United States Environmental Protection Agency	Office of Research and Development

National Exposure Research Laboratory
Research Abstract

Government Performance Results Act Goal: Clean and Safe Water

Significant Research Findings:

Complete Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Modeling
Application and Sampling Procedures

Scientific Problem The Hydrologic Simulation Program - FORTRAN (HSPF) is a principal
and Policy Issues	model currently recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency's Office of Water for watershed analyses for Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDL) development (Bicknell et al. 1997). The research
developed a new hydrodynamic and sediment transport model for HSPF
which makes HSPF more versatile and comprehensive for evaluating
sediment transport within stream/river networks. Sampling procedures
for collecting the requisite sediment data for performing the sediment
transport modeling have also been developed. This research contributes
to the development of modeling protocols for sediment TMDLs in
support of the Clean Water Act.

Research Approach The existing sediment transport and flow routines in HSPF are simple

routing modules and, as such, are limited to steady, uni-direction flows.
The approach used to develop a new stand-alone one-dimensional (1-D)
hydrodynamic and sediment transport model include:

1)	developing and testing a stand-alone 1-D model which
simulates the flow of water and transport of sediments,

2)	developing a post-processing program for visualization of the
simulated flows and changes in the stream bed resulting from
deposition and/or scour of sediments,

3)	incorporating the new 1-D hydrodynamic and sediment
transport model into HSPF, and

4)	describing the sampling procedures for collecting the sediment
transport data necessary to perform sediment transport
modeling in streams/rivers.

The new hydrodynamic and sediment transport model, EFDC1D, the
supporting post-processor, the integration of EFDC1D into HSPF, and
sampling procedures for sediments in streams are briefly described
below.

Results and
Implications

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•	EFDC1D — This is a new 1-D hydrodynamic and sediment
transport model that can be applied to stream networks
(Hamrick 2001). The model code, two sample data sets, and the
User Manual are included on the distribution CD in Hayter et
al. (2001). EFDC1D can simulate bi-directional unsteady flows
and has the ability to accommodate unsteady inflows and
outflows associated with upstream inflows, lateral inflows and
withdrawals, groundwater/surface water interaction,
evaporation, and direct rainfall. The model also includes
representation of hydraulic structures such as dams and culverts.
For sediment transport, the model includes settling, deposition,
and resuspension of multiple size classes of cohesive and non-
cohesive sediments. The bed is represented by multiple layers
of mixed sediment classes. A bed consolidation model is used
to predict time variations of bed depth, void ratio, bulk density,
and shear strength. The sediment bed representation is
dynamically coupled to the cross-sectional area representation
to account for area changes due to deposition and resuspension.

•	GenScn — The interactive computer program GENeration and
analysis of model simulation SCeNarios (GenScn), developed
by Kittle et al. (1998), was modified to read an EFDC1D output
file containing simulated time series of parameters such as
water surface elevation, temperature, salinity, discharge, cross-
sectional area and wetted perimeter, concentrations of
suspended cohesive and non-cohesive sediment, and average
bed shear stress at each computational cell. Time series plots of
these parameters can be generated for any computational cell.
The modified version of GenScn is also included on the
distribution CD.

•	Another task in this proj ect was to develop and integrate the
ERDC1D hydrodynamic and sediment transport model into
HSPF to provide a more valid flow/sediment transport
modeling tool for development of TMDLs in watersheds that
experience significant nonpoint source impacts. Integration of
EFDC1D with HSPF is feasible, requiring additional study to
determine the advisability and method of integration and
requiring additional 1-D model code testing and refinement. A
bridge or linkage program was developed to reformat the output
of HSPF for input to the stand-alone EFDC1D model. This
linkage program is also included on the distribution CD.

•	To perform sediment transport modeling, a comprehensive set

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of sediment data must be collected/measured in the water body
to be modeled. A generic field study work plan, including
sediment sampling procedures, is given as an example of the
type of field study that should be performed to collect these
data.

These models will be distributed and supported through the EPA Center
for Exposure Assessment Modeling http://www.epa.gov/ceampubl.

These new modeling tools will be useful to states and EPA regions for
developing sediment TMDLs for impaired streams and rivers.

Research	Examples of recent publications from this study include:

Collaboration and

Publications	Bicknell, B.R., hnhoff, J.C., Kittle, J.L., Jr., Donigian, A.S., Jr., and Johanson, R.C.

"Hydrological Simulation Program - FORTRAN, User's Manual for
Release 11" (EPA/600/R-97/080). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
National Exposure Research Laboratory, Athens, GA. 1997.

Hayter, E.J., Hamrick, J.M., Bicknell, B.R., and Gray, M.H. "One-Dimensional
Hydrodynamic/Sediment Transport Model for Stream Networks,"
Technical Report, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National
Exposure Research Laboratory, Athens, GA. 2001.

Hamrick, J. "EFDC1D, A One Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport
Model for River and Stream Networks - Model Theory and Users Guide,"
Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia. 2001.

Kittle, J.L., Jr., Lumb, A.M., Hummel, P.R., Duda, P.B., and Gray, M.H. "A Tool for
the Generation and Analysis of Model Simulation Scenarios for
Watersheds (GenScn)," U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources
Investigations Report 98-4134, 1998.

Future Research	The integration of EFDC1D with HSPF should be undertaken if

additional resources become available. Demonstration and evaluation
of EFDC1D is planned by applying this model to the Housatonic River
in Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2002.

Questions and inquiries can be directed to:

Earl J. Hayter, Ph.D.

US EPA, Office of Research and Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Athens, GA 30605-2700

Phone: 706/355.8303
E-mail: hayter.earl@epa.gov

Contacts for

Additional

Information

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