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Virtual Beach 3.0.6 Download Page

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Specifications

Current Version:3.0.6
Release Date:February 2016
Development Status:General Release
Development Information:         Release Notes - changes and known deficiencies
Operating System:MS Windows
Development Language:C#

Text Files

File NameFile Description
Virtual Beach 3.0 Read Me TXT file(1 pg, 5 K)                          Important installation and usage information.                    

Download Files

File Type /
Priority
File Name/Format/SizeFile Description
Install /
Required
  Install VB 3.0.6(2 pp, 87 MB) /
Zipped File
Zipped file for version 3.0.6 of the VB application.
Document /
Optional

Virtual Beach v 3.0.6 User Guide

/Adobe Acrobat / 4MB

Virtual Beach User Guide.

WMOST 2.0 Documentation

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v2

The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) is a decision support tool that evaluates the relative cost-effectiveness of management practices at the local or watershed scale. WMOST models the environmental effects and costs of management decisions in a watershed context, which is, accounting for the direct and indirect effects of decisions.

Keywords: Integrated watershed management, water resources, decision support, optimization, green infrastructure

WMOST 2.0 Download Page

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v2.0

Specifications

Software Specifications
Current versionV 2.0
Release dateMarch 2016
Development StatusGeneral Release
Development InformationRelease notes - changes and known deficiencies
Operating SystemWindows
Development LanguageExcel 2010 with Macros, Excel 2013 with Macros

Download Files

Documents
DocumentDescription
Readme(1 pg, 2 K)Installation notes, Text, 3KB
WMOST Theoretical DocumentationPDF, 80pp, 6185KB
WMOST User GuidePDF,  109pp, 11,590KB
Files
File Name / Size / FormatFile Description
WMOST v2.0 Install files(2 pp, 22 MB) Excel 2010WMOST 2.0 tool with blank input and output tables
WMOST Support Files(21 pp, 93 MB)  Excel 2010, PDFWMOST 2.0 Supportfiles subdirectory
WMOST 2.0 Casestudy 100215(1 pg, 25 MB) Excel 2010Casestudy 100215 Halifax, MA setting up a validation run
WMOST 2.0 Casestudy AdjB 100515(1 pg, 33 MB) Excel 2010Casestudy AdjB Halifax, MA setting up scenarios to evaluate management options for least cost solution.
WMOST 2.0 Excel 2013(1 pg, 21 MB) Excel 2013WMOST 2.0 tool as Excel 2013
WMOST 2.0 2013 Performance Fix(1 pg, 11 K) Word 2013Document describing fix to known performance bug in Excel 2013

Bioaccumulation and Aquatic System Simulator (BASS) User's Manual Beta Test Version 2.1. EPA/600/R-01/035

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Barber, M.C. 2001. Bioaccumulation and Aquatic System Simulator (BASS) User's Manual Beta Test Version 2.1. EPA/600/R-01/035  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Athens, GA.

  • Bioaccumulation and Aquatic System Simulator ( BASS ) User's Manual Beta Test Version 2.1 (PDF)(155 pp, 5 MB, April 2001, 600/R-01/035)
    T his report describes the theoretical development, parameterization, and application software of a generalized, community-based, bioaccumulation model called BASS (Bioaccumulation and Aquatic System Simulator). This model is designed to predict the populationand bioaccumulation dynamics of age-structured fish communities that are exposed to hydrophobic organic chemicals and class B and borderline metals that complex with sulfhydryl groups.

United States Meteorological Data: Daily and Hourly files to Support Predictive Exposure Modeling

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Abstract

ORD numerical models for pesticide exposure include a model of spray drift (AgDisp), a cropland pesticide persistence model (PRZM), a surface water exposure model (EXAMS), and a model of fish bioaccumulation (BASS). A unified climatological database for these models has been assembled from several National Weather Service (NWS) datasets, including Solar and Meteorological Surface Observation Network (SAMSON) data for 1961-1990 (versions 1.0 and 1.1), combined with NWS precipitation and evaporation data. Together these NWS products provide coordinated access to solar radiation, sky cover, temperature, relative humidity, station atmospheric pressure, wind direction and speed, and precipitation. The resulting hourly and daily weather parameters provide a unified dataset for use in coordinated exposure modeling. The data files, which include some derived data of use to exposure modeling (e.g., short-grass crop standard evapotranspiration ET ) are publicly available
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(gratis) on EPA's Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM) web site at http://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/meteorological-data . By using observational data for models, “trace-matching” Monte Carlo simulation studies can transmit the effects of environmental variability directly to exposure metrics, by-passing issues of correlation (covariance) among external driving forces.
This report covers a period from May 2, 2001 to December 27, 2004 and work was completed as of December 27, 2004.

3MRA Methodology

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Multimedia, Multi-pathway, Multi-receptor Exposure and Risk Assessment (3MRA)

http://www2.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/3mra-source-code

Abstract:

As a result of their regulatory reform efforts, the Office of Solid Waste (OS) in November 1999 introduced a new open-architecture, multimedia, multi-pathway, and multi-receptor exposure and risk assessment methodology designed to support their Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR). The new modeling system, referred to as the 3MRA technology, is envisioned as the foundation for eventually integrating other regulatory support decision tools in the future. Toward that end, and with the goal of integrating predictive modeling needs across the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) rule-makings and a variety of other agency Program Office regulatory thrusts, there is a need to build upon the 3MRA technology system in several directions. Among these are 1) a collection of science support research activities focused on improving, and making more realistic, some of the existing physical, chemical, and biological processes algorithms found in the current system; 2) adapting the methodology for use at larger spatial scales, or for use in concert with larger spatial scale modeling systems; 3) adding provisions to make the methodology applicable to a variety of related regulatory support problems such as the surface impoundment study and other emerging needs (e.g., mining waste, RCRA Corrective Action, waste management/leaching/modeling, etc.); 4) adding the front-end capability for the user to input data for a specific site; 5) enhancing the technology with more comprehensive uncertainty assessment capabilities; 6) implementing a comprehensive independent testing and validation program; and 7) establishing an easily accessible, Internet-based distribution and support network for the user community.

Objective:

The primary objective of the research program is to develop, test, and apply a multimedia, multi-pathway, multi-receptor exposure and risk assessment modeling system (3MRA) in support of regulatory-based applications.

Background:

This research program has been selected and designed to be explicitly integrated with other EPA Ecosystems Research programs with the overall goal of establishing an integrated approach to multimedia-based exposure and risk assessment. The following discussion provides a brief description of the genesis of this EPA vision in order to provide context for this particular research and development program.

In 1997 EPA's Ecosystems Research program embarked on a four step process to understand and satisfy Agency needs for science-based tools to support increasingly complex assessments of human and ecological exposure and risk.

Step 1 involved the development of a comprehensive view of the integrated system of activities within the Agency that results in the bi-directional flow of knowledge and information between science, on one end of the continuum, and regulation on the opposite end. This effort provided a framework for understanding Agency needs for science-based products and, perhaps more importantly, provided a clear picture of the relationship between and among the myriad of science products developed to ultimately support the Agency's mission. Understanding this relationship has become extremely important due to the increasingly complex questions posed by regulators and the related need to integrate research results across virtually all disciplines in order to provide answers.

Step 2 focused on a formal "needs assessment", the necessary step before pursuing a formal research program. After years of supporting various Program Offices in the conduct of regulatory assessments it became increasingly clear that there was significant common scientific and technological ground emerging among the assessments. Program Offices previously focused on exposures and risks occurring within a single medium of concern were being pushed more and more to consider secondary impacts of contamination originating within their medium of interest. For example, the Office of Air, in the development of their regulations were increasingly criticized for not addressing the transfer to watersheds and waterbodies of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere and the exposures that occur via these additional pathways. The Office of Solid Waste was criticized for assessing only groundwater pathway impacts of land-based disposal units. The reality of an integrated environment was now being expressed through the regulatory process. In an attempt to document this move to holistic or multimedia-based regulatory assessment ERD undertook a study to formally survey the EPA Program and Regional Offices (as well as other Federal Agencies and State Agencies) to determine the exact extent of this emerging common ground. This effort provided a clear picture of the common need for science-based tools to address issues involving the integrated multimedia fate and transport of chemicals in the context of human and ecological exposure and risk assessment.

The next step was to respond to this need. Heretofore, no research and development program was specifically designed to directly link science and regulation with multimedia-based tools. While it was clear that new technologies involving national environmental databases, multimedia models, GIS, uncertainty assessment, etc. were needed it was not so clear exactly what form the technologies would take and to what extent the technologies could be configured for application to multiple clients (EPA Program/Regional Offices, ORD scientists/engineers).

ERD's response was to develop a research program focused on designing, building, testing, and applying modeling-based technologies. These technologies will serve to 1) integrate the results of research efforts throughout the environmental community, and 2) form the bridge that directly links science and regulation. These technologies must : 1) be scientifically current, 2) allow for consistent application of the science across program office assessments, 3) allow user's representing decision makers (i.e., model/database developers) to use the technology as a platform for further development, and 4) be designed to allow for a smooth transition from existing technology (i.e., legacy models) to a much more powerful application of emerging computer-based technologies.

To implement this program ERD has designed an approach that serves both the relatively short-term needs of specific clients (i.e., 2-5 years) and prepares the ground for development of assessment technologies that will serve the same client community, and more, in the future (i.e., 5-15 years out).

The essence of the implementation plan is for ERD to participate intimately in the conduct of three representative assessments and to focus on providing the science and modeling technology. ERD believes that the best way to design a technology is to first work intimately with the eventual user's of the technology in solving real problems. Thus, ERD will be an active participant in these assessments and be accountable for delivering the needed science and technology in a timely manner (i.e., within a timeframe dictated by the client office and it's responsibilities to meet real deadlines). ERD will use these assessments to design and implement prototypes of key technological components (models, databases, software integration tools) that will be needed in the future. From this experience will come the necessary information concerning what common technologies are needed and how best to design and build them in/for the future.

The assessments selected for this program include 1) a site-based national assessment of human and ecological risks posed by the disposal of industrial wastes in land-based units (Multi-media, Multi-receptor, Multi-stressor Risk Assessment - 3MRA), 2) a watershed-based assessment of the assimilative capacity of aquatic systems (Total Maximum Daily Loads - TMDLs), and 3) the assessment of ecosystem sustainability/vulnerability to both chemical and non-chemical stressors (.... - BASE). Interacting with all of the assessment teams will be a computer-based technology team charged with facilitating the design and implementation of software systems that contain the models and databases needed in the assessments and more importantly to extract from these assessments the detailed design requirements for future integrated technologies (this effort is referred to as the Multimedia Integrated Modeling System - MIMS).

Given this background it is the purpose of this research plan to detail activities associated with the future of the 3MRA component of the overall ERD modeling-based research and development program. The 3MRA modeling system is designed to underpin decisions establishing constituent specific exit levels for low risk hazardous wastes that would amend existing regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These amendments are being considered under the general heading of the Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR) originally proposed by OS in December 1995, with a different, underlying model support methodology. Wastes applicable under HWIR were those designated as hazardous because they were listed, or had been mixed with, derived from, or contained the listed wastes. Under the HWIR proposal, waste generators of listed wastes that could meet the new exit level criteria defined by the HWIR methodology, would no longer be subject to the hazardous waste management system specified under Title C of RCRA for those wastes. Basically, this established a risk based "floor" for low risk hazardous wastes that would encourage pollution prevention, waste minimization, and the development of innovative waste treatment technologies. The purpose of the rule-making was to reduce possible over-regulation arising from the older "mixture" and "derived-from" rules promulgated earlier. In a number of cases, wastes were listed on the basis of containing both toxic hazardous constituents and exhibiting one or more of the hazardous waste characteristics that do not relate to chemical toxicity (e.g., ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity). If such a waste still exhibits any characteristic after complying with the exemption criteria proposed in the HWIR, it must continue to be managed as a characteristically hazardous waste. The "mixture" rule and the "derived-from" rule were promulgated as part of the first comprehensive regulatory program for the management of hazardous wastes under RCRA in May of 1980. The mixture rule defined as a hazardous waste any solid waste that is mixed with one or more listed wastes, and the derived-from rule labeled as hazardous waste any solid waste generated from the treatment, storage or disposal of a listed hazardous waste. Both were/are considered important definitions in regulating the disposal of hazardous wastes consistent with reducing risk to human health and the environment; however, since they apply regardless of the concentrations or mobilities of hazardous constituents associated with the solid wastes, the potential for over-regulation is a possibility.

Conceptual Approach:

The conceptual foundation of the technical approach to achieving the HWIR goals is the risk paradigm and the associated relationship between a source of contaminant, its release to and transport through the environment, subsequent contact (i.e., exposure) with human and ecological receptors, and the resulting risk of health effects. The following general statement reflects the most essential features of the technical approach taken to achieve the HWIR objectives.

The HWIR assessment is a screening-level risk-based assessment of potential human and ecological health risks resulting from long-term (chronic) exposure to HWIR chemicals released from land-based waste management units (WMUs) containing currently 'listed' waste streams. The assessment of potential human and ecological health risks is site-based and include, for each site statistically sampled from a national database of WMUs, the simultaneous release of chemicals from the WMU to each environmental medium, the fate and transport of the chemical through a multimedia environment, and the receptor-specific exposures that result. The assessment includes an estimation of the potential exposures, per exposure pathway/receptor, and an estimation of the resulting carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health effects. The end point of the assessment is the establishment of chemical-specific exit levels representing threshold waste concentrations below which the associated waste stream is not considered hazardous and therefore does not require Subtitle C type disposal. The exit levels are applicable to all waste streams and all locations, i.e., nationally.

Specific Approach:

There are five principal activities involved in this task: Model development (science-based), Model development (technology-based), Development of uncertainty assessment methods, Model applications, and Model distribution and user support. The goal of the model development (science-based) activity is to enhance existing and develop new science modules to be contained in the modeling system. Input to this activity will include insights from the conduct of the Model application activity as well as feedback from the user's community (i.e., Program and Regional Office clients and the public). This activity is critical in the context of providing users with a technology that grows in response to the evolving needs of it's users and availability of new science. The goal of the model development (technology-based) activity is to enhance and update the modeling system from a software engineering perspective. To keep the modeling system efficient, user friendly, and Internet aware will require the application of computer science principles on an ongoing basis. Capabilities related to database management, cross-platform simulation, GIS interfaces, etc. will require 3MRA technology developers to remain current with the state-of-the-art related to computer science. The direction for the technology-based model development is coordinated, and eventually integrated, with the larger NEAL-based technology development under the MIMS research area. The goal of the uncertainty assessment activity is to research and develop innovative methods for quantifying uncertainty in the context of performing complex exposure and risk assessments. The uncertainty assessment activity will address issues related to sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis, and model validation. The methods developed within this activity area will be presented to the Model developers (science-based) for incorporation into the 3MRA modeling system. The goal of the model application activity is to establish a modeling team consisting of multimedia modelers and database experts and charge the team with selecting and executing key Agency assessments related to multimedia-based exposure and risk. The primary criteria for selecting assessments will be based on the uniqueness and complexity. These assessments may be site-specific, regional, or national in scale. The purpose of this activity is to apply the 3MRA technology to new and important assessments in order to determine what new modeling capabilities should be added in the future. The goal for the model distribution and user support activity is to establish a computer-based and science-based support system that will provide users with technical support needed to acquire and install the modeling technology and access experts to answer detailed questions related to the science contained in the modeling system. In providing user support it may become necessary to establish a model application support team to go beyond answering individual questions from users and actually engage users in the conduct of their assessments. Finally, it is anticipated that user support will include conducting training courses for users.

Collaboration-based Approach:

Finally, the 3MRA model development will be conducted in conjunction with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense/Corps of Engineers (DOD/COME), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These three agencies have joined EPA in an effort to develop site-scale multimedia modeling technologies that are scientifically defensible and, as important, consistent among the Agencies. This collaborative effort has been ongoing for three years and is anticipated to expand to other agencies in the future. By cooperating, each Agency will be assured that their assessments are facilitated with commonly accepted modeling technologies and also each Agency will directly benefit by each other's model development activities, thus increasing each Agency's modeling capability and reducing, if not eliminating, unnecessary duplication in the context of model development.

Staff involved in 3MRA:

Lead: Gerry Laniak

Others: Justin Babendreier

Further information:

SuperMUSE

Population Models for Stream Fish Response to Habitat and Hydrologic Alteration: the CVI Watershed Tool. EPA/600/R-04/190

Watershed Health Assessment Tools Investigating Fisheries WHAT IF Version 2: A Manager’s Guide to New Features

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Foreword


Streams and rivers provide important ecological services, including habitat for fishes and other organisms, and drinking water supplies, yet these ecosystems are among the most impaired across the country. Management of these ecosystems involves the assessment of probable causes of impairments and remediation/restoration alternatives, as well as forecasting future condition in a scientifically defensible fashion to more effectively protect valued ecosystems. Communities, watershed groups and states require decision support tools for managing the quality of aquatic systems. Community-based environmental management is a long-term goal of the Agency, and providing the methods/tools and technical transfer mechanisms to achieve this goal are critical to the role of ORD. Effective client collaborations are the most efficient means to achieve this result.

This report is the result of collaboration with the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) in which a decision analysis toolkit was produced in order to support management of fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands. Although there are many ecological endpoints that are important indicators of the condition of aquatic communities and their associated watersheds, fish health is arguably one of the most important, since fishability is a principal designated use for surface waters under the Clean Water Act. The approach used here can be applied to aid CVI and other agencies in the management of aquatic resources in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, and may serve as a model for management tools for aquatic systems in other regions.


Virtual Beach 3.0.6 User Guide

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Virtual Beach version 3 (VB3) is a decision support tool that constructs site-specific statistical models to predict fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations at recreational beaches. VB3 is primarily designed for beach managers responsible for making decisions regarding beach closures or the issuance of swimming advisories due to pathogen contamination.

Virtual Beach 3.0.6 Download Page

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Specifications

Current Version:3.0.6
Release Date:February 2016
Development Status:General Release
Development Information:         Release Notes - changes and known deficiencies
Operating System:MS Windows
Development Language:C#

Text Files

File NameFile Description
Virtual Beach 3.0 Read Me TXT file(1 pg, 5 K)                           Important installation and usage information.                    

Download Files

File Type /
Priority
File Name/Format/SizeFile Description
Install /
Required
  Install VB 3.0.6(2 pp, 87 MB) /
Zipped File
Zipped file for version 3.0.6 of the VB application.
Document /
Optional

Virtual Beach v 3.0.6 User Guide

/Adobe Acrobat / 4MB

Virtual Beach User Guide.

WMOST 2.0 Documentation

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v2

The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) is a decision support tool that evaluates the relative cost-effectiveness of management practices at the local or watershed scale. WMOST models the environmental effects and costs of management decisions in a watershed context, which is, accounting for the direct and indirect effects of decisions.

Keywords: Integrated watershed management, water resources, decision support, optimization, green infrastructure

WMOST 2.0 Download Page

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v2.0

Specifications

Software Specifications
Current versionV 2.0
Release dateMarch 2016
Development StatusGeneral Release
Development InformationRelease notes - changes and known deficiencies
Operating SystemWindows
Development LanguageExcel 2010 with Macros, Excel 2013 with Macros

Download Files

Documents
DocumentDescription
Readme(1 pg, 2 K)Installation notes, Text, 3KB
WMOST Theoretical DocumentationPDF, 80pp, 6185KB
WMOST User GuidePDF,  109pp, 11,590KB
Files
File Name / Size / FormatFile Description
WMOST v2.0 Install files(2 pp, 22 MB) Excel 2010WMOST 2.0 tool with blank input and output tables
WMOST Support Files(21 pp, 93 MB)   Excel 2010, PDFWMOST 2.0 Supportfiles subdirectory
WMOST 2.0 Casestudy 100215(1 pg, 25 MB) Excel 2010Casestudy 100215 Halifax, MA setting up a validation run
WMOST 2.0 Casestudy AdjB 100515(1 pg, 33 MB) Excel 2010Casestudy AdjB Halifax, MA setting up scenarios to evaluate management options for least cost solution.
WMOST 2.0 Excel 2013(1 pg, 21 MB) Excel 2013WMOST 2.0 tool as Excel 2013
WMOST 2.0 2013 Performance Fix(1 pg, 11 K) Word 2013Document describing fix to known performance bug in Excel 2013

Managing Watersheds with WMOST

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Managing Watersheds with WMOST (Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool)

The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) allows water-resource managers and planners to screen a wide range of practices for cost-effectiveness in achieving watershed or water utilities management goals, such as meeting projected water demand and minimum and maximum in-stream ecological flow targets.

Presented by Dr. Naomi Detenbeck

Naomi Detenbeck earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. Dr. Detenbeck currently works in EPA’s Office of Research and Development, Atlantic Ecology Division, overseeing projects to evaluate the effectiveness of green infrastructure stormwater BMPs at the small watershed scale, focusing on stream habitat and biological endpoints. She is also project lead for e-Estuary and oversees the development of WMOST.

Managing Watersheds with WMOST Webinar(55 pp, 19 MB, January 22, 2014, 267481)

Citation:

Detenbeck, N. Managing Watersheds with WMOST (Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool). Presented at Safe and Sustainable Water Resources (SSWR) Webinar Series (#1), Narragansett, RI, January 22, 2014.

Description:

EPA’s Green Infrastructure research program and EPA Region 1 recently released a new public-domain software application, WMOST, which supports community applications of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles. See WMOST User Manual and Theoretical Guide records. The application was created with a user-friendly Excel-based interface for data entry and presentation of results in tabular and graphical form. The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) allows water resource managers and planners to screen a wide range of practices for cost-effectiveness in achieving watershed or water utilities management goals such as meeting projected water demand and minimum and maximum in-stream ecological flow targets. WMOST optimizes within a watershed system context, accounting for the direct and indirect cost and performance of each practice. WMOST can be used to (1) identify the most cost-effective mix of management practices to meet projected human demand and in-stream flow standards, (2) understand trade-offs between meeting management goals (e.g., human demand or in-stream flow) and total annual costs, (3) characterize the sensitivity of the solution to input data and parameters (e.g., effects of climate change and resulting changes in runoff and recharge rates on the mix of least-cost practices, the robustness of the recommended mix of practices to a range of cost assumptions). WMOST allows evaluation of over twenty potential management practices and goals related to water supply (demand management practices, surface and groundwater pumping, surface water storage, water treatment plant, potable distribution system leak repair), wastewater (septic systems, wastewater treatment plant, infiltration repair in wastewater collection system), nonpotable water reuse (wastewater reuse facility, nonpotable distribution system), aquifer storage and recharge, interbasin transfer of water and wastewater, land conservation and up to fifteen stormwater management practices including traditional, green infrastructure and LID practices, minimum human demand, and minimum and maximum in-stream flow targets. WMOST calculates the optimal solution based on user inputs of watershed characteristics, human water system characteristics, management practices, and management goals. WMOST was developed in collaboration with US EPA Region 1. The application was refined following input from a Technical Advisory Group composed of watershed modelers, water resource managers, and agency staff. The tool was tested through two case studies, one for the upper Ipswich River watershed in Massachusetts, and the second for the Danvers/Middleton, MA communities. The example paralleled the development of a case study for Massachusett’s Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI) process. Results of the case studies were presented in a workshop with stakeholders at EPA Region 1’s Chelmsford Laboratory, which introduced the concepts of integrated water management, and solicited feedback from potential users on tool usefulness and desirability of features to be added in the future.

Purpose/Objective:

This is the first in a series of webinars for EPA ORD's Safe and Sustainable Water Resources (SSWR) Program. An overview of the Watershed Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) is presented. WMOST is part of a new generation of tools ORD is producing, like the Triple Value Model being created for Narragansett Bay, that enable stakeholders to simultaneously consider ecological, economic, and human benefits in developing sustainable solutions. It integrates existing tools into a decision support system that allows communities to determine costs and benefits of various stormwater management options, including current and projected future land-use, current and proposed stormwater best management practices (both green and gray), options for repairing leaks in the system, interbasin transfers of drinking water or wastewater with neighboring communities, aquifer storage and recharge systems, water conservation strategies, current and future water demand, etc. The system accounts for both capital and O&M costs for different management options. Communities can evaluate a range of options, examining for optimal solutions.

URLs/Downloads:

SSWRWEBINAR_WMOST_012214V2.PPTX

Record Details:

Record Type: DOCUMENT (PRESENTATION/SLIDE)
Completion Date: 01/27/2014
Record Last Revised: 01/27/2014
Record Created: 01/27/2014
Record Released: 01/27/2014
OMB Category: Other
Record ID:  267481

Organization:

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LAB
ATLANTIC ECOLOGY DIVISION
WATERSHED DIAGNOSTICS BRANCH

Keywords:

green infrastructure, watershed, decision support, integrated planning, integrated water resources management, ORD-007245

Gray Tool

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Overview

The Gray tool represents sewer networks and storage-based stormwater control structures. It was developed for the Hydrological Simulation Program-- FORTRAN (HSPF) model users. It uses HSPF’s RCHRES module to model how certain structural best management practices (BMPs) such as detention basins (wet ponds, treatment wetlands, etc.) mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff and associated water quality constituents. The tool is accessible at https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/tmdl-models-and-tools . In its current version, the tool represents open channels and flow control devices (weirs and orifices). The open channel component has five shape choices, and each shape is represented by a depth-area-volume-flow relationship known as hydraulic function table or FTABLE. The available open channel’s shapes are circular, parabolic, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, and natural. Outflow control structures consist of V-notch, sharp-crested, rectangular, and broad-crested weirs, and under-drain and riser pipe orifices. For each channel shape, users can select an open channel with or without a flow control device. In many applications, users select only an open channel, while in other applications they may select an open channel with one or more flow control devices. Note that HSPF allows a maximum of five flow exits in one FTABLE. The gray tool enables HSPF users to extend the model’s application to urban watersheds with sewer system networks.

How to Run Gray Tool

Run the Gray Tool in your web browser.

Detailed information on how to run the program are given in the tutorials https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/2007_07_23_basins_tecnote9.pdf

Java Download

If you cannot see the applet when you open the web page in the browser, go to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html and download the latest Java Runtime Engine (JRE), which is under the Java SE category on the Oracle website. We recommend reading the tutorial before attempting to use the tool.

Contact the Author

For questions and suggestions, please contact Yusuf Mohamoud at mohamoud.yusuf@epa.gov .

Citation of Gray Tool

For citation, please use: Yusuf Mohamoud (2012). HSPF BMP Toolkit. National Exposure Research Laboratory. Athens, Georgia.

Green Tool

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Overview

The Green Tool represents infiltration-based stormwater control practices. The tool was developed for HSPF users. From the tool graphic user interface, it allows modelers to select a BMP type, channel shape and BMP unit dimensions, outflow control devices, and infiltration method. Based on the user selection, the program generates an HSPF-formatted FTABLE. HSPF’s Reach module (RCHRES) represents infiltration BMPs whose specific characteristics are captured by the FTABLE. Infiltration BMPs are source control facilities that capture runoff from small impervious areas such as parking lots or roofs. When designing infiltration BMPs, we recommend the Maryland’s unified stormwater sizing criteria. The unified approach has five specific design objectives:  meet pollutant removal goals (WQv), maintain groundwater recharge (Rev), reduce channel erosion (CPv), prevent overbank flooding, and pass extreme floods. The tool can be used for a single BMP or a treatment train. Users must ensure that the two are linked through the SCHEMATICBLOCK of the User Control Input (UCI) file. Representing most infiltration BMPs in HSPF is straightforward; however, building an FTABLE for some BMPs, such as sand filters, may require several steps. The accuracy in representing a particular BMP depends on a user’s skill. The primary design considerations for any infiltration BMP are ensuring that it has the capacity to store the capture volume and that underlying soil can adequately drain the design’s capture volume within the permissible drainage time. This tool can be accessed at: https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/tmdl-models-and-tools  .

How to Run Green Tool

Run the GreenTool in your web browser.

The tutorial is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/2009_02_17_basinss_tecnote11.pdf .

Contact the Author

For questions and suggestions, please contact Yusuf Mohamoud at mohamoud.yusuf@epa.gov .

Citation

For citation, please use: Yusuf Mohamoud (2012). HSPF BMP Toolkit. National Exposure Research Laboratory. Athens, Georgia.


HDFT Webtool

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Overview

The Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive watershed model capable of simulating water availability and water quality constituents at user-specified spatial and temporal scales. It is used for the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for impaired water bodies. It is the core watershed model in BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution) modeling system. While BASINS offers numerous databases to HSPF users, users often need to create HSPF simulations with data from non-BASINS data sources. Because HSPF requires extensive input data, its Data-Formatting Tool (HDFT) allows users to format that data and import it to a WDM file. HDFT aids urban watershed modeling applications that use sub-hourly temporal resolutions. HDFT was developed for modelers who use Gray and Green tools for stormwater management. Note that the Gray tool is used for urban environments where stormwater usually flows into stormwater system pipes before reaching a local stream, lake, or wastewater treatment plant. The Green Tool is used for green infrastructure systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evaporate, or reuse stormwater to maintain the pre-development hydrology and water quality of urban environments. This tool and the tutorials can be accessed at: https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/tmdl-models-and-tools .

How to Run

Run the HDFT Webtool in your web browser.

Contact the Author

For questions and suggestions, please contact Yusuf Mohamoud at mohamoud.yusuf@epa.gov .

Citation

For citation, please use: Yusuf Mohamoud (2012). HDFT Webtool. National Exposure Research Laboratory. Athens, Georgia

History and Generality of Aquatox

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The History and Generality of AQUATOX, a Robust Mechanistic Model

In 1990 aquatic fate, toxicology, and ecosystem submodels were coupled to “close the loop,” representing both direct and indirect effects; the  model is also a platform to which other environmental stressors may be added for extensive analysis.

Model Performance Evaluation and Scenario Analysis (MPESA) Tutorial

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Abstract

This tool consists of two parts: model performance evaluation and scenario analysis (MPESA). The model performance evaluation consists of two components: model performance evaluation metrics and model diagnostics. These metrics provide modelers with statistical goodness-of-fit measures that capture magnitude only, sequence only, and combined magnitude and sequence errors. The performance measures include error analysis, coefficient of determination, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, and a new weighted rank method. For HSPF users, this tool replaces the functionalities of the outdated GenScn (Generation and Analysis of Simulation Scenarios) program.

Citation

Mohamoud Y.M. Model Performance Evaluation and Scenario Analysis (MPESA) Tutorial.
US EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington DC, EPA/600/B-16/080, 2016

WMOST 3.0 Download Page

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v3.0

Specifications

Software Specifications
Current versionV 3.0
Release dateFebruary 2018
Development StatusGeneral Release
Development InformationRelease notes - changes and known deficiencies
Operating SystemWindows
Development LanguageExcel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016 with Macros

Download Files

Documents
DocumentDescription
WMOST V3 README(1 pg, 928 B)Installation notes, Text, 1KB
WMOST V3 Theoretical DocumentationPDF, 158pp, 7838KB
WMOST V3 User GuidePDF,  88pp, 4400KB
Files
File Name / Size / FormatFile Description
  Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool v3(1 pg, 7 MB, 02/12/2018, EPA/600/C-18/001) Excel 2016WMOST 3.0 tool as Excel 2010, 2013, 2016 with macros
Hydroprocessor x86(3 pp, 188 K) ExecutableHydroprocessor (x86)
Hydroprocessor 64bit(3 pp, 188 K) ExecutableHydroprocessor (64bit)
Watersheds Maps(13 pp, 7 MB) Zipped PDFWatersheds Maps
Batch Hydroprocessor x86(3 pp, 188 K) ExecutableBatch Hydroprocessor (x86)
Batch Hydroprocessor 64bit(3 pp, 188 K) ExecutableBatch Hydroprocessor (64 bit)
EDM WMOST Database Inventory(1 pg, 37 K) ExcelEDM WMOST Database Inventory

WMOST 3.0 Documentation

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Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) v3

The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) is a decision support tool that facilitates integrated water management at the local or small watershed scale. WMOST models the environmental effects and costs of management decisions in a watershed context that is, accounting for the direct and indirect effects of decisions.

Keywords: watershed, management, integrated water resources management, optimization, WMOST, green infrastructure, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, conservation, decision-support, cost-benefit, water resources, Nitrogen and Co-pollutants, ORD-022694

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