Calibration of QUAL2E water quality model for the North Saskatchewan River near Prince Albert.

摘要

A QUAL2E stream water quality model was calibrated for the North Saskatchewan River near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan for use as a predictive tool to assist in simulating the effects of climate change on water quality. Two separate validation exercises verified the ability of the calibrated model to simulate concentrations of the following parameters under different conditions: biological oxygen demand; dissolved oxygen; organic nitrogen; total phosphorus, and, temperature. An uncertainty analysis, using the first order error method, showed model input parameters representing headwater and point source loading to be the dominant contributors to output variability. Recommendations to improve model calibration and reduce output variability, prior to use of the model, include conducting a comprehensive water quality survey on the North Saskatchewan River with a stringent QA/QC program and improvement of the existing monitoring program to more accurately measure the distribution and concentration of water quality parameters across the river.