GIS map layers for landuse and soils for the Bosque River watershed entering Lake Waco.

By breaking the watersheds down into subbasins based on topography, landuse, and soils, areas of high sediment yield can be delineated. This type of information shows no only where much of the sediment entering the reservoir is coming from, but also the type and spatial distribution of the sediments based on soil types. By using the visualization capabilities of GIS, sediment yield per subbasin in the watershed can be viewed. This can allow analysis of sediment types (percent sand/silt/clay) being transported into the reservoirs.

Modeled sediment yield for the Bosque watershed for the period 1952-1995.
Yellow-Green = low sediment yield
Light Blue-Dark Blue = moderate sediment yield
Red = high sediment yield

As of winter, 1997, the Lake Waco and Lake Belton watersheds have been modeled with validation efforts underway. Modeling is also beginning on the Lake Aquilla watershed and should be completed by late spring.