Waste load allocation for a macrophyte growing impoundment: A combined modeling approach

A waste load allocation study was performed for the Matchaponix Brook-Duhernal Lake system, where both free flowing and impounded reaches exist. In an impounded area, macrophytes can play an important role affecting water quality whereas no discernible effects are usually observed in free flowing reaches. Due to the nature of the study system, two models were combined to assess the probable impact on receiving water quality caused by an upstream treated wastewater discharge. The collected water quality and flow data were used to determine the critical ambient conditions. The study demonstrated how the macrophytes growing in the downstream impounded area respond to the upstream waste loads.