Modification of RZWQM for Simulating Subsurface Drainage by Adding a Tile Flow Component

Fluctuating water table and subsurface drain flow components were incorporated in the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) to enable the model to simulate subsurface drain flows. Parameters in a modified model were calibrated using observed subsurface drain flows for 1990. Model performance was evaluated by predicting subsurface drain flows for 1991 and 1992 by using the calibrated parameters and comparing the predicted drain flows with observed subsurface drain flows for the same years. The modified RZWQM model, in general, showed a good response to rainfall in terms of time of peak flows. However, the modified RZWQM model overpredicted total tile flows by an average of 13%, and the magnitudes of peak tile flows were generally underpredicted. Selected soil properties (bulk density, macroporosity, and residue content) in the surface horizon were changed to investigate tillage effects on tile flows using the modified RZWQM. Four different tillage systems, chisel plow (CP), moldboard plow (MB), no-tillage (NT), and ridge-tillage (RT), were considered. Predicted tillage effects on subsurface drain flows were consistent with the observed effects (i.e., maximum tile flow for NT and minimum tile flow for MB)