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Predicting the Downstream Impacts of Headwater Burial in Kemptville Creek Watershed (Ontario) Using the Swat Model

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Predicting the Downstream Impacts of Headwater Burial in Kemptville Creek Watershed (Ontario) Using the Swat Model PREDICTING THE DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS OF HEADWATER BURIAL IN KEMPTVILLE CREEK WATERSHED (ONTARIO) USING THE SWAT MODEL by Emily Bronwyn Su A thesis submitted to the Department of Geography and Planning in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Queen’s University Kingston Ontario, Canada (May 2020) Copyright ©Emily Bronwyn Su, 2020 i Abstract Headwater streams can compose up to 80% of the total stream length within a watershed but remain most susceptible to stream burial during land use change or management. Rerouting streams into tile drains, canals, non-perforated pipes and paving over, are all examples of stream burial. This study explores the importance of delineating headwater streams within a watershed hydrological network and the downstream impacts of headwater burial. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to predict changes in discharge, chlorophyll a, DO and sediment for downstream ecosystems, following headwater stream burial. Within the study area of Kemptville Creek subwatershed of the Rideau River Watershed in Kemptville and surrounding area, Ontario, Canada, 908 headwater stream segments totaling 443km of stream length were delineated from a 10-hectare threshold. Model calibration was significantly improved with the inclusion of delineated headwater streams, increasing R2 by 0.49. Headwater streams were confirmed with field observations in 70% of 30 selected headwater stream sites. Headwater streams were classified based on land use disturbance coefficients and potential downstream organic subsidy contribution. Each headwater class saw 100% stream burial through conversion into irrigation canals using SWAT model. Headwater stream burial was also applied to all headwater streams as one collective group at 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) samples from Rideau Valley Conservation Authority were assessed using the Family Biotic Index (FBI) OBBN metric and Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index. Predicted discharge, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen (DO) and sediment inputs were compared against the OBBN community structure, at 7 sample sites. Headwater stream burial results indicated significant decreases in discharge, chlorophyll a, DO and sediment to downstream ecosystems. Headwater stream burial within wetlands representing 33% of the headwaters within Kemptville Creek, had the most significant impact on downstream discharge, ii chlorophyll a, DO and sediment. Changes for these variables correlated with several benthic macroinvertebrate families, which supported predictions of community structure shifts following headwater stream burial. Results from this work highlight the importance of headwater streams to ecohydrology within watersheds and contributes to the understanding of ecosystem response as hydrologic regimes are altered following stream burial. iii Acknowledgements First and foremost, I wish to thank Dr. Neal A. Scott. As my supervisor Dr. Scott introduced me to systems modelling and guided me through a rewarding learning process that has evolved my passion for ecosystem management and holistic thinking. I would also like to thank Dr. Joseph D. White who provided his expertise on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool and the biological component of my project. I wish to thank Jennifer Lamoureux from Rideau Valley Conservation Authority for partnering with me and allowing me to utilize data for my project. I would also like to thank Les Stanfield for his guidance and insight on research surrounding headwater streams. Financial assistance for my research was provided by Queen’s University and NSERC through the Discovery Grant program and the NSERC LEADERS CREATE program. And finally, thank you to my husband, family and friends for supporting and encouraging and having patience throughout my research. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................x List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1 – Introduction .................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 1.2 Importance of Headwater Streams .................................................................................2 1.3 Surrounding Land use Impacts ......................................................................................2 1.4 Modelling Hydrological Systems ..................................................................................4 1.5 Research Objectives .......................................................................................................5 1.6 Study Area .....................................................................................................................6 1.7 Thesis Outline ...............................................................................................................7 Chapter 2 – Literature Review .........................................................................................................8 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................8 2.2 Drainage Systems...........................................................................................................8 2.3 Functions of Headwater Streams ..................................................................................9 2.3.1 Physical Structures of Headwater Streams .....................................................9 2.3.2 Chemical Functions of Headwater Streams ..................................................10 2.3.3 Biological Functions of Headwater Streams.................................................11 2.4 Modelling Watersheds .................................................................................................12 2.5 References ....................................................................................................................15 Chapter 3 – Simulating downstream impacts of headwater stream burial for Kemptville Creek watershed predicted by SWAT model ..........................................................................................20 3.1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................20 3.2 Introduction ..................................................................................................................21 3.3 Material and Methods ..................................................................................................23 3.3.1 Study Area ....................................................................................................23 3.3.2 SWAT Model ................................................................................................26 3.3.4 Data ...............................................................................................................28 3.3.5 SWAT Model Calibration and Validation ....................................................31 3.3.6 SUFI-2...........................................................................................................33 3.3.7 Headwater Stream Delineation Confirmation ..............................................37 3.3.8 Scenarios .......................................................................................................38 3.4 Results ..........................................................................................................................40 3.4.1 Headwater Stream Delineation Confirmation ...............................................40 3.4.2 Calibration and Validation ............................................................................41 3.4.3 Scenario Results ............................................................................................46 3.5 Discussion ....................................................................................................................48 3.5.1 Prediction Headwater Streams Using SWAT ...............................................48 v 3.6 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................50 3.7 References ....................................................................................................................52 Chapter 4 – Predictions of downstream benthic macroinvertebrate communities by analysis of chlorophyll a, sediment and DO following headwater stream burial ............................................55 4.1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................55 4.2 Introduction ..................................................................................................................56 4.2.1 Chlorophyll α ................................................................................................58
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