Development of a watershed prioritization strategy using remote sensing and the Geographic Resource Analysis Support System. Case study: City of Carrollton, Texas

This study used a geographic information system (GIS) and an empirical pollutant load model to estimate average annual pollutant loads contained in storm water discharges from the City of Carrollton, Texas. The Geographic Resource Analyses Support System (GRASS) was used to create a number of spatial data layers as input variables to a model that estimates loads in Kilograms/Hectare/Year (Kg/Ha/Yr.), and Kilogram/Basin/Year (Kg/Basin/Yr.)). Average annual pollutant loads for twelve pollutants were derived from average annual rainfall/runoff volumes (m;A priority schedule was developed for 135 watershed subareas using loading estimates to provide alternative control strategies based on relative watershed pollution potential. This method is intended to be used as a screening tool that will facilitate the development and prioritization of storm water management strategies based upon the long term estimated pollutant loads, and relative costs of storm water management strategies.