Keywords
watershed modeling, hydrologic/water quality (h/wq) modeling, model evaluation, nitrogen, sediment, object modelling system
Start Date
1-7-2012 12:00 AM
Abstract
AgroEcoSystem-Watershed (AgES-W) is a modular, Java-based spatially distributed model which implements hydrologic/water quality simulation components under the Object Modeling System Version 3 (OMS3). The AgES-W model was previously evaluated for streamflow and recently has been enhanced with the addition of nitrogen (N) and sediment modeling components refactored from various agroecosystem models including J2K-S, SWAT, WEPP, and RZWQM2. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the enhanced AgES-W model for uncalibrated estimation of streamflow and N/sediment loading. The Upper Cedar Creek Watershed (CCW) in northeastern Indiana, USA was selected for model application. AgES-W model performance was assessed using Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (ENS) and percent bias (PBIAS) model evaluation criteria. Comparisons of simulated and observed average monthly streamflow, average monthly N loading, and daily sediment load for different simulation periods resulted in ENS and PBIAS values that were within the range of those reported in the literature for SWAT streamflow and N/sediment loading predictions at a similar scale and time step. Considering that AgES-W was applied without calibration, study results indicate that the model reasonably reproduced the hydrological, N, and sediment dynamics of the Upper CCW and should serve as a foundation upon which to better quantify additional water quality indicators (e.g., phosphorus dynamics) at the watershed scale.
AgroEcoSystem-Watershed (AgES-W) Model Evaluation for Streamflow and Nitrogen/Sediment Dynamics on a Midwest Agricultural Watershed
AgroEcoSystem-Watershed (AgES-W) is a modular, Java-based spatially distributed model which implements hydrologic/water quality simulation components under the Object Modeling System Version 3 (OMS3). The AgES-W model was previously evaluated for streamflow and recently has been enhanced with the addition of nitrogen (N) and sediment modeling components refactored from various agroecosystem models including J2K-S, SWAT, WEPP, and RZWQM2. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the enhanced AgES-W model for uncalibrated estimation of streamflow and N/sediment loading. The Upper Cedar Creek Watershed (CCW) in northeastern Indiana, USA was selected for model application. AgES-W model performance was assessed using Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (ENS) and percent bias (PBIAS) model evaluation criteria. Comparisons of simulated and observed average monthly streamflow, average monthly N loading, and daily sediment load for different simulation periods resulted in ENS and PBIAS values that were within the range of those reported in the literature for SWAT streamflow and N/sediment loading predictions at a similar scale and time step. Considering that AgES-W was applied without calibration, study results indicate that the model reasonably reproduced the hydrological, N, and sediment dynamics of the Upper CCW and should serve as a foundation upon which to better quantify additional water quality indicators (e.g., phosphorus dynamics) at the watershed scale.
