A combined watershed-water quality modeling analysis of the Lake Waco reservoir: II. Watershed and reservoir management options and outcomes

Joseph D. White, Shane J. Prochnow, Chris T. Filstrup, Bruce W. Byars

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, calibrated watershed and reservoir models are used to explore a range of possible watershed conditions and potential management options to reduce available nutrients and algal growth in the Lake Waco reservoir. The management options are divided between watershed and reservoir options. The watershed management options include wetland construction, manure haul-off, agriculture conversion to pasture, absolute nutrient retention in the watershed and control of urban nutrient run-off. For the reservoir, management options of phosphorus inactivation and increased algal consumption by grazers were evaluated. For all individual management scenarios, only complete conversion of agricultural lands into rangeland decreased nutrient levels and algae growth significantly and achieved target levels for chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus. Combined management scenarios including wetland construction, manure haul-off from dairy operations and increased in-reservoir herbivory could further reduce chlorophyll-a and nutrient values, but with less efficiency than agricultural conversion alone. The management option study showed that decreasing nutrient inputs and water clarity were important factors for controlling algal growth in Lake Waco, and that substantial reduction in total phosphorus is needed to achieve target conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-167
Number of pages9
JournalLake and Reservoir Management
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • CE-Qual-W2
  • Lake Waco
  • SWAT
  • TP
  • chl-a
  • management
  • reservoir
  • water quality
  • watershed

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