A Study on Identifying Priority Management Areas and Implementing Best Management Practice for Effective Management of Nonpoint Source Pollution in a Rural Watershed, Korea

It is difficult to accurately identify and manage the paths of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in rural watersheds because their discharge patterns vary depending on season, region, and agricultural characteristics. In this study, flow and water quality during rainfall events were monitored in Songya watershed, an impaired, rural area in South Korea. A method of identifying priority management areas was proposed through scientific objectification and quantification of key factors controlling NPS, such as land use, agricultural type, and load. For the load calculation, a watershed model was developed using Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF). Three priority management areas-Mulhan Stream, Osan Stream, and the upstream area of Songya Stream-were selected. Using the developed model, constructed wetlands with the capacity of 1000 m(3) were applied at the lower reach of each priority management subbasin and the impacts on NPS pollution reduction were tested. The simulated results showed that BOD and TP concentrations at the outlet of Songya watershed were lowered by 9.2% and 6.0%, respectively. It is expected that the method proposed in this study for identifying priority management areas and implementing best management practice in agricultural watersheds can be applied to similar areas which struggled with NPS pollution.

Automated summary

This study successfully identified priority management areas in rural watersheds by quantifying key factors controlling nonpoint source pollution, and effectively reduced pollutant concentrations through the implementation of constructed wetlands.