Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325171
Title: Comparison of SWAT Predictions with Stream Biological Integrity Observations in an Agricultural Watershed

Author
item RENKENBERGER, JASON - University Of Maryland
item MONTAS, H.J. - University Of Maryland
item LEISNHAM, PAUL - University Of Maryland
item CHANSE, VICTORIA - University Of Maryland
item SHIRMOHAMMADI, A. - University Of Maryland
item Sadeghi, Ali
item BRUBAKER, KAYE - University Of Maryland
item ROCKLER, AMANDA - University Of Maryland
item HUTSON, THOMAS - University Of Maryland
item LANSING, DAVID - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2016
Publication Date: 5/20/2016
Citation: Renkenberger, J., Montas, H., Leisnham, P., Chanse, V., Shirmohammadi, A., Sadeghi, A.M., Brubaker, K., Rockler, A., Hutson, T., Lansing, D. 2016. Comparison of SWAT Predictions with Stream Biological Integrity Observations in an Agricultural Watershed. Meeting Abstract. ; doi: 10.13031/cc.20152122717..

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The SWAT model is calibrated with USGS data for an agricultural watershed located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Model predictions of runoff, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus amounts, at the outlet of sub-watersheds, are compared to measurements of stream biological integrity conducted throughout the watershed by the Maryland and Delaware Departments of Natural Resources (DNRs). Results indicate that the degree of correlation between predictions and observations varies throughout the watershed. These results are analyzed in relation to biophysical characteristics of the watershed and of the organisms sampled in the DNR surveys to help identify conditions for good and poor correlations. The outcome of this analysis helps to bridge the gap between model predictions of pollutant amounts in streams and the ecological effects resulting from these releases.