Water is a fundamental human right supporting life, health, and livelihoods. Yet water-related issues are ranked among the top five global economic risks (WEF, 2020). About two-thirds (4 billion) of the world's population live with severe water scarcity for at least one month, of which about 48% live in both India and China (Mekonnen et al., 2016). In Côte d'Ivoire, the Bandama River, one of the largest in the country, has struggled to meet expected demand, causing recurrent water and electricity shortages. The city of Bouaké in Côte d'Ivoire and neighboring towns experienced a severe water shortage in 2018 with the drying up of the water supply reservoir (Loka along the Bandama River), affecting 70% of the population causing difficult economic and social conditions. To fully understand this dimension of water scarcity in the Bandama watershed, this study models current water availability using SWAT and assesses the current watershed system in Cote d’Ivoire. Model calibration and validation performances were suboptimal. However, the model gave important information about the dominant process and the critical areas of the watershed. This information guided the development of strategies to build resilience in the water supply system through institutional and stakeholder-driven approaches.

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The Stormwater Management and Design Aid (SMADA) is a computer model formulated to assess stormwater runoff quantity and quality. Applicable theory is reviewed to introduce a discussion of the modeling methodology. A pre- vs. post-development design objective can be incorporated to evaluate runoff quantity and quality for single or multiple land use watershed. Detention and retention facilities are considered and conveyance systems for runoff transmission can be sized. Initial design assessments and consistent design review and evaluation are possible. SMADA is written in the BASIC language and is executed in the interactive mode. No computer cards are required and data input is quite self-explanatory. The model is easily adaptable to table-top mini-computers.

High levels of fecal indicator bacteria (e.g. E. coli) are the leading cause of identified surface water impairments in the United States. The US Clean Water Act of 1972 requires that jurisdictions establish priority rankings for impaired waterways and develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan for each. Although past research indicates that the risk of illness to humans varies by source of fecal contamination, current watershed assessments are developed according to total concentration of indicator bacteria, with all sources weighed equally. A stochastic model using Quantitative Microbial Risk assessment (QMRA) principles to translate source-specific (e.g. human, livestock) daily average concentrations of E.coli into a daily average risk of gastroenteritis infection was developed and applied to Pigg River, an impaired watershed in southern Virginia. Exposure was calculated by multiplying a ratio of source related reference pathogens to predicted concentrations of E.coli and a series of qualifying scalars. Risk of infection was then determined using appropriate dose response relationships. Overall, human and goose sources resulted in the greatest human health risk, despite larger overall E.coli loading associated with cattle. Bacterial load reductions specified in the Pigg River TMDL were applied using Hydrological Simulation Program- FORTRAN (HSPF) to assess the effect these reductions would have on the risk of infection attributed to each modeled bacterial source. Although individual risk sources (neglecting geese) were reduced below the EPA limit of 8 illnesses per 1000 exposures, the combined risk of illness varied between 0.006 and 64 illnesses per 1000 exposures. / Master of Science

Multijurisdictional agreements among local and regional authorities have emerged as an effective way to manage Virginia’s watersheds. These agreements generally result in the development of goals and objectives for the watershed environment, and the implementation of various strategies designed to achieve these goals. Successful agreements often result in stabilized or improved water quality in the region. The Environmental Protection Agency has developed the Watershed Protection Approach and recommended it to manage water quality. While accepted, the Approach has not been well demonstrated in practice. Ten Virginia case studies are conducted to determine (1) if the Approach is represented in the program components and (2) if the components are effective in achieving program objectives. The case studies were developed through document review and interviews with program personnel, including local and regional agencies and non-governmental organizations. Critical components of these multijurisdictional approaches are identified and compiled to assist other regions and localities in their watershed management programs. The EPA Approach identifies four relevant watershed management features; however, these are general and do not describe nor clarify its potential implementation. This thesis four categories corresponding to critical components of watershed management programs identified in the case studies, which illustrate and expand on EPA’s Approach, particularly its implementation: institutional framework and planning, stakeholder involvement, implementation strategies, and monitoring. These case studies demonstrate that regional policies and plans provide the necessary institutional framework; that participation of key stakeholders, especially those involved in implementation is critical in plan development; that local implementation land-use strategies including both regulatory and non-regulatory land-use measures, and structural and non-structural land practices, are most effective in achieving regional watershed management objectives; and that monitoring is needed to measure effectiveness and can effectively engage non-governmental groups and citizen volunteers. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

With increasing urbanization and population growth, humankind faces multiple environmental challenges. Stresses on limited resources, especially water resources, are now greater than ever before. Watershed monitoring and management are important components of programs to abate water resource stresses. The increasing water quantity and quality monitoring has produced a need for better data management techniques to manage the vast amount of watershed monitoring data being observed. These data must be stored, error checked, manipulated, retrieved and shared with the watershed management community. The web-based data visualization and analysis technology has played a critical role in all aspects of watershed management. Especially in recent years, computer-assisted data analysis has matured enormously. This maturing technology makes web-based visualization and analysis technology change its role to become an integrated system which combines applications of databases, and internet technology. The main objective of this study is to develop a prototype system which has ability of data visualization and analysis. Microsoft SQL Server is used to build a comprehensive database, which includes all datasets collected by OWML. A Web-Based Data Visualization and Analysis System which provides an integrated interface for permitted users to explore, analyze and download data has been developed. / Master of Science

The development of Watershed Management Plans (WMPs) in urban areas aids municipalities in allocating resources, engaging the public and stakeholders, addressing water quality regulations, and mitigating issues related to stormwater runoff and flooding. In this study, 63 urban WMPs across the nation were reviewed to characterize historical approaches and identify emerging trends in watershed planning. Planning methods and tools were qualitatively evaluated, followed by statistical analyses to identify correlations between planning factors. Plans developed by a municipality or consultant were correlated to higher occurrences of hydrologic modeling and site-specific recommendations, and lower occurrences of characterizing social watershed factors. Trends in the use and selection of hydrologic, hydraulic, and pollutant load models were identified, specifically in the past decade. Project prioritization was found to increasingly focus on feasibility in implementation. Additional qualitative trends identified include an increased focus on water quality and interdisciplinary studies, public participation, responsiveness to water quality regulations, and risk aversion. The study concludes by envisioning future watershed planning trends. This state of the practice review of planning efforts, innovation in implementation, and the adoption of emergent technologies will aid future planners in employing current tools and strategies in the development of new WMPs. / Master of Science / Watershed-based management has long been used as the preferred approach for protection of water resources at a hydrologic, ecological, and social level. The development of Watershed Management Plans (WMPs) in urban areas aids municipalities in allocating resources, engaging the public and stakeholders, addressing water quality regulations, and mitigating issues related to stormwater runoff and flooding. The processes and tools used in watershed management planning are ever-evolving based on improved technologies, changing regulations, and social trends. In this study, 63 urban WMPs across the nation were reviewed to characterize historical approaches as well as identify emerging trends in watershed planning. Planning methods, tools of analysis, and recommended strategies were qualitatively evaluated to determine trends in the planning process, followed by statistical analyses to identify correlations between planning factors and methodologies. Plans developed by a municipality or consultant were correlated to higher occurrences of hydrologic modeling and site-specific recommendations, and lower occurrences of characterizing social watershed factors. Trends in the use and selection of hydrologic, hydraulic, and pollutant load models were identified, specifically in the past decade. Project prioritization was found to increasingly focus on feasibility in implementation. Other qualitative trends identified include an increased focus on water quality and interdisciplinary studies, public participation, responsiveness to water quality regulations, and risk aversion. The study concludes by envisioning future watershed planning trends. This state of the practice review of planning efforts, innovation in implementation, and the adoption of emergent technologies will aid future planners in employing current tools and strategies in the development of new WMPs.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [1]-[10])