Goodwin Creek Watershed

Principal Investigator:

Problem: 
The water quality within watershed systems can be highly dependent on channel processes. The effectiveness of best management practices (BMP's) in fields often can lead to impacts in the channel system. Instream erosion control practices also impact the upstream and downstream portions of channels. With many practices installed throughout the watershed, the effectiveness of any individual BMP or instream structure is very difficult to determine over the long-term on ungaged watersheds.

Objective:
To develop a comprehensive integrated channel and landscape simulation model. This would be used as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of erosion control measures installed anywhere in the watershed system.

Description of Work:
Watershed processes have been characterized and incorporated into a watershed modeling scheme. These processes include runoff and erosion produced from fields and being transported downstream through the channel system. The channel system processes modeled include bed and bank erosion, along with bank stability. Detailed information from Goodwin Creek Watershed was used to develop and validate the modeling scheme.

Benefit:
This modeling effort is important in reducing the overall cost associated with implementation of effective erosion control measures within ungaged watersheds. An increased understanding of the interrelationship between watershed processes can result as improved modeling tools, such as presented in this study, are developed.