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Modeling of Dissolved Oxygen in the Houston Ship Channel Using WASP5 and Geographic Information Systems

By Jennifer Benaman, M.S.E., Neal E. Armstrong, Ph.D, and David R. Maidment, Ph.D

ABSTRACT

The goal of this research was the establishment of a connection of an existing water quality model to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The water quality model investigated was the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP5), while the actual linkage was performed using object-oriented and FORTRAN programming. The study area chosen to implement this GIS/WASP5 interface was the Upper Houston Ship Channel, which has a history of poor water quality caused by industrial inputs and non-point source loadings from the city of Houston. Initially, the information required for a simple steady state BOD/DO model in the Upper Houston Ship Channel was digitally represented in GIS. In addition, the non-point source loadings into the Houston Ship Channel were determined using a grid-based model developed in GIS. Afterwards, scripts were written in the ArcView programming language, Avenue, in order for ArcView to perform the following tasks: (1) write the input file information, (2) format the input information into the proper WASP5 file, (3) execute the WASP5 subprogram for BOD/DO modeling and model calibration, (4) process the WASP5 output, and (5) assist the user in output visualization. This connection is limited by model complexity, computer speed, and Avenue programming constraints.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRONT MATTER...(33 KB)
Title Page
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table Of Contents
List Of Tables
List Of Figures
List Of Procedures

1. INTRODUCTION...(84 KB)
1.1 Background
1.2 Need for Study
1.3 Objective
1.4 Scope
1.5 Contribution to Knowledge

2. LITERATURE REVIEW...(38 KB)
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Environmental Modeling Using GIS
2.3 Previous GIS/WASP Model Connections

3. DATA SETS...(7.6 MB)
3.1 Data Formats
3.2 Obtaining a Digital Database

4. METHODOLOGY...(6.7 MB)
4.1 Study Area
4.2 Channel Segmentation
4.3 Non-point Source Loads
4.4 Point Source Loads
4.5 WASP5 Model Development
4.6 GIS/WASP5 Connection

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...(1.4 MB)
5.1 Rainfall/Runoff and Rainfall/Flow Correlation
5.2 Watershed Delineation
5.3 Non-point and Point Source Loadings
5.4 Model Calibration
5.5 BOD/DO Model Results
5.6 Model Sensitivity
5.7 WASP5/GIS Connectiion
5.8 Output Presentation

6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...(17 KB)

APPENDICES...(319 KB)
Appendix A : Data Dictionary
Appendix B : Projection File: geoalb.prj
Appendix C : Programs, Macros, and Procedures
Appendix D : WASP5 Input Files
Appendix E : Examples of Free Form Text Files Generated by Avenue
Appendix F : Avenue Scripts Used for ArcView/WASP5 Connection
Appendix G : Help File for ArcView/WASP5 Connection
Appendix H : Houston Ship Channel Water Quality Data
Appendix I : List of Acronyms and Nomenclature

BIBLIOGRAPHY...(20 KB)