Understanding the relationship between waste loading and water quality is paramount to watershed planning. The stakeholders can learn the relationships through the consensus module.
The consensus module displays the spatial distribution of pollutant loading on the map utilizing data from the engineering module. There are two options for reviewing loading: Regional Loading and Source Contributions. In both cases, simulation results are averaged over the entire simulation period and presented in bar charts scattered across the map. Each bar in each bar chart has a number below it which corresponds to an open scenario listed in the key in the loading dialog.
Regional loading is divided into point sources (magenta) and nonpoint sources (green). There is one bar chart for each colored area on the map representing point and non-point discharges from the land to waterbodies within that colored area. This display shows where pollutants enter water bodies throughout the watershed.
Source contributions shows the breakdown of the sources of a water quality constituent within the water body pointed to by the red line. The portion of a constituent which was discharged from reservoirs upstream is shown in cyan (turquoise).
In both cases, the loading charts show total loading of dissolved and adsorbed constituents combined.
To add a bar chart at a particular location in the watershed, click on a river or reservoir segment when viewing loading and answer “yes” when prompted. To remove a bar chart, click on the river or reservoir segment pointed to by the red line and answer “yes” when prompted.
To view loading in spreadsheet form, double-click on any of the bar charts to view the numbers used to create that bar chart. For Regional Loading, the spreadsheet breaks loading down to individual land uses and other sources. When the “Loading per Area” is checked, the loading for each land use relative to area is shown, but loading not associated with any particular land use is excluded.
Stakeholders should confirm the amount and location of point sources and arrange field trips to observe them. Stakeholders should examine the non-point source pollution load and visit sites such as farms, forests, and city storm sewers. Most non-point source pollution is introduced to waterways during rain, so it is difficult to observe the pollution loading directly.