Simple Optimization Method to Determine Best Management Practices to Reduce Phosphorus Loading in Echo Reservoir, Utah
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 139, Issue 1
Abstract
This study develops and applies a simple linear optimization program to identify cost-effective best management practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus loading in Echo Reservoir, Utah. The optimization program tests the feasibility of proposed total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocations based on potential BMP options and provides information regarding the spatial redistribution of loads among sub-watersheds. The current version of the TMDL for Echo Reservoir allocates phosphorus loads to existing non-point phosphorus sources in different sub-watersheds to meet a specified total load. Optimization results show that it is feasible to implement BMPs for non-point sources in each sub-watershed to meet reduction targets at a cost of $1.0 million. However, relaxing these targets can achieve the overall target at lower cost. The optimization program and results provide a simple tool to test the feasibility of proposed TMDL allocations based on potential BMP options and can also recommend spatial redistributions of loads among sub-watersheds to lower costs.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Carl Adams and Kari Lundeen from the Utah Division of Water Quality for the information they provided, comments, and feedback.
References
Adams, C., and Whitehead, J. (2006). “Echo reservoir TMDL water quality study.” Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality—Division of Water Quality, Salt Lake City, Utah. 〈http://www.waterquality.utah.gov/TMDL/Echo_Reservoir_TMDL.pdf〉 (Apr. 7, 2010).
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Maringanti, C., Chaubey, I., and Popp, J. (2009). “Development of a multiobjective optimization tool for the selection and placement of best management practices for nonpoint source pollution control.” Water Resour. Res., 45, 1–15.
Veith, T., Wolfe, M., and Heatwole, C. (2004). “Cost-effective BMP placement: Optimization versus targeting.” Trans. ASAE, 47(5), 1585–1594.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 139 • Issue 1 • January 2013
Pages: 122 - 125
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 28, 2011
Accepted: Dec 29, 2011
Published online: Jan 2, 2012
Published in print: Jan 1, 2013
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