Overview: This project is being conducted by a collaborative team of watershed researchers from University of Missouri, University of Kansas, Texas A&M. Michigan State University, USDA Agricultural Research Service, The Nature Conservancy, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The overarching project is to develop SWAT/SWAT+ models at multiple spatial scales and extents within the UMRB and use those models to predict and or extrapolate discharge, and sediment and nutrient loads at individual stream channels represented by the National Hydrography Dataset Plus V2 (NHD+). Based on the SWAT outputs, fish species response to water quality and quantity will be statistically modeled to characterize stream condition. These hydrologic and statistical models will then be used to analyze real-world construct scenarios on water quality.

Project Objectives:

1. 1. Develop a multi-scalar integrated, watershed modeling framework that captures high-resolution stakeholder land use/land management response while also being nimble enough to be applied to a large geographic area and executed repeatedly.

1. 2. Enhance the aquatic biophysical process modeling capability of the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT or / SWAT+) watershed model such that it reflects a) near-channel sources of sediment and nutrients and b) models primary nutrient transformations occurring in aquatic components including but not limited to; denitrification, assimilation, senescent release, and P sorption-desorption.

1. 3. Develop NHD+ level SWAT+ model for the UMRB utilizing the National Agroecosystems Model and enhancing near-stream and aquatic biophysical processes. The model will be subject to additional calibration, validation and refinement specific to the objectives of CEAP Wildlife.

1. 4. Develop models that can be used to predict selected riverine biological endpoints based on SWAT output variables and other relevant watershed and local catchment variables.

1. 5. Predict the effects of various potential agricultural conservation scenarios on fish populations and habitat. Several levels of additional conservation practice adoption will be simulated to predict policies that may improve fish communities. Scenarios with no conservation and no agriculture (background conditions) will also be simulated.

1. 6. Build an online decision support tool that illustrates the results of model results and agricultural conservation scenarios at multiple scales to both illustrate landscape patterns and plan conservation action on the ground. This tool will be designed by stakeholder users for maximum use.

7.  Develop and implement an outreach and communication strategy for maximizing use of project results by stakeholders for conservation planning. This task will involve dedicated local outreach in target watersheds as well as traditional communications to publicize release of the conservation planning tool.