Abstract

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Paper
Integrating GIS and Erosion Modeling: A Tool for Watershed Management
Track: Water Resources
Author(s): David Wachal, Kenneth Banks

More than 30,000 new oil and gas well sites are constructed throughout the United States each year. Every site disturbs several acres of land, increasing the potential for accelerated soil loss. It is important to understand how these sites impact the quality of stormwater runoff and how these impacts can be minimized through effective site planning and management. This research integrates GIS and field-scale water quality modeling to assess the impacts of oil and gas development on water quality in the Hickory Creek watershed in North Central Texas. A methodology is presented to demonstrate how ArcGIS can be applied to support an external erosion model, assess sediment yields at the watershed scale, and be used as an effective watershed planning tool. The planning tool estimates erosion impacts based on topography, soils, adjacent land cover, and proximity to a stream, which is used to develop water quality management strategies for future sites.

David Wachal
City of Denton
Water Administration
901-A Texas Street
Denton , TX 76209
US
Phone: 940-349-7107
Fax: 940-349-7334
E-mail: david.wachal@cityofdenton.com

Kenneth Banks
City of Denton
Division of Environmental Quality
901-A Texas Street
Denton , TX 76209
US
Phone: 940-349-7165
E-mail: kenneth.banks@cityofdenton.com