3. Simulation of land use change scenario and its
impact on water quality
The AVNPSM interface was applied to the Dowagiac
River, a major tributary of the St Joseph River in southwestern
Michigan that flows into Lake Michigan, USA
for simulating the impact of land use scenario on water
quality. The total drainage area of the watershed is
approximately 73,435 ha. Agriculture is the major land
use in the watershed, accounting for 61% of the total
land. A recent study by the local communities indicates a
potential population growth of more than 10% in several
townships of the Dowagiac watershed in this decade.