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Modeling conservative contaminant effects on reservoir water quality
Author(s) -
Jeznach Lillian C.,
Tobiason John E.,
Ahlfeld David P
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.5942/jawwa.2014.106.0062
Subject(s) - environmental science , water quality , outflow , inflow , hydrology (agriculture) , current (fluid) , contamination , bathymetry , environmental engineering , meteorology , oceanography , geology , geography , ecology , geotechnical engineering , biology
The Wachusett Reservoir in central Massachusetts was modeled using the two‐dimensional CEQUAL‐W2 hydrodynamic and water quality model to simulate a conservative contaminant spill from a roadway and analyze contaminant behavior at the Cosgrove drinking water intake 12.5 km (7.8 mi) from the spill site. Modeled calendar years 2003–09 were developed using meteorology, bathymetry, inflow quantity and quality, and outflow quantity data. Scenarios investigated included the influence of season, spill density, additional water transferred from Quabbin Reservoir, and wind on contaminant transport. Contaminants arrived at the intake much earlier than the mean hydraulic residence time. Contaminant concentrations were greater and more variable during the summer. Turning the Quabbin transfer off decreased the variability in concentration at the intake, especially during the summer. Model results provide useful information to reservoir operators for how to respond to potential contaminant spills under various scenarios.