A Hydrothermal Study of Wachusett Reservoir with Considerations of Water Quality Management
Abstract
Continual assessment of surface water impoundments is necessary to implement timely decisions with regard to water quality management. The use of mathematical models plays an increasing role as a management tool to quantify the impacts of various management strategies. Nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics are integrally linked to the thermal stratification regime in a reservoir. Thus, modeling the temporal and spatial variability of temperature within a reservoir is a first step toward modeling various water quality kinetics. This study focuses on Wachusett Reservoir which provides approximately forty percent of the water supply to the Boston metropolitan area and serves as a connecting link for the other sixty-percent. The model selected for application is MITEMP, which is a one-dimensional (vertical) hydrothermal model which accounts for surface heat fluxes, entrance mixing, variable withdrawal elevation, internal absorption of solar radiation, effects of wind mixing, and an option for temporally and spatially variable diffusivity. The temperature model was calibrated using 1987 field data and verified using data from 1988. Model theory and sensitivity to different model parameters are presented and the computer code and a typical input data file are included. Alternative management strategies to include selective withdrawal for the reservoir, land use planning in the watershed, and a water quality monitoring plan are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211462
Entities
People
- Robert R. Rooney
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology