A research study was undertaken to determine the predictive capability of the AGNPS model with respect to surface runoff, peak flow, and sediment yield produced by rainfall-runoff events on a 26 km$ sp2$ watershed in Quebec. Precipitation, stream discharge, surface runoff, and suspended sediment concentrations were monitored for rainfall-runoff events occurring from 1994-96, inclusive. Data describing stream patterns, topography, soil type, and land use were collected and input to the model. / Seven rainfall-runoff events were used for model calibration. Five storms were used to validate the model. Calibration curves were developed to correlate the antecedent precipitation index (API) to the SCS curve number. For model calibration, coefficients of performance of 0.05, 0.43, and 0.12 were obtained for surface runoff, sediment yield, and peak flow, respectively. For model validation, coefficients of performance (CP$ rm sp prime sb{A}$) of 0.02, and 0.01 were obtained for surface runoff, and sediment yield, respectively. Peak flow was generally overpredicted and yielded a CP$ rm sp prime sb{A}$ of 2.07. / A sensitivity analysis showed API and associated curve numbers to be the most sensitive input parameters. USLE factors were also sensitive. The surface condition parameter and Manning's n had negligible influence on model output. The hydrograph shape factor toggle parameter showed extreme sensitivity. / A simulation of best management practices on the basin estimated soil loss reductions of 15 to 25% for storms of varying magnitudes if a 4-year crop rotation implementing conservation tillage were to be adopted.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.27388 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Perrone, Jim T. |
| Contributors | Madramootoo, C. A. (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001572313, proquestno: MQ29763, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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