaluation of Effects of Best Management Practices in the Black Earth Creek, Wisconsin, Priority Watershed

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 539-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Walker ◽  
David J. Graczyk
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nonpoint Source ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Creek Watershed ◽  
Basin Scale

Nonpoint-source contamination accounts for a substantial part of the water quality problems in many watersheds. The Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program provides matching money for voluntary implementation of various best management practices (BMPs). The effectiveness of BMPs on a drainage-basin scale has not been adequately assessed in Wisconsin by use of data collected before and after BMP implementation. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, monitored water quality in the Black Earth Creek watershed in southern Wisconsin from October 1984 through September 1986 (pre-BMP conditions). BMP implementation began during the summer of 1989 and is planned to continue through 1993. Data collection resumed in fall 1989 and is intended to provide information during the transitional period of BMP implementation (1990-93) and 2 years of post-BMP conditions (1994-95). Preliminary results presented for two subbasins in the Black Earth Creek watershed (Brewery and Garfoot Creeks) are based on data collected during pre-BMP conditions and the first 3 years of the transitional period. The analysis includes the use of regressions to control for natural variability in the data and, hence, enhance the ability to detect changes. Data collected to date (1992) indicate statistically significant differences in storm mass transport of suspended sediment and ammonia nitrogen at Brewery Creek. The central tendency of the regression residuals has decreased with the implementation of BMPs; hence, the improvement in water quality in the Brewery Creek watershed is likely a result of BMP implementation. Differences in storm mass transport at Garfoot Creek were not detected, primarily because of an insufficient number of storms in the transitional period. As practice implementation continues, the additional data will be used to determine the level of management which results in significant improvements in water quality in the two watersheds. Future research will address techniques for including snowmelt runoff and early spring storms.

Evaluation of Best Management Practices in the Black Creek Watershed

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsi S. Bracmort ◽  
Bernard A. Engel ◽  
Jane R. Frankenberger
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Creek Watershed
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