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Hydrologic models may change land development strategies

A researcher who develops hydrologic models using a tool known as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, or SWAT, hopes that the tool will change the way land is developed.

by Carol Flake

Flooding along the Blanco River in Wimberley in May 2015.
Credit: Steve Overby

A researcher who develops hydrologic models using a tool known as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, or SWAT, hopes that the tool will change the way land is developed, thus helping to prevent flash flooding and improving water quality. Jaehak Jeong, an associate professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, says his tool quantifies the impact of development on water, sediment and contamination flows within large watersheds, and is useful for city planners, landscape architects and developers.

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