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Objectives
The goal of this project is to
develop effective modeling tools to assess ecosystem restoration
plans and develop benchmarks for the ecological restoration in the
Lake Calumet area. Specific objectives are:
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To develop water quality simulation component of
the SWMM model for watershed and stream than can be used as a
basis for determining the best water quality management
strategies for the Lake Calumet Cluster Site and the adjacent
open spaces it affects: Indian Ridge Marsh, Big Marsh, Heron
Pond, and Dead Stick Pond.
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To develop a flow and solute transport model for
groundwater system in the area, particularly the Cluster Site,
and couple it to SWMM to simulate the surface and groundwater
interactions.
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To evaluate the water quality and ecological
impacts of different remedial options proposed for the Cluster
Site as well as other upland properties in the marsh watersheds,
using the modeling tools
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To develop benchmark plans which include a
combination of various measures in achieving water quality
targets Plans to accomplish project goal(s).
Methodology
Work plans to achieve the
objective include data collection, model establishment, model
calibration and verification, and model applications. The
modeling tools will be used to test particular restoration plans and
designs, conduct scenario analysis for research questions, and
develop benchmark for ecosystem restoration. Particularly, the
simulation models will be integrated with an optimization algorithm
to develop benchmark-optimized land uses and flow controls for
ecological restoration of the study areas. Uncertainty
analysis will be conducted through all modeling procedures from
model calibration to result analysis.
Rationale
The project addresses the pressing
environmental problems in an important area in the Great Lake
region, following many finished or ongoing major projects. We
attempt to address the gaps between past or ongoing studies and
decision making, problem solution for the restoration of the study
area, by developing modeling tools, which will not only be
complementary to the environmental observation systems in the area
but also provide evaluating or predicting functions for future
conditions. A reliable flow and water quality simulation model is
still urgently needed by management authorities and stakeholders in
order to address the outstanding ecological and water quality
problems in the Lake Calumet area and many other areas with similar
situations. Therefore, this project is expected to contribute
to the long-range improvement in the sustainability of the National
Sea Grant Program. |
