Lake Superior North and Lake Superior South Basins Watershed Model Development Report

This report transmits and describes the hydrologic and water quality calibration of a watershed model of Minnesota's Lake Superior North (also known as Baptism-Brule) and Lake Superior South (also known as Beaver-Lester) basins (8-digit hydrologic unit codes [HUC8]: 04010101 and 04010102 - Figure 1-2), developed using the Hydrologic Simulation Program - FORTRAN or HSPF model (Bicknell et al., 2014). The MPCA is developing HSPF models for most HUC8 watersheds in Minnesota. These models are intended to provide information that supports total maximum daily load studies (TMDLs), watershed restoration and protection strategies, and comprehensive watershed planning under Minnesota's Watershed Approach (Figure 1-1). In addition to simulating hydrology, these models are designed to support biological stressor identification and analysis of pollution-related impairments such as elevated turbidity and the effects of elevated nutrient concentrations. The models are also useful to support analysis needed to develop TMDLs for dissolved oxygen and temperature, as well as to provide a tool for evaluating appropriate point source effluent limits for permitted facilities and evaluating management scenarios.