COLLEGE STATION–The Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas A&M University department of biological and agricultural engineering will present a watershed modeling workshop Feb. 27-28 at the Centeq Building on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.
A watershed modeling workshop focused on load duration curves and the use of the SELECT and BASINS modeling tools will be the held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Feb. 27-28 at the Centeq Building on the Texas A&M University campus. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
The workshop will include hands-on instruction regarding load duration curves and the use of the Spatially Explicit Load Enrichment Calculation Tool, or SELECT, and Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources tool, also called BASINS. Sessions will be in Lab 212 of the building, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Feb. 27 and from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.
“This two-day class is for individuals developing watershed protection plans and total maximum daily loads to estimate pollution sources and loads to rivers,” said Dr. Kevin Wagner, associate director of the Texas Water Resources Institute.
The institute is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
Load duration curves give a graphical representation of stream flow and pollutant loading so that real data can be compared to a stream’s maximum allowable load, explained coordinators. SELECT provides a spatially explicit analysis of land use, land cover, animals, humans and other variables in watersheds to help assess actual and potential sources of bacteria.
During the workshop, associate professor Dr. R. Karthikeyan and graduate research assistant A. Virani, both of Texas A&M’s biological and agricultural engineering department, will provide lectures on the use of load duration curves to assess pollutant loads. They will also instruct on the use of the modeling systems to target priority areas for pollution remediation and for integrating geographic information systems, national watershed data and the newest environmental assessment tools.
“Participants will gain hands-on experience in the use of these tools,” Wagner said. “The course will include discussions on gathering data to populate these models and how modeling is critically linked with watershed-based planning efforts.”
The registration fee of $150 includes refreshments, lunch on both days, course materials and a certificate of completion.
One Texas Water Resources Institute continuing education unit will be available to those who successfully complete the course.
For more information about watershed modeling, go to http://select.tamu.edu/.
For more information in the workshop or to register, go to http://watershedplanning.tamu.edu/training/.
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