API PUBL 4736:2006

This review covers different types of water quality models applied to TMDLs performed to date. It also includes models recommended for, but not necessarily applied to, TMDLs. Because there are literally dozens of water quality models, both public and proprietary, this review focuses on well-documented models that are in the public domain and most commonly recommended for TMDL use. A range of model complexity is represented in this review. Models that are applicable to a wide range of surface water constituents were evaluated for this study.This report is designed to inform users about the application of models to specific types of TMDL problems, with emphasis on assuring that predictions of water quality are as reliable and accurate as practical, given the time and resources available to conduct the TMDL. This review does not recommend any specific model for any particular application.