Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis and Modeling Advances: Connecting Climate Resilience, Socio-Environmental Systems, and Holistic Watershed Management

Deva K. Borah, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, Senior Engineer, City of Chesapeake, Public Works Department

After the release of the ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 150: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development and Implementation – Models, Methods, and Resources, in February 2022, the Task Committee on EWRI TMDL Analysis and Modeling continues its work to advance the state-of-the-practice in TMDL development and implementation planning and address emerging issues. The committee is documenting its work in a Special Collection of Articles in the Journal of Environmental Engineering. The following articles are currently in progress:
  • Advancing Watershed Modeling for TMDL and Holistic Watershed Management Including Climate Change Impacts
  • Receiving Waterbody Model for TMDL – Advancing the State of the Practice
  • Integration of the Climate Assessment Module in TMDL Models
  • Advances in Watershed and Receiving Water Models for Simulating PFAS
  • Advances in TMDL Implementation Planning by Modeling Best Management Practices and Green Infrastructures
  • Overcoming Data Scarcity in TMDL Modeling
  • Incorporation of Social Aspects and Stakeholder Participations and Cooperation in TMDL Modeling
  • Survey of TMDL Community for Current Practices
  • Harmful Algae Bloom Prediction and Prevention
Progress on the above work will be briefly presented and feedback from the audience will be encouraged. The committee has plans to write more articles and summarize all in a book. The Special Collection is not limited to the Committee. Anyone can submit articles to the Journal of Environmental Engineering on the Special Collection topic: TMDL Analysis and Modeling Advances – Connecting Climate Resilience, Socio-Environmental Systems, and Holistic Watershed Management. The principal author may be contacted at dborah@cityofchesapeake.net for more information.

Author Bio

Dr. Deva Borah is currently a Senior Engineer in Stormwater Engineering with the City of Chesapeake Department of Public works – Engineering Division. During his over 40-year career, Deva worked for universities, government agencies, and consulting companies in Civil and Agricultural Engineering fields. He is specialized in hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling and developed several model codes. He is one of the VLWA Board of Directors and chairs its Watershed Subcommittee. He also chairs the ASCE-EWRI TMDL Analysis and Modeling Task Committee and will present today his work for the Task Committee.