• A coupled SWAT and CE-QUAL-W2 model was developed to simulate Devils Lake water levels and sulfate distribution.
• The coupled SWAT and CE-QUAL-W2 model showed that sulfate concentration in Devils Lake increased from west to east, which made the operation of the east outlet more of a concern for degrading the water quality in the Sheyenne River.
• A SWAT model was developed for the Sheyenne River watershed to simulate daily discharge.
• The Sheyenne River SWAT model was linked to the Devils Lake coupled SWAT and CE-QUAL-W2 model to simulate the impact of diverted water on the river discharge and sulfate concentration.
• The results of the hydrologic and water quality modeling showed that the impact of the outlet operation on the Sheyenne River discharge was within confines of two-year flood (36 m3 s -1), while the river sulfate concentration increased from 125 mg l-1 to ≥ 750 mg l-1.
• Using an optimization model and actual outlet schedule an optimal management was determined, which mitigated the Sheyenne River discharge and sulfate concentration to ≤ 26 m 3 s -1 and ≤ 650 mg l-1, respectively.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers:

Tahmasebi Nasab, M., Grimm, K., Bazrkar, M., Zeng, L., Shabani, A., Zhang, X., and Chu, X. 2018. SWAT modeling of non-point

Conference/Seminar Presentations:

     Shabani, A, Zhang, X., Ell, M., and Dodd, T.P. 2018. Examining the impact of Devils Lake outlets on flood risk of the Sheyenne River. Bismarck, ND Water Quality Monitoring Conference, March 6-8, 2018, Bismarck, ND.

     Shabani, A., Zhang, X., Chu, X., Zheng H., and Dodd, T.P. 2018. Improving Devils Lake outlets management to reduce environmental impacts on the Sheyenne River. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 10-14, 2018, Washington D.C.