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The University of Tennessee, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), is evaluating the validity of the hydrological model Better Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS).

BASINS/GIS integrates a geographic information system (GIS), national watershed data, and state-of-the-art environmental assessment and modeling tools into one package. Simulations of pollutant loading and transport with the BASINS model can be useful in developing Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs, and determining where best management practices (BMP) would be most effective. Two East Tennessee watersheds were selected for this study: Pond Creek in Loudon County and Crooked Fork-Emory in Morgan County. The primary streams running through both watersheds are listed as only partially supporting their designated use according to the Tennessee 303d list of impaired waterways prepared by TDEC. Dairy and beef pasture systems are the predominant agricultural activities in Pond Creek. Crooked Fork-Emory has a mixed (forestry and urban) land use.

During 2001, water quality in the streams was monitored. Analysis was performed on monthly grab samples for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediments and pathogens. Field data including flow rate, water temperature, air temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity was recorded at eight sampling sites. The data obtained from these will be used to determine the appropriate data inputs needed by the BASINS model to predict pollutant loading in east Tennessee watersheds and to compare the effectiveness of different BMPs in reducing the nutrient and pathogen loading in these watersheds.