U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District GRAND RIVER SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODELING STUDY P repared by: W.F. BAIRD & ASSOCIATES LTD. MADISON, WI MAY 23, 2007 Baird USACE - Detroit District Grand River Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office Sediment Transport Modeling Study Grand River Sediment Transport Modeling Study For further information please contact James P. Selegean, P.E, PhD.: (313) 226-6791 In reference, this document should be cited as: USACE, Detroit District, Grand River Sediment Transport Modeling Study, May 2007. This report was prepared by W.F. Baird & Associates, Ltd. for USACE Detroit District. The material in it reflects the judgment of Baird & Associates in light of the information available to them at the time of preparation. Any use which a Third Party makes of this report, or any reliance on decisions to be made based on it, are the responsibility of such Third Parties. Baird & Associates accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any Third Party as a result of decisions made or actions based on this report. USACE – Detroit District Grand River Watershed Model Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office User Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose of Study .............................................................................................................................1 1.2 Watershed Description ...................................................................................................................1 1.3 Hydrologic & Sediment Analyses ..................................................................................................3 1.4 Grand River Watershed Modeling System ...................................................................................3 1.5 Report Outline.................................................................................................................................4 2.0 DATA COLLECTION ...................................................................................5 2.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Summary of Stakeholders’ Meeting ..............................................................................................5 2.3 Previous Studies ..............................................................................................................................6 2.4 Data Sources ....................................................................................................................................6 2.4.1 Precipitation Data...................................................................................................................7 2.4.2 Discharge Data .......................................................................................................................7 2.4.3 Suspended Sediment Data ......................................................................................................7 2.5 GIS Data.........................................................................................................................................11 2.6 Field Data Collection Summary...................................................................................................17 2.6.1 Grand River Baseline Survey ...............................................................................................18 3.0 PRELIMINARY ANALYSES AND WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION ..... 20 3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................20 3.2 Land Use History and Analysis....................................................................................................20 3.2.1 Historic Land Use Change ...................................................................................................20 3.2.2 Land Use Breakdown by Subbasin.......................................................................................25 3.3 Riparian Buffer Analysis..............................................................................................................31 3.3.1 Introduction to Buffer ..........................................................................................................31 3.3.2 Comparison of LU Breakdown in Subbasins with Buffer Zones........................................31 3.3.3 GIS Calculation of Required Buffer Widths by Subbasin for Entire Watershed for Effective Sediment Removal..................................................................................................................33 3.3.4 Aerial Photo Analysis of Riparian Buffer Extent for Selected Subbasins..........................34 3.4 Analysis of Watershed Hydrologic Alteration............................................................................38 3.4.1 Flashiness Analysis ..............................................................................................................39 3.4.2 Baseflow Analysis .................................................................................................................39 3.4.3 Results and Discussion .........................................................................................................40 3.5 Watershed Geology .......................................................................................................................43 3.6 Grand River Watershed Sediment Delivery ...............................................................................46 USACE - Detroit District Table of Contents Grand River Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office Sediment Transport Modeling Study 3.6.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................46 3.6.2 Known Sediment Sources, Scour and Deposition Areas .....................................................48 3.6.3 Sediment Yield and Sediment Delivery in the Grand River Watershed ..............................50 4.0 WATERSHED-SCALE HYDROLOGY AND SEDIMENT DELIVERY SIMULATION USING SWAT...................................................................... 53 4.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................53 4.2 SWAT Model Description ............................................................................................................53 4.2.1 SWAT Model Background....................................................................................................54 4.2.2 Characterization of Processes Using SWAT........................................................................54 4.2.3 ArcView SWAT Interface - AVSWAT..................................................................................55 4.3 Grand River SWAT Model ..........................................................................................................56 4.3.1 Model Development ..............................................................................................................56 4.3.2 Model Calibration.................................................................................................................61 4.3.3 Model Validation ..................................................................................................................62 4.3.4 Model Output Description ....................................................................................................67 4.3.5 Model Results........................................................................................................................68 4.3.6 Model Limitations.................................................................................................................70 4.3.7 Future SWAT Developments................................................................................................70 5.0 ILLUSTRATION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES............................ 71 5.1 Introduction to BMP Modeling....................................................................................................71 5.2 SWAT BMP Modeling..................................................................................................................72 5.2.1 Dams & Reservoirs as Sediment Traps................................................................................72 5.2.2 Conservation Tillage.............................................................................................................73 5.2.3 Filter Strips ...........................................................................................................................74 5.3 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................76 6.0 SUMMARY................................................................................................ 77 6.1 Existing Conditions .......................................................................................................................77 6.2 SWAT Model.................................................................................................................................78 6.3 BMPs ..............................................................................................................................................79 7.0 REFERENCES..........................................................................................