Modeling through the Murky Water: An Investigation of Reoccurring Turbidity Impairments in Oklahoma, 2002–2020
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
The Clean Water Act of 1972 mandates that states must maintain a water quality standard to ensure fishable and swimmable surface waters. Waterbodies exceeding physical, biological, or chemical water quality standards must be reported semiannually to the USEPA per section 303(d) as threatened or impaired. States must then develop and implement a watershed plan for the listed waterbodies with the intent to reduce pollution, return to acceptable water quality parameters, and delist the waterbody. This research analyzed Oklahoma’s 303(d) lists from 2002 to 2020 and determined that 408 individual surface waterbodies were impaired for turbidity. Turbidity management is commonly accomplished with best management practices (BMPs) due to its nonpoint source nature. BMPs can require large upfront costs or increased maintenance and often need coordination from multiple stakeholders; thus, it is imperative that BMPs are effectively implemented and maintained for continued pollution reduction. Further analyses of Oklahoma’s 303(d) list identified 82 waterbodies that had been listed, delisted, and relisted for turbidity impairments within the study period. Three of these watersheds were modeled for the 18-year period using the hydrologic and water quality system (HAWQS). Three watersheds, Wewoka, Turkey, and Stillwater, were selected based on size, ecoregion, and documented management efforts. A baseline model was run to analyze historic sediment contributions in each watershed. Five of the most common landuses were then assessed individually to find their impacts on total sediment loss as well as variations in erosivity between watersheds. This research aimed to assess where sediment loading was highest, the potential impact of BMPs on sediment loading, and the adequacy of current design standards in a changing climate.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
Pages: 1583 - 1594
History
Published online: May 16, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Bodies of water (by type)
- Coasts, oceans, ports, and waterways engineering
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Environmental engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic structures
- Pollution
- River engineering
- River systems
- Sediment
- Standards and codes
- Stormwater management
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Turbidity
- Water and water resources
- Water management
- Water pollution
- Water quality
- Water treatment
- Watersheds
- Waterways
Authors
Metrics & Citations
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