GIS Water Quality Simulation Study: Chinchuba Watershed

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to enhance the watershed management plan for St. Tammany parish, LA through development of a model that will account for water quality impacts. Bayou Chinchuba in St. Tammany parish Louisiana is selected for this water quality model. Developed with HSPF (Hydrologic Simulation Program in Fortran), the model is used to calculate NO3, PO4, and BOD loading rates for varying scenarios of land use development. GIS tools are used to determine, visualize, and compare the total loads generated within sub-basins of the watershed based on the model simulation results. With the GIS calculation of NO3, PO4, and BOD total load and visualization enhancement, this tool simulates existing conditions and compares the water quality impact to 2020 expectation values.