Abstract
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool 2012 (SWAT2012) offers four sediment routing methods as optional alternatives to the default simplified Bagnold method. Previous studies compared only one of these alternative sediment routing methods with the default method. The proposed study evaluated the impacts of all four alternative sediment transport methods on sediment predictions: the modified Bagnold equation, the Kodoatie equation, the Molinas and Wu equation, and the Yang equation. The Arroyo Colorado Watershed, Texas, USA, was first calibrated for daily flow. The sediment parameters were then calibrated to monthly sediment loads, using each of the four sediment routing equations. An automatic calibration tool—Integrated Parameter Estimation and Uncertainty Analysis Tool (IPEAT)—was used to fit model parameters. The four sediment routing equations yielded substantially different sediment sources and sinks. The Yang equation performed best, followed by Kodoatie, Bagnold, and Molinas and Wu equations, according to greater model goodness-of-fit (represented by higher Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient and percent bias closer to 0) as well as lower model uncertainty (represented by inclusion of observed data within 95% confidence interval). Since the default method (Bagnold) does not guarantee the best results, modelers should carefully evaluate the selection of alternative methods before conducting relevant studies or engineering projects.
Highlights
IntroductionThe semi-distributed watershed simulation model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) [1]has been applied worldwide to identify critical source areas of water quality impairments and evaluate potential solutions through land use change and water resource planning and management [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9].Various SWAT applications have been conducted to explore sediment loading from watersheds [10,11,12,13].Most SWAT sediment studies have focused on sediment transport in surface and bank erosion [13,14,15], while comparatively few studies have taken into account sediment transport within streams [16,17].In addition, excess sediment loads can cause silting problems and damage aquatic habitats [18].In recent years, research related to sediment yield and transportation has increased considerably [19].Challenges such as erosion of fertile topsoil, blocking stream channels, and filling reservoirs have the potential to impact agricultural productivity [20]
Most Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) sediment studies have focused on sediment transport in surface and bank erosion [13,14,15], while comparatively few studies have taken into account sediment transport within streams [16,17]
The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential influence of the four alternative sediment transport methods on sediment loads and concentrations using a SWAT
Summary
The semi-distributed watershed simulation model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) [1]has been applied worldwide to identify critical source areas of water quality impairments and evaluate potential solutions through land use change and water resource planning and management [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9].Various SWAT applications have been conducted to explore sediment loading from watersheds [10,11,12,13].Most SWAT sediment studies have focused on sediment transport in surface and bank erosion [13,14,15], while comparatively few studies have taken into account sediment transport within streams [16,17].In addition, excess sediment loads can cause silting problems and damage aquatic habitats [18].In recent years, research related to sediment yield and transportation has increased considerably [19].Challenges such as erosion of fertile topsoil, blocking stream channels, and filling reservoirs have the potential to impact agricultural productivity [20]. Various SWAT applications have been conducted to explore sediment loading from watersheds [10,11,12,13]. Most SWAT sediment studies have focused on sediment transport in surface and bank erosion [13,14,15], while comparatively few studies have taken into account sediment transport within streams [16,17]. Excess sediment loads can cause silting problems and damage aquatic habitats [18]. Research related to sediment yield and transportation has increased considerably [19]. Challenges such as erosion of fertile topsoil, blocking stream channels, and filling reservoirs have the potential to impact agricultural productivity [20]
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