New model identifies critical areas for pollution control in watersheds.
A new hydrologic model was created to find areas where water pollution is a big problem. The model uses soil moisture data to show where water is running off the land. It can predict both types of run-off: when the ground is too wet and when it can't absorb any more water. The model was tested in Georgia and did a good job at predicting streamflow and soil moisture. It showed that local factors like rain and soil type control run-off on dry days, while the shape of the land and how water moves through it matter more on wet days. This information can help people manage water pollution better.