Learn about river water quality modeling, QUAL2K, and environmental engineering.
QUAL2K is a one-dimensional, steady-state, river water quality model developed by the US EPA. Learn how it simulates dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and pathogens in flowing water bodies for environmental management and regulatory compliance.
Understanding how to model river water quality is essential for environmental engineers. This guide covers the fundamentals — from defining river reaches and boundary conditions to calibrating your model against field measurements.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) are the two most critical parameters in river water quality. Learn about the classic Streeter-Phelps model, oxygen sag curves, and why these metrics matter for aquatic ecosystems.