Application of swat model in water quality assessment in the lotic ecosystem: A case study in tatlicay basin (Çankiri, Turkiye)

Water is one of the most critical actors affecting environmental health. For this reason, estimating and monitoring the behavior of water in nature and preventing water pollution before it occurs can be advantageous to avoid problems that may occur in terms of environmental health. In order to predict the behavior of water, the hydrological cycle needs to be evaluated on a basin basis. At this point, hydrological models can be used to make mathematical representations of hydrological processes. These models play an essential role in predicting and monitoring problems such as poor water quality, pollution, particle and sediment transport, the proliferation of oil and petroleum derivatives from frequently encountered issues in environmental health. In this study, a 2D surface water model was created by SWAT to simulate the lotic ecosystem and existing water quality of Tatlıçay Basin to propose solutions for improving environmental health in settlement of Cankiri Province. The accuracy of the entered data and the validity of the model have been checked with the calibration and validation studies. It aims to provide the opportunity to produce fast, accurate, and practical solutions in the face of negative scenarios.