Water Science & Technology Vol 21 No 2 pp 223–228 © IWA Publishing 1989

Assessment of the Impact of Land Use on Recreational Waters Using Mathematical Models

J. C. Bennett

Mathematical models were used to assist in quantifying the impact of changing land use on the recreational waters of Pumicestone Passage. Runoff, washoff, hydrodynamic and water quality models were firstly calibrated and then used to predict levels of dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and E.coli in the Passage for two future land development scenarios. The models provided valuable tools for understanding the system response to non-point source pollutant loadings and assessing alternative scenarios. They indicated that planned development to the year 2000 would not result in significant water quality deterioration while extreme development is likely to do so to the extent of prejudicing some water uses.

Keywords Water quality; modelling; non-point source pollution; Pumicestone Passage.

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