SWAT Literature Database for Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Title:Application of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool and annualized agricultural non-point source models in the St. Joseph River Watershed 
Authors:Heathman, G.C., D.C. Flanagan, M. Larose and B.W. Zuercher 
Year:2008 
Journal:Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 
Volume (Issue):63(6) 
Pages:552-568 
Article ID: 
DOI:10.2489/jswc.63.6.552 
URL (non-DOI journals): 
Model:SWAT 
Broad Application Category:hydrologic and pollutant 
Primary Application Category:model and/or data comparison 
Secondary Application Category:pesticide, antibiotic and/or PFAS fate and transport 
Watershed Description:708 km^2 Cedar Creek Watershed, a tr8ibutary of the St. Joseph River located in northeastern Indiana, U.S. 
Calibration Summary: 
Validation Summary: 
General Comments: 
Abstract:This study evaluated the performance of two water quality models in accordance to specific tasks designated in the USDA Agricultural Research Service Conservation Effects Assessment Project. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) models were applied uncalibrated to the Cedar Creek watershed within the St. Joseph River watershed in northeastern Indiana to predict streamflow and atrazine losses. In order to ultimately assess the benefits of conservation practices in agricultural watersheds (which is one of the major goals of the Conservation Effects Assessment Project), proper application of the SWAT and AnnAGNPS models is essential including baseline comparisons made in an uncalibrated mode aimed at eliminating bias due to parameter optimization. Streamflow prediction results show that SWAT model performance was superior to AnnAGNPS, with SWAT model efficiency values ranging from 0.66 to 0.25 and AnnAGNPS model efficiency values ranging from 0.13 to -2.06 for monthly and annual streamflow, respectively. For uncalibrated conditions, neither model was able to adequately simulate atrazine loss concentrations. Overall results suggest that for Conservation Effects Assessment Project modeling applications at the Cedar Creek watershed scale in this study, the use of the SWAT model would be preferable to AnnAGNPS in terms of overall model performance and model support technology (e.g., model interface and documentation). 
Language:English 
Keywords:Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source(AnnAGNPS); atrazine; Conservation Effects Assessment Project(CEAP); hydrologic modeling; Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT); streamflow; water quality