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Title: HYDROLOGY OF AGRICULTURAL LAND: PART I USDA-EVERGLADES AGRO-HYDROLOGY COMPUTER MODEL (EAHM)

Author
item Savabi, M
item SHINDE, D - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2005
Publication Date: 8/15/2005
Citation: Savabi, M.R., Shinde, D. 2005. Hydrology of agricultural land: part I USDA-Everglades agro-hydrology computer model (EAHM). Laboratory Publication.

Interpretive Summary: The long-term plan to restore the Everglades National Park ecosystem to a more natural state may alter South Florida's current hydrologic regime. Moreover, increased allocation of water for urbanization could cause a water shortage for agriculture during the dry season. Therefore, the sustainability of agriculture in the region will depend upon a better understanding of soil-water balance and soil water management. Computer simulation models, such as the USDA-Everglades Agro-hydrology model, provide a mechanism to evaluate the possible effect of hydrologic change on crop production, soil water balance, irrigation need, and the movement of chemicals in the ecosystem. The model can be used for selection of best management practices for maintaining or improving crop growth, water quality, for identification of critically threatened areas, and for determination of soil-water management plus chemical application combinations, which pose a significant threat to water quality.

Technical Abstract: Several hydrologic models have been used in Miami-Dade County over the last decade. These models differ in complexity, application scale and were developed for different objectives. The USDA-Everglades Agro-Hydrology model is a field-scale model that can be used in conjunction with a regional-scale model and GIS databasees to similate agro-hydrologic conditions in the agricultural area in C-111 basin. The USDA-Everglades Agro-Hydrology model is an event-based, deterministic, physically-based, farm-scale model. The model simulates the following processes: soil water balance (infiltration, plant transpiration, soil evaporation, soil water redistribution, and seepage below root zone), plant growth (row-crop and fruit trees), irrigation practices, soil erosion, farming practices (tillage, planting and harvesting), upward flux from shallow ground water table, subsurface water flow from the drainage canals. The South Florida-Regional System Model simulates the ground water and surface water flow in South Florida. The objective of this paper is to present the RSM-EAHM governing equations and the application of the model in a typical farm in South Miami-Dade County.