Slowing Down Quick Runoff—A New Approach for the Delineation and Assessment of Critical Points, Contributing Areas, and Proposals of Measures to Reduce Non-Point Water Pollution from Agricultural Land

Non-point sources of water pollution caused by agricultural crop production are a serious problem in Czechia, at present. This paper describes new approach for the mutual delineation and assessment different where critical points method is used to identify origin contamination source areas. The points, i.e., sites presenting entry quick surface drainage runoff into waters, classified three (for using WaTEM/SEDEM model) or four (subsurface = via catchment-measures need index) categories, respectively. enabled us prioritize most endangered areas scales, ranging from third-order catchments very small subcatchments, design appropriate combination control measures mitigate runoff, with these being main drivers associated pollution. methodology was applied study conducted Czech Republic within entire Vltava River basin, total area 27,578 km2, utilized depth assess 543 km2 catchment Vlašimská Blanice River. When effect designed system had been assessed sediment transport through outlet profiles fourth-order catchments, average reduction reached 43%. subsurface nitrogen 24%. results planned be projected river basin management plans basin. Nevertheless, thorough reassessment current legislations strategies needed enable broader adoption mitigation sustainable patterns landscapes.