Scope: what’s covered (and not!) in this wiki - Revision history

Julia Glenday: /* Assumed reader background (still need to read the tool manual :) ) */

2023-09-15T16:40:30Z

Assumed reader background (still need to read the tool manual :) )

Julia Glenday: /* No one "best" modelling tool for all cases */

2023-09-15T16:39:40Z

No one "best" modelling tool for all cases

Julia Glenday: /* Modelling software tools & versions covered */

2023-09-15T16:28:57Z

Modelling software tools & versions covered

Julia Glenday at 15:39, 15 September 2023

2023-09-15T15:39:10Z

Julia Glenday at 12:21, 31 October 2022

2022-10-31T12:21:18Z

Julia Glenday at 13:01, 28 October 2022

2022-10-28T13:01:27Z

Julia Glenday at 12:50, 28 October 2022

2022-10-28T12:50:31Z

Julia Glenday at 21:59, 8 February 2022

2022-02-08T21:59:40Z

Julia Glenday at 15:28, 8 February 2022

2022-02-08T15:28:39Z

Julia Glenday: /* Modelling software tools & versions covered */

2021-06-07T11:06:44Z

Modelling software tools & versions covered

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 A description of how multiple structure options were handled for the modelling tools reviewed in the wiki is given [[Coverage of structural options within modelling tools|here]]. This is perhaps most important for MIKE-SHE which has the largest number of structural options for the user to select from when setting up a model.
-= Assumed reader background (still need to read the tool manual :) ) =
+= Assumed reader background (still need to read those manuals :) ) =
 This wiki is aimed at readers who a have at least a basic background in hydrology and exposure to catchment hydrological modelling. The material is not intended to replace courses or foundational instructional material on hydrology and modelling in general or on the use of specific modelling tools. One needs a solid grounding in hydrology before getting into catchment modelling. This wiki describes and compares various aspects of different modelling tools, but it is not an exhaustive coverage of any of them and so it '''cannot replace reading the tool's supporting material!'''
 == Need more help? ==
 If you have modelling questions that you cannot resolve by consulting the modelling tool's manual or related resources, we recommend trying the question and answer platform [https://earthscience.stackexchange.com Stack Exchange, Earth Sciences subsite], to look for help (tag question with "hydrology" and "model"). If you have gained experience using a tool, consider using Stack Exchange to provide help to others so that the questions and answers become freely available to anyone online. Guidance on using this resource for hydrological modelling assistance can be found [[Stack Exchange Question & Answer platform |here]].

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the modelling tools described here do have these capabilities. It is the intention to add more coverage of these eventually.
-= No one "best" modelling tool for all cases =
+= No one "best" modelling tool =
-This wiki aims to help modellers make informed choices about model structures and modelling tool selection.  The intention is to help users compare across modelling tools more easily by describing different aspects of them side-by-side. Each modelling project will have it's own needs and constraints. '''There will almost always be multiple modelling tools that are similarly suitable for a given use-case, although each may have different types of limitations or drawbacks.'''
+This wiki aims to help modellers make informed choices by making it easier to compare modelling tools across different aspects of interest. Various capabilities and calculation approaches used by the tools are described side-by-side.
-This wiki will describe issues that need to be considered when applying a given tool in a particular case and how the tools compare across various relevant factors. The user must then decide how to weight the various factors involved for their specific situation.
+However, every modelling project will have it's own needs and constraints. '''There will almost always be multiple modelling tools that are similarly suitable for a given use-case, although each may have different types of limitations or drawbacks.'''  This wiki describes issues that need to be considered when applying a given tool in a particular use-case type, but the user must then decide how to weight the various factors involved for their specific situation.
 = Modelling software tools & versions covered =

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 !References
 |-
-|'''ACRU''', Agricultural Catchment Research Unit model
+|style="background: #FFF5FA|'''WRSM-Pitman''', Water Resources System Model
-|ACRU4
+|style="background: #FFF5FA|WRSM2000
-|Schulze, 1986, 1995; Schulze and Davis, 2018
+|style="background: #FFF5FA|Pitman, 1973; Bailey and Pitman, 2015
 |-
-|'''WRSM-Pitman''', Water Resources System Model
+|style="background: #FFF7F5|'''SPATSIM-Pitman''', Spatial and Time Series Information Modelling
-|WRSM2000
+|style="background: #FFF7F5|IWR (GWv3)
-|Pitman, 1973; Bailey and Pitman, 2015
+|style="background: #FFF7F5|Pitman, 1973; Hughes, 2005
 |-
-|'''SPATSIM-Pitman''', Spatial and Time Series Information Modelling
+|style="background: #F5FFF5|'''ACRU''', Agricultural Catchment Research Unit model
-|IWR (GWv3)
+|style="background: #F5FFF5|ACRU4
-|Pitman, 1973; Hughes, 2005
+|style="background: #F5FFF5|Schulze, 1986, 1995; Schulze and Davis, 2018
 |-
-|'''SWAT''', Soil and Water Assessment Tool
+|style="background: #FFFFF5|'''SWAT''', Soil and Water Assessment Tool
-|SWAT2012; ArcSWAT2012
+|style="background: #FFFFF5|SWAT2012; ArcSWAT2012
-|Arnold et al., 1998;  Neitsch et al., 2011
+|style="background: #FFFFF5|Arnold et al., 1998;  Neitsch et al., 2011
 |-
-|'''MIKE-SHE (& MIKE-Hydro)''', Système Hydrologique Européen
+|style="background: #F5FCFF|'''MIKE-SHE (& MIKE-Hydro)''', Système Hydrologique Européen
-|MIKE-SHE 2020
+|style="background: #F5FCFF|MIKE-SHE 2020
-|Abbott et al., 1986; DHI, 2020; Refsgaard and Storm, 1995
+|style="background: #F5FCFF|Abbott et al., 1986; DHI, 2020; Refsgaard and Storm, 1995
 |}
 These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling tools when this wiki was developed (2022).
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 '''ArcSWAT & Q-SWAT''': The SWAT2012 version of SWAT describes the model units and process algorithm options. Models can be optionally built and operationalised in a GIS environment, using '''ArcSWAT2012''' with ArcGIS ESRI software and '''Q-SWAT''' with Q-GIS software. ArcSWAT2012 was primarily used in this project and is the version referred to in the inter-comparison pages.
 '''SWAT+:''' SWAT+ was launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012; however, it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation. The intention is to update wiki material over time as SWAT+ may become the dominant version in use.
 = Coverage of structural options within modelling tools =

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 This wiki focuses on '''catchment-scale hydrological modelling''', as opposed to plot-scale, hillslope-scale, or global-scale modelling of water movement.
-At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).  However, modelling tools intended for catchment hydrological modelling necessarily include some level of representation of groundwater storage and fluxes as well as some representation of river channel flows. This representation is ''generally'' far more simplified than groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. Recognition of the need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to the integration of algorithms used by these more specific tools into catchment modelling tools. An example of this is the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.
+At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).  However, catchment hydrological modelling necessarily includes some representation of groundwater storage and fluxes and of river channel flows. This representation is ''generally'' far more simplified than in groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. A need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to the integration of algorithms from the more specific tools into catchment modelling tools. An example of this is the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.
 At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the modelling tools described here do have these capabilities. It is the intention to add more coverage of these eventually.
-A focus of this wiki is helping modellers to make informed choices about their model structures and modelling tool selection.  The intention is to help users compare across modelling tools more easily by describing different aspects of them side-by-side. Each modelling project will have it's own needs and constraints. There will almost always be multiple modelling tools that are similarly suitable for a given use-case, although each one may have a different type of limitation or drawback. For this reason this wiki will describe issues that need to be considered when applying a given tool in a particular case and how the tools compare across various relevant factors, and then let the user decide how to weight the various factors involved for their specific situation.
+= No one "best" modelling tool for all cases =
-This wiki is aimed at readers who a have at least a basic background in hydrology and exposure to catchment hydrological modelling. The material is not intended to replace courses or foundational instructional material on hydrology and modelling in general or on the use of specific modelling tools. One needs a solid grounding in hydrology before getting into catchment modelling. This wiki describes and compares various aspects of different modelling tools, but it is not an exhaustive coverage of any of them and so it '''cannot replace reading the tool's supporting material!'''
+= Modelling software tools & versions covered =
 Currently, the modelling tools included in the detailed comparison in this wiki are:
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 40: / Line 39: @@
 |'''MIKE-SHE (& MIKE-Hydro)''', Système Hydrologique Européen
 |MIKE-SHE 2020
-|Abbott et al., 1986; DHI, 2014; Refsgaard and Storm, 1995
+|Abbott et al., 1986; DHI, 2020; Refsgaard and Storm, 1995
 |}
-These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling tools when this wiki was developed (2021).
+These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling tools when this wiki was developed (2022).
-ACRU, SPATSIM-Pitman, and SWAT are curated by university research groups and there are many versions of these platforms that were developed by researchers for specific studies. These may appear in published research articles, but may not be easily accessible for a general user.
+'''ArcSWAT & Q-SWAT''': The SWAT2012 version of SWAT describes the model units and process algorithm options. Models can be optionally built and operationalised in a GIS environment, using '''ArcSWAT2012''' with ArcGIS ESRI software and '''Q-SWAT''' with Q-GIS software. ArcSWAT2012 was primarily used in this project and is the version referred to in the inter-comparison pages.
-The SWAT2012 version of SWAT describes the model units and process algorithm options. Models can be optionally built and operationalised in a GIS environment, using '''ArcSWAT2012''' with ArcGIS ESRI software and '''Q-SWAT''' with Q-GIS software. ArcSWAT2012 was primarily used in this project and is the version referred to in the inter-comparison pages.
+'''SWAT+:''' SWAT+ was launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012; however, it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation. The intention is to update wiki material over time as SWAT+ may become the dominant version in use.
-A new version of SWAT, called '''SWAT+''' was launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012, however it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation. The intention is to update wiki material over time as SWAT+ may become the dominant version in use.
+= Coverage of structural options within modelling tools =
 All of the tools reviewed have some flexibility in how a catchment model can be set-up. This adds a layer of complexity when trying to compare approaches across tools. In this review an effort has been made to document and consider the main structural options available and approaches considered ‘typical’ for each tool; however, it should be noted that not all potential options have been covered.
 A description of how multiple structure options were handled for the modelling tools reviewed in the wiki is given [[Coverage of structural options within modelling tools|here]]. This is perhaps most important for MIKE-SHE which has the largest number of structural options for the user to select from when setting up a model.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 This wiki focuses on '''catchment-scale hydrological modelling''', as opposed to plot-scale, hillslope-scale, or global-scale modelling of water movement.
-At present, this wiki does not cover specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).  However, modelling tools intended for catchment hydrological modelling necessarily include some level of representation of groundwater storage and fluxes as well as some representation of river channel flows. This representation is ''generally'' far more simplified than groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. Recognition of the need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to the integration of algorithms used by these more specific tools into catchment modelling tools. An example of this is the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.
+At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).  However, modelling tools intended for catchment hydrological modelling necessarily include some level of representation of groundwater storage and fluxes as well as some representation of river channel flows. This representation is ''generally'' far more simplified than groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. Recognition of the need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to the integration of algorithms used by these more specific tools into catchment modelling tools. An example of this is the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.
-At present, this wiki does not cover modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the modelling tools described here do have these capabilities. It is the intention to add more coverage of these eventually.
+At present, this wiki '''does not cover''' modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the modelling tools described here do have these capabilities. It is the intention to add more coverage of these eventually.
 A focus of this wiki is helping modellers to make informed choices about their model structures and modelling tool selection.  The intention is to help users compare across modelling tools more easily by describing different aspects of them side-by-side. Each modelling project will have it's own needs and constraints. There will almost always be multiple modelling tools that are similarly suitable for a given use-case, although each one may have a different type of limitation or drawback. For this reason this wiki will describe issues that need to be considered when applying a given tool in a particular case and how the tools compare across various relevant factors, and then let the user decide how to weight the various factors involved for their specific situation.
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 This wiki is aimed at readers who a have at least a basic background in hydrology and exposure to catchment hydrological modelling. The material is not intended to replace courses or foundational instructional material on hydrology and modelling in general or on the use of specific modelling tools. One needs a solid grounding in hydrology before getting into catchment modelling. This wiki describes and compares various aspects of different modelling tools, but it is not an exhaustive coverage of any of them and so it '''cannot replace reading the tool's supporting material!'''

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-This wiki focuses on '''catchment-scale hydrological modelling''', rather than plot-scale, hillslope-scale, or global-scale modelling of water movement.
+This wiki focuses on '''catchment-scale hydrological modelling''', as opposed to plot-scale, hillslope-scale, or global-scale modelling of water movement.
-At present this wiki does not cover specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).
+At present, this wiki does not cover specifically groundwater-focused modelling tools (e.g. MODFLOW) or hydraulics-focused tools (e.g. HEC-RAS).  However, modelling tools intended for catchment hydrological modelling necessarily include some level of representation of groundwater storage and fluxes and of river channel flows. This is ''generally'' far more simplified than groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. Recognition of the need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to integration of algorithms used in these more specific tools into catchment modelling tools. An example of this is the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.
-''NB: Modelling tools intended for catchment hydrological modelling necessarily include some level of representation of groundwater storage and fluxes and of river channel flows. However this is generally far more simplified than groundwater-focused and hydraulic modelling tools. Recognition of the need for more detailed representation of groundwater and channel/floodplain hydraulics in some catchment modelling contexts has led to integration of algorithms developed and used in these more specific tools into catchment modelling tools, such as the MIKE-SHE modelling platform.''
+At present, this wiki does not cover modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the modelling tools described here do have these capabilities. It is the intention to add more coverage of these eventually.
-At present this wiki does not cover modelling of sediment transport or other water quality parameters, although some of the focus modelling tools do have these capabilities.
+A focus of this wiki is helping modellers to make informed choices about their model structures and modelling tool selection.  The intention is to help users compare across modelling tools more easily by describing different aspects of them side-by-side. Each modelling project will have it's own needs and constraints. There will almost always be multiple modelling tools that are similarly suitable for a given use-case, although each one may have a different type of limitation or drawback. For this reason this wiki will describe issues that need to be considered when applying a given tool in a particular case and how the tools compare across various relevant factors, and then let the user decide how to weight the various factors involved for their specific situation.
@@ Line 41: / Line 40: @@
 |Abbott et al., 1986; DHI, 2014; Refsgaard and Storm, 1995
 |}
-These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling platforms at the time of the project (2019-21) from which this wiki was developed.
+These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling tools when this wiki was developed (2021).
 ACRU, SPATSIM-Pitman, and SWAT are curated by university research groups and there are many versions of these platforms that were developed by researchers for specific studies. These may appear in published research articles, but may not be easily accessible for a general user.
@@ Line 47: / Line 46: @@
 The SWAT2012 version of SWAT describes the model units and process algorithm options. Models can be optionally built and operationalised in a GIS environment, using '''ArcSWAT2012''' with ArcGIS ESRI software and '''Q-SWA'''T with Q-GIS software. ArcSWAT2012 was primarily used in this project and is the version referred to in the inter-comparison pages.
-A new version of SWAT, called '''SWAT+''' was launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012, however it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation.
+A new version of SWAT, called '''SWAT+''' was launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012, however it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation. The intention is to update wiki material if SWAT+ becomes the dominant version in use.
 == Coverage of structural options within modelling tools ==
-All of the tools reviewed have some flexibility in how a catchment model can be set-up. This adds a layer of complexity when trying to compare approaches across tools. In this review an effort has been made to document and consider the main structural options available and approaches considered ‘typical’ for each; however, it should be noted that not all potential options have been covered.
+All of the tools reviewed have some flexibility in how a catchment model can be set-up. This adds a layer of complexity when trying to compare approaches across tools. In this review an effort has been made to document and consider the main structural options available and approaches considered ‘typical’ for each tool; however, it should be noted that not all potential options have been covered.
 A description of how multiple structure options were handled for the modelling tools reviewed in the wiki is given [[Coverage of structural options within modelling tools|here]]. This is perhaps most important for MIKE-SHE which has the largest number of structural options for the user to select from when setting up a model.

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 |-
 |'''SWAT''', Soil and Water Assessment Tool
-|ArcSWAT2012
+|SWAT2012; ArcSWAT2012
 |Arnold et al., 1998;
 |-
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 These were chosen as commonly used, accessible, and/or promoted versions of the modelling platforms at the time of the project (2019-21) from which this wiki was developed.  ACRU, SPATSIM-Pitman, and SWAT are curated by university research groups and there are many versions of these platforms that were developed by researchers for specific studies. These may appear in published research articles, but may not be easily accessible for a general user.
-A new and accessible version of SWAT, called SWAT+ was newly launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as ArcSWAT2012, however it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation.
+The SWAT2012 version of SWAT describes the model units and process algorithm options. Models can be optionally built and operationalised in a GIS environment, using '''ArcSWAT2012''' with ArcGIS ESRI software and '''Q-SWA'''T with Q-GIS software. ArcSWAT2012 was primarily used in this project and is the version referred to in the inter-comparison pages.
-For the Pitman model tools, WRSM-Pitman and SPATSIM-Pitman, two different algorithms have been developed for groundwater processes, generally referred to by their primary developers: the Sami method and the Hughes method. These algorithms separate the representation of aquifers from storage in soils and interflow compared to the lumped subsurface representation in the original Pitman model (Pitman, 1973).  The WRSM-2000 version allows users to choose the original Pitman, Sami, or Hughes groundwater representation, while the SPATSIM GWv3 version uses the Hughes method. As such, the WRSM-Pitman tool is described with the Sami method groundwater algorithm in this material to allow coverage of both approaches.
+A new and accessible version of SWAT, called '''SWAT+''' was newly launched during the inception of this project. Most of it's core algorithms are the same as SWAT2012, however it's user interface has changed and SWAT+ includes runoff routing from specified hillslope areas to floodplain areas. This is a significant change to the landscape process representation.