Modeling the effect of LULC change on water quantity and quality in Big Creek Lake Watershed, South Alabama USA

Abstract

The land use and land cover (LULC) of a watershed play an important role in controlling its hydrological processes. With the help of applying the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), this study aims to quantify the impact of changing LULC on hydrological responses and water quality in the Big Creek Lake watershed in Mobile County, South Alabama. A number of data sources were input into the SWAT model as part of its calibration and validation, including land use and land cover (LULC), weather variables, digital elevation models (DEMs), soil properties, and measured streamflows. The total monthly streamflow increased by about 62 m3/s and the average nitrogen and phosphorus are estimated to have increased by about 3,172 kg/Ha and 892 kg/Ha per year respectively over the thirty years because of the increasing agricultural land (11,406 acres), urban development (3,350 acres), and decreasing forested areas (11,482 acres). This research could be helpful for water resource managers and planners by incorporating the results in the monitoring and planning for the future.