Locally derived nonpoint loading estimates for the Boeuf River/Bayou Lafourche watershed
There is currently a great demand for data and models that can be used to quantify nonpoint source pollutant loads from different land-use types. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is in the process of implementing management programs for impacted water bodies based on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of a pollutant. Pollutants of concern include total suspended solids (TSS), nitrogen, and phosphorus. One of the key parameters in determining the TMDL of a water body is the nonpoint source pollutant load from different land-use types. To date, such load estimates in Louisiana are lacking. The primary objective of this research is to develop site specific loading estimates for three different land-use types in the study area using flow proportional sampling techniques. These loading estimates will be used with currently available land-use data and published literature values for pollutant loads from different land-use types within the framework of Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) to determine the applicability and sensitivity of available loading estimates. The applicability and usefulness of the simulation model known as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in modeling Boeuf watershed will also be examined. Finally, the performance of three biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) models will be compared using data specific to the Boeuf Watershed and the surrounding area.
BOD, Ouachita River basin, watershed modeling, Nonpoint source pollution
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