Environmental Model of Kissimmee River Basin

A hydrologic land-use model has been developed and applied to the Kissimmee River Basin, Florida. Surface runoff quantity and quality are estimated for changing land-use and drainage patterns in order to explain hydrologic and water quality response along the river. The hydrologic model (HLAND) is based on a daily water balance for each soil land-use type in the watershed. Predicted runoff is routed down the river and compared to measured outflow hydrographs. Phosphorus loading rates are calculated using measured concentrations of total P and predicted runoff volumes. Observed concentrations and loading rates from tributaries along the river correlate well with the drainage density index, defined as the length of drainage network per unit area of watershed. Results indicate that greatest potential for control of runoff quantity and quality exists in on-site storage in marsh, pond, and lake areas.