AVGWLF uses GWLF (Generalized Watershed Loading Function) to simulate runoff, sediment, and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loadings from a given watershed. It is a continuous simulation model that uses daily time steps for water balance calculations. The model then calculates monthly water balance values and uses these to estimate monthly sediment and nutrient loads to the watershed.
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Water quality monitoring data from the Ashuelot River watershed was utilized for the calibration of the Northeast AVGWLF. The Ashuelot River watershed was one of twenty-two watersheds used to calibrate the model.
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Twenty-two watersheds were selected in the Northeast region for the purpose of calibrating and validating the model for New England and New York State. The watersheds were selected to represent the assortment of landscape characteristics that exist in the region; each watershed also had to meet a minimum threshold for available historic water quality and flow data. Half of these watersheds were used to calibrate the model, while the other half of the watersheds were used to validate the model. For more information regarding the calibration and validation of the Northeast AVGWLF, please see the Northeast AVGWLF Project Report.
AVGWLF is packaged with a management tool, PRedICT- Pollution Reduction Impact Comparison Tool. PRedICT was developed in order to evaluate pollution reduction strategies at the watershed level. It allows the user to create scenarios in which current landscape conditions and pollutant loads can be compared to future conditions, taking into account the implementation of best management practices (BMPs). PRedICT contains a database of BMPs, such as the conversion of septic systems to centralized wastewater treatment, streambank protection, and various stormwater and agricultural runoff mitigation strategies. In addition to providing the associated reduction efficiencies for the different BMPs, PRedICT also provides a cost estimate for implementing each of the BMPs.
AVGWLF users can run the model for a given watershed or set of watersheds and bring the output files into PRedICT. PRedICT assumes that these output files represent the current nutrient and sediment loading to a watershed. The user can then select a suite of BMPs to implement in that watershed and look at the associated sediment and nutrient reduction efficiencies and costs. Although PRedICT is packaged with AVGLWF, this tool can be used independently of the model.
For more information about the Northeast AVGWLF, contact Becky Weidman, our AVGWLF coordinator.