VALIDATION OF WATER-QUALITY MODEL FOR SENECA RIVER, NY

The validation of a water-quality model for the Seneca River, a deep, stratifying, slow-moving river located in central New York, is documen ted. Model validation is supported by comprehensive field monitoring a nd kinetic experiment programs, and a mass-transport model. The river is severely impacted by the inflow from ionically polluted hypereutrop hic Onondaga Lake. Chemical-based density stratification is induced in the river, and attended by violations of dissolved oxygen (DO) and fr ee ammonia standards in the ower layer of the river. The model perform ed well in matching DO depletions in the lower layer of the river, and diurnal variations in DO. Model projections demonstrate DO standards can only be met by eliminating chemical stratification in the river. T he water-quality model is to be used to support regional planning of d omestic waste treatment and disposal, including diversion of a major d ischarge to the river.