A coupled hydrodynamic (HEC‐RAS 2D) and water quality model (WASP) for simulating flood‐induced soil, sediment, and contaminant transport

Abstract

Increased intensity and frequency of floods raise concerns about the release and transport of contaminated soil and sediment to and from rivers and streams. To model these processes during flooding events, we developed an External Coupler in Python to link the Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) 2D hydrodynamic model to the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP). Accurate data transfer from a hydrodynamic model to a water quality model is critical. Our test results showed the External Coupler successfully linked HEC-RAS and WASP and addressed technical challenges in aggregating flow data and conserving mass during the flood event.We ran the coupled models for a 100-year flood event to calculate floodinduced transport of sediment-associated arsenic in Woodbridge Creek, NJ. Change in surface sediment and arsenic at the end of 48-h flood simulation ranged from a net loss of 13.5 cm to a net gain of 11.6 cm, and 16.2 to 2.9 mg/ kg, respectively, per model segment, which demonstrates the capability of the coupled model for simulating sediment and contaminant transport in flood.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Water Quality and Its Multiscale Relationship with Land Use in the Yangtze River Basin

“…So it is necessary to assess the water quality to protect freshwater ecosystems better. There are many ways to assess the water quality, including water quality index methods [5], water quality models [6], and machine learning [7]. Moreover, with the development of remote sensing technology, many researchers are focusing on remote water quality assessment.…”

Watershed Models: Review of Approaches, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…Xu et al developed a coupling of UWSM and DWBM, where the HSPF and CE-QUAL-W2 were connected based on the preparation of connection documents. A similar method was adopted by Debele et al, Betrie et al, Munar et al, and Shabani et al…”

“…There are different methods and approaches to couple these two models. Various commonly used coupling models have been reported, i.e., the coupling of HEC and water quality analysis simulation program (WASP), hydrological simulation program-Fortran (HSPF) and SWAT, HSPF and WASP, SWAT and CE-QUAL-W2, , and SWAT and EFDC. , Despite the aforementioned reports, these coupling models were not summarized and compared in detail, specifically their simulation mechanisms and application fields.…”

Application of the WASP Model for Assessment of Aeration Impact on Water Quality of Porsuk River, Turkey

“…WASP has been applied to various surface water systems, addressing a range of environmental contaminants. Recently, Shabani et al (2021) simulated flood-induced soil, sediment, and contaminant transport by using a coupled hydrodynamic (HEC-RAS 2D) and water quality model (WASP). Wool et al (2020) summarized the evolution of the model over the years.…”