Simulation of Riparian Zones with SWAT

Workshop held at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa,
September 9-10, 2004

Workshop objectives

  1. Present overviews of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM), and riparian/buffer zone systems
  2. Review previous attempts to simulate riparian zones in SWAT and current developments focused on improving SWAT’s riparian zone simulation capabilities
    a) incorporation of distance functions that account for riparian zone effects
    b) approach initiated that is based on incorporating landscape units in SWAT
    c) current status of plant parameter development, existing data gaps, etc.
  3. Establish plan for completion of the SWAT riparian zone component that would include REMM components
Presentations (in Microsoft PowerPoint)
Development of SWAT Plant Parameters Jim Kiniry USDA-ARS, Grassland, Soil and Water Research Lab, Temple, TX
The Importance of Watershed Modeling for Conservation Policy Cathy Kling, Mike Burkart, and Gene Takle ISU-CARD; USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Lab, Ames, IA; and ISU Agronomy Dept.
REMM: Riparian Ecosystem Management Model Richard Lowrance USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Research Lab, Tifton, GA
Overview of Riparian Buffers and Other Conservation Practices Tom Isenhart ISU-Natural Resources and Ecology Dept.
SWAT Watershed Modeling and GIS Applications
SWAT Riparian-Flood Plain Model
Jeff Arnold USDA-ARS, Grassland, Soil and Water Research Lab, Temple, TX
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Reaching and Doubling the USDA buffer Initiative program on Water Quality C. Santhi, J.D. Atwood, J. Lewis, S.R. Potter, and R. Srinivasan Blacklands Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M Univ., Temple, TX

Links of Interest:
Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Model
Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM)
Riparian Zone Demonstration Sites
Developed by the Iowa State University Agroecology Team

The workshop was sponsored by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, the Endowment Agroecosystems Initiative of the Department of Agronomy, and the USDA Forest Service North-Central Research Station.