Application of the CE-QUAL-W2 Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model to Garrison Reservoir, North Dakota
Abstract
A priority water quality management need identified by the Omaha District is the capability to quantifiably assess, with acceptable uncertainty, the affects that operation and regulation of the six Missouri River Mainstem System (Mainstem System) projects have on water quality of the Missouri River and the impounded reservoirs. To meet this need, the Omaha District is applying the CE-QUALW2 Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model to the six Missouri River mainstem reservoirs. The goal is to have linked, fully-functioning CE-QUAL-W2 models in place for all the Mainstem System projects that meets the uncertainty requirements of appropriate decision-makers. This report documents the application of the CE-QUAL-W2 model to Garrison Reservoir in North Dakota. Garrison Dam which impounds Lake Sakakawea operates with a bottom withdrawal which draws cold discharge water from the lake bottom. Repeated years of drought in the Upper Missouri River Basin and the bottom withdrawal have been detrimental to water temperature and dissolved oxygen in the reservoir, negatively impacting the coldwater habitat (CWH) volume as defined by the state of North Dakota. The District developed a CE-QUAL-W2 water quality model for Garrison Reservoir after the completion of the three-year intensive water quality survey to assess CWH volume in the reservoir and to evaluate the effectiveness of several implemented water quality measures including plywood intake barriers, head gate closure, modification of the daily flow cycle and a hypothetical high-level reservoir withdrawal. The reservoir model was configured to compute temperature, dissolved oxygen, and organic nutrients using semi-deterministic algorithms, and it was calibrated to 2003 through 2007 water temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA635419
Entities
Organizations
- Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers