Evaluating the SWAT Model for a Low-Gradient Forested Watershed in Coastal South Carolina

Amatya, Devendra M.; Jha, M. K.

doi:10.13031/2013.40671

Cited by 43 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Four iterations of 500 simulations each for the two basins were run using years 2007 and 2008 as the calibration years. The calibration period was similar to other studies that have implemented SWAT within the Coastal Plains [14,19,20]. The calibrated values from the fourth iteration were used in the validation iteration of 500 simulations for years 2010 and 2011.…”

Section: Swat Model Simulations and Swat-cup Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The application of SWAT in low-gradient regions with extensive groundwater-surface water interactions, such as the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain, has increased in recent years, but it remains an underdeveloped area of study. Models in this region have resulted in varying degrees of accuracy in predicting hydrologic processes such as streamflow [3,4,[14][15][16][17][18][19], runoff [4,14,20], and potential and/or actual evapotranspiration rates [4,18]. Difficulties specifically associated with modeling Coastal Plain watersheds arise due to the flat topography, extensive groundwater-surface water interactions, as well as the seasonal variations and physical and temporal heterogeneity in precipitation and evapotranspiration rates within these environments [3,4,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating SWAT Model Performance for Runoff, Percolation, and Sediment Loss Estimation in Low-Gradient Watersheds of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Mapes

Pricope

2020

Hydrology

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With predicted alterations in climate and land use, managing water resources is of the utmost importance, especially in areas such as the United States (U.S.) Coastal Plain where extensive connections exist between surface and groundwater systems. These changes create the need for models that effectively assess shifting hydrologic regimes and, in that context, we examine the performance of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in a low-gradient, shallow-aquifer-dominated watershed of the U.S. Coastal Plain using a gridded reanalysis dataset. We evaluate accuracy, uncertainty, and parameter sensitivity by comparing observed and predicted streamflow at two gaging stations and assess model predictions for yearly average runoff (SURQ), percolation (PERC), and sediment loss (SYLD). Streamflow performance was acceptable during calibration (NSE = 0.67 and 0.60) and very good during validation (NSE = 0.84 and 0.91). Model predictions for SURQ, PERC, and SYLD coincided with expected ranges for this region. Parameters related to shallow aquifer properties or groundwater were highly sensitive, which indicates the need for continued study of spatial and temporal variability within the sub-surface components of these hydrologic systems. Our findings highlight the applicability of this reanalysis dataset for modeling hydrologic processes in poorly gaged watersheds and adds to the body of research that seeks to develop effective assessment tools for shallow-aquifer-dominated systems. Our methodology can effectively assist watershed managers in establishing baseline rates of hydrologic processes as is crucial with future predicted shifts in hydrologic regimes due to land-use alteration and climate change.

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Section: Swat Model Simulations and Swat-cup Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating SWAT Model Performance for Runoff, Percolation, and Sediment Loss Estimation in Low-Gradient Watersheds of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Mapes

Pricope

2020

Hydrology

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“…For a vast majority of watersheds (approximately 30 inland watersheds), the models showed R 2 = [0.45, 0.68], NRMSE = [0.07, 0.1], and WI = [0.45, 0.68] for the calibration and validation datasets at daily time step, respectively. The performance of the models for the rest of the SAG region was assessed to be satisfactory based on the findings of several other studies conducted in various parts of the SEUS, such as Virginia [58], the coastal plain of southwestern Georgia [97], low-gradient watersheds in South Carolina [98], etc.…”

Section: Streamflow Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Climate Forecasts with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for High-Resolution Hydrologic Simulations and Forecasts in the Southeastern U.S.

et al. 2018

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This study provides high-resolution modeling of daily water budget components at Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)-12 resolution for 50 watersheds of the South Atlantic Gulf (SAG) region in the southeastern U.S. (SEUS) by implementing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in the form of a near real-time, semi-automated framework. A near real-time hydrologic simulation framework is implemented with a lead time of nine months (March–December 2017) by integrating the calibrated SWAT model with National Centers for Environmental Prediction coupled forecast system model version 2 (CFSv2) weather data to forecast daily water balance components. The modeling exercise is conducted as a precursor for various future hydrologic studies (retrospective or forecasting) for the region by providing a calibrated hydrological dataset at high spatial (HUC-12) and temporal (1-day) resolution. The models are calibrated (January 2003–December 2010) and validated (January 2011–December 2013) for each watershed using the observed streamflow data from 50 United States Geological Survey (USGS) gauging stations. The water balance analysis for the region shows that the implemented models satisfactorily represent the hydrology of the region across different sub-regions (Appalachian highlands, plains, and coastal wetlands) and seasons. While CFSv2-driven SWAT models are able to provide reasonable performance in near real-time and can be used for decision making in the region, caution is advised for using model outputs as the streamflow forecasts display significant deviation from observed streamflow for all watersheds for lead times greater than a month.

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“…As currently defined the 3 rd order (1:24,000 scale) system at the gauging station, "Turkey Creek" (WS 78) is located within the USGS quadrangle maps of Huger (NE), Bethera (SE), Shulerville (SW and SE), and Ocean Bay (NW and NE) at 33˚08'N latitude and 79˚47'W longitude (approximate coordinate ranges of 610,400 to 628,600 easting and 3,658,500 to 3,670,500 northing [30]) in Berkeley County about 60 km northeast of the City of Charleston, South Carolina (SC), USA (Figure 1). Located within a 4 th level 8-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC 03050201) of the Cooper River sub-basin [28], watershed WS 78 is at the headwaters of East Cooper River, a major tributary of the Cooper River draining to the Charleston Harbor System [31].…”

Section: Watershed Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turkey Creek—A Case Study of Ecohydrology and Integrated Watershed Management in the Low-Gradient Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA

Amatya¹,

Callahan²,

Hansen³

et al. 2015

JWARP

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Water yield, water supply and quality, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem productivity and services are important societal concerns for natural resource management in the 21 st century. Watershedscale ecohydrologic studies can provide needed context for addressing complex spatial and temporal dynamics of these functions and services. This study was conducted on the 5240 ha Turkey Creek watershed (WS 78) draining a 3 rd order stream on the Santee Experimental Forest within the South Carolina Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA. The study objectives were to present the hydrologic characteristics of this relatively undisturbed, except by a hurricane (Hugo, 1989), forested watershed and to discuss key elements for watershed management, including water resource assessment (WRM), modeling integrated water resources management, environmental assessment, land use planning, social impact assessment, and information management. Runoff coefficients, flow duration curves, flood and low flow frequency curves, surface and ground water yields were assessed as elements of the WRM. Results from the last 10 years of interdisciplinary studies have also advanced the understanding of coastal ecohydrologic characteristics and processes, water D. Amatya et al. 793 balance, and their modeling including the need of high resolution LiDAR data. For example, surface water dynamics were shown to be regulated primarily by the water table, dependent upon precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET). Analysis of pre-and post-Hugo streamflow data showed somewhat lower but insignificant (α = 0.05) mean annual flow but increased frequency of larger flows for the post-Hugo compared with the pre-Hugo level. However, there was no significant difference in mean annual ET, potentially indicating the resiliency of this coastal forest. Although the information from this study may be useful for comparison of coastal ecohydrologic issues, it is becoming increasingly clear that multi-site studies may be warranted to understand these complex systems in the face of climate change, sea level rise, and increasing development in coastal regions.

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Evaluating the SWAT Model for a Low-Gradient Forested Watershed in Coastal South Carolina

Abstract: ABSTRACT. Modeling the hydrology of low-gradient forested watersheds on shallow, poorly drained soils of the coastal plain is a challenging task due to complexities in watershed delineation

Cited by 43 publications

References 34 publications

Evaluating SWAT Model Performance for Runoff, Percolation, and Sediment Loss Estimation in Low-Gradient Watersheds of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Evaluating SWAT Model Performance for Runoff, Percolation, and Sediment Loss Estimation in Low-Gradient Watersheds of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Integrating Climate Forecasts with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for High-Resolution Hydrologic Simulations and Forecasts in the Southeastern U.S.

Turkey Creek—A Case Study of Ecohydrology and Integrated Watershed Management in the Low-Gradient Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA

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