Development of a mathematical hydrologic model of Santa Gertrudis Creek Wetlands in Kingsville, Texas

This thesis describes a mathematical hydrologic model of Santa Gertrudis Creek Wetlands in Kingsville, Texas. An one dimensional representation of the wetland surface was selected to develop this model.; Precipitation, infiltration, interception, evapotranspiration, flow from an adjacent treatment plant, flow from Santa Gertrudis Creek and the combined outflow from the wetlands are the essential hydrologic phenomena for these wetlands.; Each of these hydrologic phenomena was represented by a specific equation. The values of the variable parameters in the equations were determined by sensitivity analysis. After selecting the values of the parameters a quadratic equation was derived. This equation represents the relationship between the depth of water in the channels and the change in the volume of water storage per unit time in the Santa Gertrudis Creek wetlands for the period of February-April. Using the data obtained from the field and the laboratory, the model was run for a year.; The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a nutrient cycling model of the wetlands.