Watershed Characterization System (WCS) and its Modeling Extensions

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Watershed Characterization System (WCS) and its
Modeling Extensions

• Brian Watson
• Tetra Tech Inc.

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What Is WCS?

• Customization and enhancement of EPA BASINS for
  EPA Region 4
• Uses ESRI ArcView-GIS 3.x as a platform
• Desktop system
• Automated characterization report using spatial
  databases
• Differences between BASINS and WCS
• At present, WCS uses only EPA region 4 data, but
  can be customized for any state
• WCS supports various extensions such as Sediment
  tool, Mercury tool, SWMM, NPSM and LSPC
• WCS does not support PLOAD and SWAT

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WCS Uses

• Basic system (core)
• Characterize watersheds
• Evaluate water quality conditions
• Assess potential sources of impairment
• Enhanced system
• Add Extensions which increase WCS capabilities
• In general, WCS is a repository for watershed
  data and assessment tools to support TMDL and
  other environmental programs

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WCS Characterization Reports
Tools
Automated reports
Maps and Tables
Environmental Data
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WCS Extensions
Core watershed data and assessment tools
Extensions

• Additional Menu functions
• Additional Datasets
• Additional System files
• Supported Models

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WCS Extensions

• Models
• Sediment tool
• Mercury tool
• SWMM model GIS interface
• NSPM model GIS interface
• LSPC model
• Utilities
• NHD download tool
• Manual and auto delineation watershed tool
• WRDB extension

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Sediment Tool Overview

• Input

• WCS Core Sediment Tool

• Output

• Erosion Maps
• Sediment Delivery Maps
• Sediment Delivery to
  Assessment Points
• Automated Reports (Maps and Tables)

USLE Equation 4 Sediment Delivery
Methods Transport Routing Algorithm
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Sample Results BMP Erosion - Little River
Watershed K, GA
Before, no BMP, erosion 1032 US tons. Dark
orange color indicates high Erosion.
After, applying a BMP to row crop areas, P
0.65, erosion 851 US tons, an 18 reduction.

BMP area
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Mercury Tool Overview
Algorithms in the WCS Mercury Extension
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Mercury Tool Sample Results
Mercury Loading in Savannah River Basin
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SWMM GIS Interface Overview
WCS GIS VB Interface SWMM Model WCS SWMM
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SWMM GIS Interface Link to PCSWMM
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WCS-LSPC GIS Interface Overview

• WCS automatically prepares LSPC database
  (shapefiles and MS Access tables) for delineated
  watersheds.
• LSPC uses WCS prepared database to generate
  model input files.

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Conclusions

• WCS is an extremely versatile framework for
  environmental databases and models
• WCS (and BASINS) can be customized to many
  different uses beyond just TMDLs

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How to Obtain WCS and Its Extensions
WCS Web Site http//wcs.tetratech-ffx.com
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WCS Web Site
WCS Web Site
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WCS Web Site
Download WCS Documentation
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WCS Web Site
Download WCS Data by Map or HUC
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Demonstration of WCS Extensions

• TN-WCS Extension
• Will show how individual states can customize
  WCS (Tennessee Example)
• Perform a simple watershed characterization with
  Tennessee specific datasets
• WCS to LSPC Extension
• Use Flint Creek Watershed (Alabama) as example