Non-point Evaluation Studies

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• Project Team
  • David J.Graczyk, Hydrologist/Forestry (Team Leader)
  • Steve R. Corsi, Research Hydrologist, Chemistry
  • Rob Waschbusch, Hydrologist
  • William R. Selbig, Hydrologist
  • David W. Owens, Hydrologist
  • Todd D. Stuntebeck, Physical Scientist
  • Judy A. Horwatich, Hydraulic Engineer
  • Mari E. Danz, Hydrologist
  • Austin Baldwin, Hydrologist
  • Matthew J. Komiskey, Physical Scientist
  • Troy D. Rutter, Hydrologic Technician

USGS IN YOUR STATE

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Calibration of the Source Loading and Management Model (SLAMM)

Project Number:  BQY24
Project Chief: Judy A. Horwatich
Project Topics:  xxxc
Cooperators: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Period of Project: July 2001–Continuing

Problem

Wisconsin municipalities are using urban runoff models to help them prepare stormwater management plans. Planners and engineers use the models to identify the most important sources of pollutants and quantify the benefits of different management alternatives. The Source Loading and Management Model (SLAMM) is one of the models recommended for stormwater planning by the WDNR.

All watershed models should be calibrated before they are applied. Large errors in flow and pollutant concentrations can result if the model is not adjusted as much as possible to the places it will be used. In most cases the municipalities will not have the resources to collect the necessary flow and pollutant concentration data. Fortunately, enough stormwater data has been collected to adjust SLAMM for use by municipalities in Wisconsin.

Objectives

The objective of the project is to calibrate and verify the SLAMM model with the stormwater flow and pollutant concentration data available from urban studies conducted in Wisconsin.

Approach

The USGS in Wisconsin has collected flow and pollutant concentrations from source areas and at the end of the pipe for several projects. Land use and development characteristics, such as percent connected imperviousness, were determined for each study area. All the above information is needed to calibrate and verify SLAMM.

There are three steps involved in calibrating SLAMM:

1. First, the predicted runoff volumes should be adjusted to match the values observed at the end of the pipe.
2. Second, the predicted particle solids loads should be adjusted to match, as much as possible, the observed particle solids loads at each sites.
3. The last step is to calibrate pollutant loads, such as total and dissolved sediment, nutrients, metals, and organics.

All the files created by the calibration are placed on the USGS SLAMM Web pages. There is a link from the WDNR Web page to the USGS Web page.

Progress

The model is being calibrated and verified on settling devices and street sweeping. The model will be used to help write the WDNR technical standards. Files are available on the USGS Wisconsin SLAMM Web pages.

Plans

Complete calibration and verification modeling on settling devices and street sweeping. The street dirt accumulation routines for street dirt have been modified. New street dirt delivery files will be developed and made available on the web. Review runoff curves and concentration data for streets, lawns and parking lots.

Publications and Reports

Website - Parameter and Standard Land Use Files for Wisconsin