Integrated use of GIS-based field sampling and modeling for hydrologic and water quality studies

Enrique R. Vivoni, Kevin T. Richards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Enhancements to traditional catchment-scale water quality assessments can be realized by leveraging geographical information systems (GIS) for both field data collection and hydrologic and water quality (H/WQ) modeling. In this study, we describe a GIS-based data collection system for geo-referenced environmental sampling utilizing mobile, wireless and Internet technologies. Furthermore, sampled field data is combined with historical measurements within a GIS-based semi-distributed watershed model for simulating water quantity and quality in a large regional catchment. The GIS-based sampling and modeling system is intended to streamline water quality assessments as compared to current practices. We describe an application and field study in the Williams River, New South Wales, Australia designed to assess the impacts of point and non-point source pollution on water quality. Historical data were utilized for calibrating and validating the Hydrologic Simulation Program – Fortran (HSPF) with the BASINS GIS interface over the 1988–2000 period. Results from the study indicate that short-duration, spatially extensive field campaigns provide useful data for enhancing modeling studies based on historical measurements at sparse sites. In addition, the study suggests that the conjunctive use of data collection and modeling is a step towards real-time integration of field data in hydrologic and water quality modeling efforts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)235-250
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Hydroinformatics
Volume7
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Field data collection
  • Geographic information systems
  • Hydrologic modeling
  • Mobile computing
  • Software
  • Water quality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Atmospheric Science

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