EPA/600/R-21/268 | December 2021 | www.epa.

gov/research

2021 Surface Water Model

Maintenance and Support Status

Office of Research and Development

Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response
 EPA/600/R-21/268
December 2021

2021 Surface Water Model

Maintenance and Support Status

By

Ben Cope (10); Jason Gildea (8); Taimur Shaikh (6);

Tim Wool (4)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency Region( )

Joel Corona and Elinor Keith

Office of Water

John M. Johnston,
Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling,
Brenda Rashleigh,
Center of Public Health & Environmental Assessment,
and Michelle Simon,
Center for Environmental Solutions & EmergencyResponse
Office of Research and Development
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Oh 45238

Tetra Tech Inc.

Contract #HHSN316201200117W

December10 , 2021
Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status January 20, 2022

Notice\Disclaimer Statement
This report was prepared by Attain, LLC and Tetra Tech, Inc. under Contract #
HHSN316201200117W for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
Water Modeling Workgroup. This is an updated version of an earlier report, Surface
Water Model Maintenance and Support Status, EPA/600/R-18/270 September 2018,
prepared by Tetra Tech for the Workgroup.

The Workgroup can be contacted at Water_Modeling_Workgroup@epa.gov. The U.S.

EPA’s Water Modeling Workgroup consists of members from EPA regions, the U.S. EPA
Office of Water (OW), and the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD).

The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
represent the views or policies of the U.S. EPA. Any mention of trade names, products,
or services does not imply an endorsement by the U.S. Government or the U.S. EPA. The
EPA does not endorse any commercial products, services, or enterprises.

The authors of this second report are Ben Cope, Joel Corona, Jason Gildea, John M.
Johnston, Elinor Keith, Brenda Rashleigh, Taimur Shaikh, Michelle Simon, Tim Wool, all
of the U.S. EPA, and Tetra Tech, Inc.

The peer reviewers were Ashley Allen and Antony Tseng of the U.S. EPA.

This report summarizes information about the maintenance and support status of the
following modeling applications.

AGNPS Aquatox BASINS

BATHTUB CE-QUAL-ICM CE-QUAL-W2
CORMIX EFDC HAWQS
HSPF LSPC QUAL2K/KW
SPARROW SWAT SWMM
SWTOOLBOX VISUAL PLUMES WASP

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Forward

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged by Congress with protecting
the Nation's land, air, and water resources. Under a mandate of national environmental
laws, the Agency strives to formulate and implement actions leading to a compatible
balance between human activities and the ability of natural systems to support and
nurture life. To meet this mandate, EPA's research program is providing data and
technical support for solving environmental problems today and building a science
knowledge base necessary to manage our ecological resources wisely, understand how
pollutants affect our health, and prevent or reduce environmental risks in the future.

The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) within the
Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the Agency's center for investigation of
technological and management approaches for preventing and reducing risks from
pollution that threaten human health and the environment. The focus of the Center's
research program is on methods and their cost-effectiveness for prevention and control
of pollution to air, land, water, and subsurface resources; protection of water quality in
public water systems; remediation of contaminated sites, sediments, and ground water;
prevention and control of indoor air pollution; and restoration of ecosystems. CESER
collaborates with both public and private sector partners to foster technologies that
reduce the cost of compliance and to anticipate emerging problems. CESER's research
provides solutions to environmental problems by: developing and promoting technologies
that protect and improve the environment; advancing scientific and engineering
information to support regulatory and policy decisions; and providing the technical
support and information transfer to ensure implementation of environmental regulations
and strategies at the national, state, and community levels.

U.S. EPA’s Water Modeling Workgroup identified a set of 18 separate surface water
modeling applications that are currently applied to support development of Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans, assess permit conditions for National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) facilities, evaluate policy and water quality effects
of potential actions, and conduct other water quality analyses. This report presents
current web locations, status, points of contact, and other information on these 18 models.

Gregory Sayles, PhD., Director

Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response

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Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status January 20, 2022

Abstract

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Modeling Workgroup
(WMW) provides support for core surface water quality modeling tools used in Clean
Water Act programs. The WMW identified a set of 18 separate surface water modeling
applications that are currently applied to support development of Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) plans, assess permit conditions for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) facilities, evaluate policy and water quality effects of potential actions,
and conduct other water quality analyses. In 2018, the WMW members directed Tetra
Tech to perform an assessment of the current maintenance and support status of each
modeling tool to facilitate the identification of gaps in support or other activities that
might warrant future WMW activity. This report is an update to the 2018 report,
Assessment of Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status, EPA/600/R-18/270,
and includes current web locations, status, points of contact, and other information.

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Contents
Notice\Disclaimer Statement .................................................................................... 1
Forward ................................................................................................................. 2
Abstract ................................................................................................................. 3
AGNPS ................................................................................................................. 12
Background ....................................................................................................... 12
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 12
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 12
Model Executable .........................................................................................12
Source Code ................................................................................................13
User Community Portals ...............................................................................13
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................13
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 13
User Manual ................................................................................................13
Training Materials ........................................................................................14
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 14
AQUATOX ............................................................................................................ 15
Background ....................................................................................................... 15
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 15
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 16
Model Executable .........................................................................................16
Source Code ................................................................................................16
User Community Portals ...............................................................................16
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................16
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 16
User Manual ...................................................................................................... 16
TRAINING MATERIALS .................................................................................17
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 17
BASINS ................................................................................................................ 18

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Background ....................................................................................................... 18
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 20
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 21
Model Executable .........................................................................................21
Source Code ................................................................................................21
USER COMMUNITY PORTALS ........................................................................22
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................22
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 22
USER MANUAL .............................................................................................22
TRAINING MATERIALS .................................................................................22
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 23
BATHTUB ............................................................................................................. 24
Background ....................................................................................................... 24
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 24
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 25
Model Executable .........................................................................................25
Source Code ................................................................................................25
User Community Portals ...............................................................................25
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................25
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 25
User Manual ................................................................................................25
Training Materials ........................................................................................26
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 26
CE-QUAL-ICM ....................................................................................................... 27
Background ....................................................................................................... 27
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 27
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 27
Model Executable .........................................................................................27
Source Code ................................................................................................28

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User Community Portals ...............................................................................28
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................28
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 28
User Manual ................................................................................................29
Training Materials ........................................................................................29
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 29
CE-QUAL-W2 ........................................................................................................ 31
Background ....................................................................................................... 31
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 31
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 32
Model Executable .........................................................................................32
Source Code ................................................................................................32
User Community Portals ...............................................................................32
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................32
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 32
User Manual ................................................................................................33
Training Materials ........................................................................................33
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 33
CORMIX ............................................................................................................... 35
Background ....................................................................................................... 35
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 35
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 36
Model Executable .........................................................................................36
Source Code ................................................................................................37
User Community Portals ...............................................................................37
POINT OF CONTACT ...................................................................... 37
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 37
User Manual ................................................................................................37
Training Materials ........................................................................................38

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Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 38
EFDC ................................................................................................................... 40
Background ....................................................................................................... 40
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 40
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 42
Model Executable .........................................................................................42
Source Code ................................................................................................43
USER COMMUNITY PORTALS ........................................................................43
POINT OF CONTACT ...................................................................... 43
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 44
USER MANUAL .............................................................................................44
Training Materials ........................................................................................44
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 45
HAWQS................................................................................................................ 46
Background ....................................................................................................... 46
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 46
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 46
Model Executable .........................................................................................46
Source Code ................................................................................................46
User Community Portals ...............................................................................46
POINT OF CONTACT ...................................................................... 47
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 47
User Manual ................................................................................................47
Training Materials ........................................................................................47
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 47
HSPF ................................................................................................................... 49
Background ....................................................................................................... 49
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 49
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 50

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Model Executable .........................................................................................50
Source Code ................................................................................................50
User Community Portals ...............................................................................50
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................50
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 51
User Manual ................................................................................................51
Training Materials ........................................................................................51
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 52
LSPC.................................................................................................................... 54
Background ....................................................................................................... 54
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 54
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 55
Model Executable .........................................................................................55
Source Code ................................................................................................55
User Community Portals ...............................................................................55
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................55
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 55
User Manual ................................................................................................55
Training Materials ........................................................................................55
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 55
QUAL2KW/QUAL2K ............................................................................................... 57
Background ....................................................................................................... 57
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 57
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 57
Model Executable .........................................................................................57
Source Code ................................................................................................57
User Community Portals ...............................................................................58
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................58
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 58

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User Manual ................................................................................................58
Training Materials ........................................................................................58
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 59
SPARROW ............................................................................................................ 61
Background ....................................................................................................... 61
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 62
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 62
Model Executable .........................................................................................62
Source Code ................................................................................................62
User Community Portals ...............................................................................63
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................63
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 63
USER MANUAL .............................................................................................63
TRAINING MATERIALS .................................................................................63
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 63
SWAT .................................................................................................................. 65
Background ....................................................................................................... 65
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 65
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 65
Model Executable .........................................................................................65
SOURCE CODE ............................................................................... 65
User Community Portals ...............................................................................67
POINT OF CONTACT ...................................................................... 67
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 67
User Manual ................................................................................................67
Training Materials ........................................................................................67
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 68
SWMM ................................................................................................................. 70
Background ....................................................................................................... 70

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Model Status ..................................................................................................... 70
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 70
Model Executable .........................................................................................70
Source Code ................................................................................................71
User Community Portals ...............................................................................72
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................72
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 72
User Manual ................................................................................................72
Training Materials ........................................................................................73
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 73
SWTOOLBOX ........................................................................................................ 75
Background ....................................................................................................... 75
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 75
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 75
Model Executable .........................................................................................75
Source Code ................................................................................................75
USER COMMUNITY PORTALS ........................................................................75
Point of Contact ...........................................................................................75
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 76
User Manual ................................................................................................76
Training Materials ........................................................................................76
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 76
VISUAL PLUMES ................................................................................................... 77
Background ....................................................................................................... 77
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 77
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 77
Model Executable .........................................................................................77
Source Code ................................................................................................77
User Community Portals ...............................................................................78

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Point of Contact ...........................................................................................78
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 78
User Manual ................................................................................................78
Training Materials ........................................................................................78
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 78
WASP .................................................................................................................. 80
Background ....................................................................................................... 80
Model Status ..................................................................................................... 80
Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 81
Model Executable .........................................................................................81
Source Code ................................................................................................81
User Community Portals ...............................................................................81
POINT OF CONTACT ...................................................................... 81
Documentation and Training Materials ................................................................. 81
User Manual ................................................................................................81
Training Materials ........................................................................................82
Example Reports/Publications of Model Applications .............................................. 82
Summary ............................................................................................................. 84

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AGNPS
Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Model (AGNPS) is a one-dimensional modeling tool
for use in evaluating the effect of predominantly agricultural management decisions
impacting water, sediment, and chemical loadings within a watershed system. The model
predicts (1) water; (2) sediment by particle size class and source of erosion; and (3)
chemicals-nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and pesticides. The pollutant loadings
are generated from land areas and routed through stream systems on a daily basis.
Special land use components such as feedlots, gullies, field ponds, and point sources are
included

BACKGROUND
AGNPS was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS). USDA continues to provide support for the model.

Ron Binger is the ARS project manager responsible for the distribution of AGNPS.

MODEL STATUS
The original model name “AGNPS” has been replaced with Annualized AGNPS
(AnnAGNPS) and refers to a system of model components which can be used to estimate
annualized loads and load reductions. The single event version known as AGNPS was
discontinued in the mid-1990’s. Several versions that integrate the model with a
geographic information system (GIS) and Windows-based graphical user interfaces are
available.

The most recent version of AnnAGNPS (version 5.51) is dated December 2019. AnnAGNPS
versions 5.0 and later incorporate enhanced features for many input and output options
including ephemeral gullies, automated calibration for pollutants, actual or potential
evapotranspiration climate files, and the ability to enter unlimited climate stations with
any naming convention.

AnnAGNPS is a batch-process, continuous-simulation, surface-runoff, pollutant loading

computer model written in standard ANSI FORTRAN 95.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The model (current version 5.51) is a non-proprietary, public domain model with an open
source code that can be accessed and downloaded by any individual at the following web
site:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/manage/hydrology
/?cid=stelprdb1043591

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Source Code
Source code can be downloaded from the same website as the model executable.

User Community Portals

There is no user community portal.

Point of Contact
Ron Binger
Agricultural Research Service
Ron.Binger@ars.usda.gov

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found at: AnnAGNPS Technical Processes V5.5,
September 2018

The AnnAGNPS User’s Guide for Input Files and Formats Version v5.51 (August 2016) is
included in the model installation package
(https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/manage/hydrolog
y/?cid=stelprdb1043591)

The AGNPS Continuous Simulation Model Processes page provides additional helpful user
information such as descriptions of how specific processes are modeled (listed below).

• Chemical routines – in situ

• Chemical reach routing
• Erosion routine – RUSLE2
• Error checking
• Event output files
• Feedlots
• Field ponds
• Ephemeral gullies
• Hydrograph development
• Impoundments
• Internal data preparation
• Irrigation
• Overall system
• Read input
• Sediment reach routing
• Composite of soil layers

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• Soil moisture, CN runoff

• Source accounting
• Water reach routing
• Winter routines

The Input Data Preparation page provides contact information and descriptions of where
users can obtain additional information related to grid generation, climate data time series
generation and reference databases that can be used to facilitate development of other
input data.

Training Materials
None.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Karki, R., M.L. Tagart, J.O. Paz and R.L. Binger. 2017. Application of AnnAGNPS to model an
agricultural watershed in East-Central Mississippi for the evaluation of an on-farm water
storage (OFWS) system. Agricultural Water Management. 192:103-114.
Li, H., R.M. Cruse, R.L. Binger, K.R. Gesch and X. Zhang. 2016. Evaluating ephemeral gully erosion
impact on Zea mays L. yield and economics using AnnAGNPS. Soil and Tillage Research.
(155): 157- 165.
Momm, H.G., R.L. Binger, Y. Yuan, J. Kostel, J.J. Monchak, M.A. Locke and A. Giley. 2016.
Characterization and placement of wetlands for integrated conservation practice planning.
Trans. of the ASABE. 59(5): 1345-1357.
Que, Z., O. Seidou, R.L. Droste, G. Wilkes, M. Sunohara, E. Topp and D.R. Lapen. 2015. Using
AnnAGNPS to predict the effects of tile drainage control on nutrient and sediment loads
for a river basin. J. Environmental Quality. 44:629-641.

Upadhyay, P., L.O.S. Pruski, A.L. Kaleita, M.L. Soupir. 2018. Evaluation of AnnAGNPS for
simulating the inundation of drained and farmed potholes in the Prairie Pothol Region of
Iowa. Agricultural Water Management. 204: 38-46.
Upadhyay, P., L.O.S. Pruski, A.L. Kaleita, M.L. Soupir. 2019. Effects of land management on
inundation of prairie pothole wetlands in the Des Moines Lobe using AnnAGNPS.
Agricultural Water Management. 213: 947-956.
Zema, D.A., P. Denisi, E.V. Taguas Ruiz, J.A. Gomez, G. Bombino and D. Fortugno. 2016.
Evaluation of surface runoff prediction by AnnAGNPS model in a large Mediterranean
watershed covered by olive groves. Land Degradation & Development. 27: 811-822. DOI:
10.1002/ldr.2390
Zema, D.A., M.E. Lucas-Borja, B.G. Carra, P. Denisi, V.A. Rodrigues, M. Ranzini, F.C.S. Arcova, V.
de Cicco, and S.M. Zimbone. 2018. Simulating the hydrological response of a small tropical
forest watershed (Mata Atlantica, Brazil) by the AnnAGNPS model. Sci. Total Environ.
15(636): 737-750

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AQUATOX
AQUATOX is an ecological simulation model that predicts the impacts of various
environmental pollutants on aquatic ecosystems and aquatic organisms including fish,
invertebrates, and aquatic plants. Aquatic ecosystems that can be modeled include
streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. The most recent version of AQUATOX
(Release 3.2) extends the existing estuarine version to include improved capabilities for
situations encountered in the nearshore marine environment such as oyster reefs and
marsh-edge areas. Hydrodynamics are not simulated within AQUATOX and must be
supplied as model inputs. AQUATOX predicts the response of these aquatic ecosystems
to multiple stressors including nutrients, organic loadings, sediments, organic chemicals,
and temperature. AQUATOX is known as a process-based or mechanistic model because
it simulates the transfer of biomass, energy, and chemicals from one compartment of the
ecosystem to another by simultaneously computing each of the most important chemical
or biological processes for each day of the simulation period. The model can be run as a
well-mixed model, a stratified model (for deep lakes), and as a two- or three-dimensional
model with linked segments depending on the modeling goal.

BACKGROUND
Richard Park of Eco Modeling and Jonathan Clough of Warren Pinnacle Consulting Inc.
developed AQUATOX for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water.

AQUATOX is maintained by EPA Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM).

MODEL STATUS
AQUATOX was first developed in 1995 and has undergone major updates since the initial
release, as summarized in Table 1. The model was developed and compiled in Delphi.
AQUATOX release 3 is integrated into the BASINS modeling system with a MapWindow
interface.

Table 1 Version History

Version Release Non- Available for
Date Proprietary Download
Release 1 2002 Yes No
Release 2 2003 Yes No
Release 2.1 2005 Yes No
Release 2.2 2006 Yes No
Release 3 2009 Yes No
Release 3.1 2012 Yes No
Release 3.1 Plus 05/2014 Yes Yes
Release 3.2 2018 Yes Yes

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Table 2 presents the system requirements needed to run AQUATOX.

Table 2. System Requirements

Minimum Preferred
Requirement Requirement
Hardware Pentium PC, 2.0GHZ or
higher (or equivalent)
Operating System MS Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10 Windows 7, 8 or 10
Memory Requirements 1 GB RAM 4 GB RAM
Disk Space 1 GB free disk space 32 GB free disk space

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
Release 3.1 Plus version and Release 3.2 of AQUATOX are available for download from
EPA: AQUATOX Download Page. Release 3.1 is included in the BASINS 4.1 package

Source Code
The model’s source code language is Delphi 10.1 Berlin.

The source code is available for download as a zipped file of GitHub repository through
the AQUATOX Download Page.

User Community Portals

EPA hosts a listserv for the user community: AQUATOX listserv. Users can post messages
to the user community or request a search of past messages based on key words.

Point of Contact
Questions about AQUATOX can be directed to Brenda Rashleigh of EPA’s Office of
Research and Development. Brenda Rashleigh can be reached at
rashleigh.brenda@epa.gov or by phone at (401)-782-3014.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

USER MANUAL
A user manual and four technical documents comprise the theoretical and computational
documentation for AQUATOX.

Additional documentation including guidance on setup and application and parameter

sensitivity.

• Guidance in AQUATOX Setup and Application (2014)

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Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status January 20, 2022

• AQUATOX Sensitivity Analysis (2014)

TRAINING MATERIALS
EPA has hosted training opportunities and the course material is available on the EPA’s
AQUATOX Training Workshops webpage. Training materials include an option for a one-
day short course or three-day course. The one-day course materials discuss the
capabilities of AQUATOX and provide examples of application. The three-day course
materials provide more extensive details of the model and a hands-on example.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Akkoyunlu, A. and Y. Karaaslan. 2015. Assessment of improvement scenario for water quality in
Mogan Lake by using the AQUATOX Model. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
22(2015): 14392-14357.
Clough, J.S., E.C. Blancher II, R.A. Park, S.P. Milroy, W.M. Graham, C.F. Rakocinski, J.R. Hendon,
J.D. Wiggert and R. Leaf. 2017. Establishing nearshore marine injuries for the Deepwater
Horizon natural resource damage assessment using AQUATOX. Ecological Modelling.
359(2017): 258-268.
Lombardo, A., A. Franco, A. Pivato and A. Barausse. 2015. Food web modeling of a river
ecosystem for risk assessment of down-the-drain chemicals: A case study with AQUATOX.
Science of the Total Environment. 508(2015): 214-227.
Niu, Z., Q. Gou, X. Wang and Y. Zhang. 2016. Simulation of a water ecosystem in a landscape
lake in Tianjin with AQUATOX: Sensitivity, calibration, validation and ecosystem prognosis.
Ecological Modelling. 335(2016): 54-63.
Zhang, L. and J. Liu. 2014. AQUATOX coupled foodweb model for ecosystem risk assessment of
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in lake ecosystems. Environmental Pollution.
191(2014):80-92.

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BASINS
BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integration Point and Nonpoint Sources) is an
interface system to several models including HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program –
FORTRAN), SWAT (Soil & Water Assessment Tool), WASP (Water Quality Analysis
Simulation Program), LSPC (Loading Simulation Program in C++) and AQUATOX that was
designed to facilitate the completion of watershed and water quality studies by local,
state, and regional entities. It uses a geographic information system (GIS) to bring
together key data sets that are utilized by many different modeling applications. It
provides for easy access to national environmental data in the application of several
proven water quality models and assessment tools.

BACKGROUND
The original BASINS was developed by EPA Office of Water. Technical direction and
guidance were provided by EPA and system development was provided by AQUA TERRA
with cooperation from Tetra Tech, Inc., Texas A&M University, and CH2M Hill.

The GIS foundation for BASINS 4.0 and subsequent versions was provided by Map
Window GIS. Map Window GIS was developed by Utah Water Research Laboratory at
Utah State University and is maintained and supported by Idaho State University and
Utah State University. BASINS 4.5 Core was the first full BASINS release to be produced
jointly by U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (Computational Exposure
Division) in Athens, Georgia, and U.S. EPA Region 4 (Water Protection Division) in Atlanta,
Georgia. AQUA TERRA Consultants (a Division of RESPEC, Inc.) provided software
development services for this release. Various plug-in elements of BASINS have been
developed by a range of entities, as outlined in Table 1. A developer manual is available
for those interested in developing a plug-in.

Table 1. BASINS’ plug-ins currently supported by EPA

Plug-In Development/ Contribution

AQUATOX is a simulation model for aquatic systems that predicts
the fate of various pollutants, such as nutrients and organic
chemicals, and their effects on the ecosystem, including fish,
AQUATOX invertebrates, and aquatic plants.
Eco Modeling and Jonathan Clough of Warren Pinnacle Consulting
Inc. developed AQUATOX for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Office of Water.
Automatic watershed delineation David Tarboton at Utah State University

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Plug-In Development/ Contribution

GWLF-E, an extension of the Generalized Watershed Loading
Function (GWLF) model. GWLF-E is a ‘mid-level’ model that
GWLF-E estimates monthly nutrient and sediment loads within a watershed.

Barry Evans and Ken Corradini of Penn State University

WinHSPF is an interface to the Hydrological Simulation Program

Fortran (HSPF). HSPF is a watershed scale model for estimating
instream concentrations resulting from loadings from point and
nonpoint sources
HSPFParm Tony Donigian, Jr formerly of AQUA TERRA. David Chen (Chinese
University of Hong Kong), James Sams (USGS, Pittsburgh), Larry
Moore (University of Memphis), Thomas Fontaine (South Dakota
School of Mines & Technology) and Scott Wells (Portland State
University)
Hydrological Simulation Program - AQUA TERRA in conjunction with EPA Athens Laboratory and the
FORTRAN (HSPF) USGS Office of Surface Water.
PLOAD, a pollutant loading model. PLOAD estimates nonpoint
sources of pollution on an annual average basis, for any user-
specified pollutant, using either the export coefficient or simple
PLOAD method approach.

CH2M Hill

SWAT is a physical based, watershed scale model that was

developed to predict the impacts of land management practices on
water, sediment, and agricultural chemical yields in large complex
watersheds with varying soils, land uses and management
SWAT conditions over long periods of time. SWAT2005 is the underlying
model that is run from the BASINS MapWindow interface.

USDA Agricultural Research Service

SWMM is a dynamic rainfall-runoff simulation model used for single

event or long-term (continuous) simulation of runoff quantity and
quality from primarily urban areas. The routing portion of SWMM
SWMM transports this runoff through a system of pipes, channels,
storage/treatment devices, pumps, and regulators.

Lew Rossman of the U.S. EPA and others

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Plug-In Development/ Contribution

WASP is a dynamic compartment-modeling program for aquatic
systems, including both the water column and the underlying
WASP benthos

WASP network utility to automatically generate a WASP input file

from NHDPlus coverage. Tim Wool at EPA Region 4
Input and output time-series data that can be managed with
WDMUtil or GenScn, which are available under the Analysis menu
item. Beginning with BASINS 4.1, GenScn and WDMUtil are available
as a separate download called the SARA TS Utility that can be found
at https://www.respec.com/product/sara-timeseries-utility/
WDMUtil/SARA TS Utility
Much of the WDM Time-series management functionality of WDMUtil
is available through the ‘File’ menu option in BASINS, especially
through the ‘File: Manage Data’ menu option. This functionality is
documented in the user’s manual under Time-Series Management.

LSPC is the Loading Simulation Program in C++, a watershed

modeling system that includes streamlined Hydrologic Simulation
Program Fortran (HSPF) algorithms for simulating hydrology,
sediment, and general water quality on land as well as a simplified
LSPC
stream transport model. LSPC is derived from the Mining Data
Analysis System (MDAS), which was developed by EPA Region 3 and
has been widely used for mining applications and TMDLs.

MODEL STATUS
BASINS 4.5 is a maintenance release that builds on Version 4.1 and earlier versions of
the system. Improvements to BASINS include complete replacement of all the data
download libraries with the D4EM version of these libraries; updates to the HUC8
(hydrologic unit code) layer of the ‘Build New Project’ national map to use the March 2017
update of the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD); access to both National Hydrography
Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) version 1.0 and 2.1 through the data download tool; updates to
the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data download options to include 2011 land
use and impervious area data; updates to the North American Land Data Assimilation
System (NLDAS) download to allow access to the full suite of meteorological constituents;
and all model plugins are installed separately from the BASINS 4.5 Core install.

The version history is summarized in Table 2 and Table 3 lists the system requirements
for download.

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Table 2. Version history

Version Release Non-proprietary Available for
Date download
BASINS 1.0 05/1996 Yes1
BASINS 2.0 01/1999 Yes1
BASINS 3.0 06/2001 Yes1
BASINS 3.1 08/2004 Yes1
BASINS 4.0 03/2007 Yes2
BASINS 4.0 Update 1 11/2007 Yes2
BASINS 4.0 Update 2 08/2008 Yes2
BASINS 4.0 Update 3 05/2010 Yes2
BASINS 4.1 2013 Yes2
BASINS 4.11 09/2015 Yes2
BASINS 4.2 09/2016 Yes2
BASINS 4.5 2019 Yes2 BASINS 4.5 Download
1: Required proprietary ESRI ArcView (prior to v3.0 or less) GIS software
2: Uses Map Windows GIS and is fully non-proprietary

Table 3. Hardware requirements

Hardware/Software Minimum Requirements Preferred Requirements

Processor 1GHz processor 2GHz processor or higher
Available hard disk space 2.0 Gb 10.0 Gb
Random access memory 512 Mb of RAM plus 2 Gb of 1 Gb of RAM plus 2 Gb of
(RAM) page space page space
Color monitor 16-bit color, Resolution 32-bit color, Resolution
1024x768 1600x1200
Internet Connection WiFi DSL or better
Operating system Windows XP, Vista, Windows Windows XP, Vista, Windows
7, and Windows 8 and Windows 8

The GIS based interface and visualization platform of BASINS is built upon Map Window
GIS. It integrates other models and analysis tools.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The model is available from EPA’s download and installation page.

Source Code
The source code development repository is available at
https://github.com/respec/BASINS/releases .

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USER COMMUNITY PORTALS

EPA hosts a listserv for the user community, users can request to join here: BASINS
listserv. Users can post messages to the user community or request a search of past
messages based on key words.

Point of Contact
The EPA’s BASINS support team is available to provide any additional information.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

USER MANUAL
There is a user manual as well as multiple technical documents that make up the
documentation for BASINS.

TRAINING MATERIALS
The EPA has developed a series of BASINS lectures and exercises. The lectures and
exercises were created for BASINS 4.0; however, the lectures and exercises are
compatible with BASINS 4.5.

The website hosts 17 lectures including the following topics:

• Introduction to BASINS and TMDLs

• Introduction to HSPF and the model application process
• Watershed delineation
• Weather data and WDMS
• Hydrologic processes, parameters, and calibration
• Channel routing in HSPF
• Operational aspects of HSPF and supporting software
• Watershed segmentation
• Snow processes, parameters, and calibration
• Sediment processes, parameters, and calibration
• NPS quality (PQUAL,IQUAL) processes, parameters, and calibration
• Instream water quality - temperature, sediment, and general constituents
• AGCHEM processes, parameters, and calibration
• Instream water quality - biochemical reactions
• Watershed model calibration and validation: issues and procedures
• Analysis of alternatives: modeling scenarios, BMPs and TMDLs
• Additional HSPF features

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The website also hosts 16 exercises:

• Building a BASINS project and data download tool

• Manual and automatic watershed delineation
• WDM utility
• Introduction to WinHSPF and GenSen
• Segmentation
• WinHSPF hydrology calibration
• HSPEXP
• Simulation of snow accumulation and melt
• Sediment erosion and delivery
• Sediment transport calibration
• Bacteria and temperature modeling
• AHCHEM
• Nutrient, dissolved oxygen, and algae modeling
• Water quality calibration
• Modeling alternative scenarios, BMPs, and TMDLs
• HSPFParm Tool

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Brown, M.E., A.E. Racoviteanu, D.G. Tarboton, A.S. Gupta, J. Nigro, F. Policelli, S. Habib, M.
Tokay, M.S. Shrestha, S. Bajracharya, P. Hummel, M. Gray, P. Duda, B. Zaitchik, V. Mahat,
G. Artan and S. Tokar. 2014. An integrated modeling system for estimating glacier and
snow melt driven streamflow from remote sensing and earth system data products in the
Himalayas. Journal of Hydrology. 519(2014): 1859-1869.
Donigian, A. 2013. A Watershed Modeling System for Fort Benning, GA Using the U.S. EPA BASINS
Framework. SERDP Project RC-1547.
Gupta, A.S, D.G. Tarboton, P. Hummel, M.E. Brown and S. Habib. 2015. Integration of an energy
balance snowmelt model into an open source modeling framework. Environmental
Modelling & Software. 68(2015): 205-218.
Ortolani, V. 2014. Land use and its effects on water quality using the BASINS model.
Environmental Earth Sciences. 71(2014): 2059-2063.
Zhou, Z., Y. Ouyang, Y. Li, Z. Qiu and M. Moran. 2017. Estimating impact of rainfall change on
hydrological processes in Jianfengling rainforest watershed, China using BASINS-CAT
modeling system. Ecological Engineering. 105(2017): 87-94.

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BATHTUB
BATHTUB is a steady state, empirically based receiving water model appropriate for
simulation of growing season average conditions in morphologically complex lakes and
reservoirs. It applies a series of eutrophication models derived from lake monitoring data
from a number of lakes and reservoirs from across the United States to perform steady-
state water and nutrient balance calculations that account for advective and diffusive
transport and nutrient sedimentation as well as internal pollutant sources. Eutrophication-
related water quality conditions are predicted by BATHTUB and expressed as growing
season average total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll a, transparency, organic
nitrogen, ortho-phosphorus, and hypolimnetic oxygen depletion rate. BATHTUB can be
configured for simultaneous application to collections or networks of reservoirs to provide
regional perspectives on reservoir water quality.

BACKGROUND
The original developer was William W. Walker, Jr., for the Environmental Laboratory of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Waterways Experiment Station (WES).

Dr. Walker., and David Soballe distribute the BATHTUB model on an informal (i.e.,
unfunded, volunteer) basis. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has discontinued any
formal maintenance or support for the BATHTUB model.

MODEL STATUS
BATHTUB was developed in 1996 and has undergone multiple updates, as summarized
in Table 1. The latest modified BATHTUB is relatively independent of the Microsoft Excel
version it under which it operates; however, issues may still exist. Dr. Walker notes that
BATHTUB works in Windows 7 and 10 and Excel 2003-2016. Documentation on
troubleshooting Excel issues is included with the model download zip file.

Table 1. Version History

Version Release Non-
Date Proprietary
Version 3.2 12/1996 Yes
Version 5.4 12/1998 Yes
Version 6.1 08/2006 Yes
Version 6.2 2014 Yes

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ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The model is available from William Walker’s website (FLUX, PROFILE, BATHTUB) and
upon request from David Soballe (contact information below).

Source Code
The source code language is Visual Basic and earlier versions were executable through
an MS-DOS interface. Version 6 adds a Microsoft Excel interface.

The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) no longer has the source
code.

User Community Portals

There is no community portal.

Point of Contact
David Soballe, dsoballe@gmail.com

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found in:

Walker, W.W. 1981. Empirical Methods for Predicting Eutrophication in Impoundments - Report
1: Data Base Development. Technical Report E-81-9. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Walker, W.W. 1982. Empirical Methods for Predicting Eutrophication in Impoundments - Report
2: Model Testing, prepared for Office, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.,
Technical Report E-81-9, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station,
Vicksburg, MS, September 1982. Not available online
Walker Jr., W. W. 1985. Empirical Methods for Predicting Eutrophication in Impoundments.
Report 3. Phase II. Model Refinements. Report E-81-9, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Walker Jr., W. W. 1985. Empirical Methods for Predicting Eutrophication in Impoundments.
Report 4. Phase III. Applications Manual. Report E-81-9, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.

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User manual can be found in:

Walker Jr., W.W. 1996. Simplified Procedures for Eutrophication Assessment and Prediction: User
Manual [Version 3]. Instruction Report W-96-2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS

Training Materials
Sample cases are provided on William W. Walker's Bathtub main page, under the sample
cases contents. The sample cases include five instructional cases: (1) single reservoir,
spatially averaged, (2) single reservoir, spatially segmented, (3) reservoir embayment,
segmented, (4) segmented reservoir, multiple scenarios, and (5) collection of reservoirs,
spatially averaged. The sample cases also include four real application files: (1) Keystone
Reservoir, Oklahoma - two tributary arms & several segments, (2) Beaver Reservoir,
Arkansas - one tributary arm, (3) Lake Memphremagog, Vermont/Canada - natural lake
with longitudinal gradient, and (4) Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York / Canada - natural
lake with multiple bays & transport channels.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Brennan, A.K., C.J. Hoard, J.W. Duris, M.E. Ogdahl and A.D. Steinman. 2015. Water quality and
hydrology of Silver Lake, Oceana County, Michigan, with Emphasis on lake response to
nutrient loading, 2012–14. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–
5158.

FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). 2017. Final Nutrient TMDLs for Sanibel
Slough (WBIDs 2092F1 and 2092F2) and Documentation in Support of the Development
of Site-Specific Numeric Interpretations of the Narrative Nutrient Criterion. Tallahassee,
FL.

IDNR (Iowa Department of Natural Resources). 2016. Water Quality Improvement Plan for
Windmill Lake, Taylor County, Iowa, Total Maximum Daily Load for Algae and Turbidity.

Robertson, D.M. and W. J. Rose. 2008. Water Quality, Hydrology, and Simulated Response to
Changes in Phosphorus Loading of Butternut Lake, Price and Ashland Counties, Wisconsin,
with Special Emphasis on the Effects of Internal Phosphorus Loading in a Polymictic Lake.
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5053.

Tetra Tech, Inc. 2015. Lake Champlain BATHTUB Model Calibration Report. Fairfax, VA.

Xu, C., R. Wan, G. Yang, W. Lv, Q. Ma and B. Li. 2019. Water quality control plan with BATHTUB
model for lake inflow rivers - a case study of total phosphorus in Northwest Lake Taihu,
China. Water Sci Technol. 79(3):544-555.

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CE-QUAL-ICM
CE-QUAL-ICM was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research
and Development Center (ERDC) first as a three-dimensional eutrophication model for
the Chesapeake Bay and its major tributaries. It continues to be applied for eutrophication
studies in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal areas around the world. It can
simulate biogeochemical cycles, including the aquatic carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle,
phosphorus cycle and oxygen cycle as well as physical factors, including salinity,
temperature, and suspended solids. It does not simulate hydrodynamics. Its technical
underpinnings are analogous to the finite-volume numerical method and the model
simulates the transport and fate of pollutants in well-mixed cells that can be arranged in
1-, 2-, or 3-dimensional configurations. Simulated constituents include algae, carbon,
nitrogen, phosphorus, silica, dissolved oxygen, zooplankton, submerged aquatic
vegetation, epiphytes, and benthic algae.

BACKGROUND
Carl Cerco, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and
Development Center (ERDC), was the lead developer.

USACE ERDC currently maintains and supports ongoing model development.

MODEL STATUS
Version 1.0 is the original version developed for the Chesapeake Bay in 1992. The current
generally available standard distribution version is Version 1.1 (released 11/17/2015). A
library of additional sub-models developed during subsequent CE-QUAL-ICM applications
is available but not all submodules are available with Version 1.1, which only comes with
the sediment diagenesis submodule. One may request other available submodules (filter
feeding benthos, toxics, submerged aquatic vegetation and carbon cycle) directly from
the Chesapeake Bay Program (Lewis Linker, LLinker@chesapeakebay.net).

A newly developed "ICM-Lite" version is designed to run on a PC and with an excel user
interface. This is available from Jodi.L.Ryder@usace.army.mil.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The basic version of CE-QUAL-ICM (version 1.0) is available at no cost. The standard
distribution version is available from:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/cequalicm/?source=directory.

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The distribution packet includes FORTRAN code, a compiled version executable on a

Windows PC, and a user’s guide.

The full featured version is housed on a USACE server that is not accessible to the public.
As noted above this version may be obtained by contacting the Chesapeake Bay Program
at the contact listed.

Source Code
The source code is written in FORTRAN and the source code is open to users. Source
code can be downloaded from the same website as the model executable.

User Community Portals

The Chesapeake Community Modeling Program provides a forum for discussion of the
open source models used for Bay applications, including CE-QUAL-ICM; it is not currently
active and there is no forum specifically devoted to discussion of the CE-QUAL-ICM model.
http://ches.communitymodeling.org/models.php

Point of Contact
Standard version: Available with documentation at the following link:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/cequalicm/?source=directory

Full featured version:

United States Army Corps of Engineers
Mark Noel, mark.r.noel@usace.army.mil

Chesapeake Bay Program

Lewis Linker, LLinker@chesapeakebay.net
ICM-lite version:
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Jodi Ryder, Jodi.L.Ryder@usace.army.mil

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

A general Fact Sheet is available on the USACE webpage. Other general information is
available on the Chesapeake Community Modeling Program webpage. Both contain
outdated version information.

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User Manual
The existing available user manual is for version 1.0 (1995). Additional capabilities have
been added to ICM since then and the corresponding theoretical documentation provided
in the following references:

Cerco, C., and Cole, T. 1993. “Three‐dimensional eutrophication model of Chesapeake Bay,”
Journal of Environmental Engineering, 119(6), 1006‐1025.
Cerco, C., and Moore, K. 2001. “System‐wide submerged aquatic vegetation model for
Chesapeake Bay,” Estuaries, 24(4), 522‐534.
Cerco, C., and Noel, M. 2004. “Managing for water clarity in Chesapeake Bay,” Journal of
Environmental Engineering, 130(6), 631‐642.

The user manual is available with download of the model and also at the following link:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/cequalicm/?source=directory (1995) by Carl F. Cerco
and Thomas Cole.

Training Materials
The Chesapeake Bay Program hosted a Technology Transfer Workshop on CE-QUAL-
ICM Code for water Quality Modeling in July 2019. A link to the workshop recordings
can be found here:
https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/event/technology_transfer_workshop_on_ce_qua
l_icm_code_for_water_quality_modeling

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Cerco, C.F. and M.R. Noel. 2010. The 2002 Chesapeake Bay Eutrophication Model. U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. Prepared for the
Chesapeake Bay Program Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Annapolis, MD.
EPA 903-R-04-004. July 2004.
Cerco, C.F., M.R. Noel, and S-C. Kim. 2004. Three-Dimensional Eutrophication Model of Lake
Washington , Washington State Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research
and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. ERDC/ELTR-04-12. August 2004.
Cerco, C., M.R. Noel, S-C. Kim, S‐C. 2006. Three‐dimensional management model for Lake
Washington: (II) Eutrophication modeling and skill assessment. Journal of Lake and
Reservoir Management 22(2):115‐131.
Cerco, C. and M.R. Noel. 2007. Can oyster restoration reverse cultural eutrophication in
Chesapeake Bay? Estuaries and Coasts. 30(2):331‐343.
Dortch, M.S., M. Zakikhani, M.R. Noel, and S.C. Kim. 2007. Application of a Water Quality Model
to Mississippi Sound to Evaluate Impacts of Freshwater Diversions. U.S. Army Engineer
Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS.

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St. Johns River Water Management District. 2012. Water Supply Impact Study Technical
Publication SJ2012-1. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL.
St. Johns River Water Management District. 2012. Water Supply Impact Study Appendix 8.D. CE-
QUAL-ICM Setup, Calibration and Withdrawal Scenario Results. John C. Hendrickson, St.
Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL.

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CE-QUAL-W2
CE-QUAL-W2, commonly referred to as W2, is a 2-dimensional (vertical and longitudinal)
hydrodynamic and water quality model. It is configured as a series of user defined
segments and its mathematical structure is based on a set of differential equations that
define conservation of mass and energy in each horizontal layer. The model includes
variable segment spacing allowing for greater resolution where needed with simulation
algorithms based on hydrostatic approximation (i.e., negligible vertical accelerations) and
eddy coefficients used to simulate turbulence. Also included are numerical algorithms for
pipe, weir, spillways, and pump flow. Simulated water quality includes carbonaceous
biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD)/organic matters, nutrients, multiple algae,
epiphyton/periphyton, zooplankton, and macrophytes. General water quality processes
and biochemical reactions are simulated using user-defined decay rates, settling rates,
and temperature correction coefficients. It is best suited for long, narrow rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, and estuaries because it assumes lateral homogeneity.

BACKGROUND
Thomas Cole of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) originally developed W2 and
USACE provided early maintenance and development support for W2. While they have
done so in the past, presently, the USACE does not provide support for model
maintenance. Scott Wells, director of the Water Quality Research Group (WQRG) at
Portland State University (PSU) continues to maintain the code internally at PSU. The
work is supported by research grants and CE-QUAL-W2 training contracts (personal
communication).

A fact sheet on the USACE webpage (dated 11/12/2014) is outdated, indicating the
current version is 3.7. The current version is version 4.2, released November 15, 2019.

PSU provides the newest version of W2 on its web page, which notes that it does not
receive support from USACE for model support, maintenance, or upgrades. Contributions
are accepted on the webpage to help support continued model maintenance, bug fixes
and updates.

MODEL STATUS
All available versions of W2 are non-proprietary and the source code is publicly available.

The current version is 4.2 (November 15, 2019), available here, includes a registration
page, download of source code, model release notes, executable, user manual,
documentation, example problems, and reports.

Older versions of W2, including versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.71, 3.72, 4.0 and 4.1, are
also available on the PSU model webpage; however, some of them are no longer actively

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supported. The link, PSU model webpage , on the model webpage provides a detailed
description of the differences between all versions of W2.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The W2 model is in the public domain and its source code is available for download. CE-
QUAL-W2 download

Source Code
The source code is written in FORTRAN. Source code can be downloaded from the same
website as the model executable.

User Community Portals

WQRG at PSU hosts a user forum at this LINK. Registration is required for posting
messages. Alternatively, access to the forum (i.e., read access) may be granted by
emailing the site administrator (bergerc@cecs.pdx.edu) with full contact information
(name, title, organization, email, and phone number) or at the following LINK.

There is also a blog where model updates and code changes are described.

Point of Contact
Contacts associated with PSU are provided below.

Scott Wells: Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Portland State University
Phone: (503) 725-4276
Fax: (503) 725-5950
Email: wellss@pdx.edu

Chris Berger: Research Assistant Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Portland State University
Phone: (503) 725-3048
Fax: (503) 725-5950
Email: berger@pdx.edu

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

A general Fact Sheet is available on the USACE website; however, the version information
is not current.
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User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found in:

Wells, S. A. 2019. CE-QUAL-W2: A two-dimensional, laterally averaged, hydrodynamic and water

quality model, version 4.2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland
State University, Portland, OR.
The user manual can be found at:

Version 4.2 User's Manual—July 2019

Training Materials
PSU periodically holds a 4 ½ day Workshop on W2 (https://www.pdx.edu/cee/QUAL-W2).

EPA provides an Introduction to CE-QUAL-W2 webinar:

https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/surface-water-quality-modeling-training

An Internet search revealed a Wiki page for first time users, source not known (2013).

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Al-Murib, M.D. and S. Wells. 2019. Hydrodynamic and total dissolved solids model of the Tigris
River using CE-QUAL-W2. Environmental Processes. 6(2019):619-641.
Bowen, J., and J. Hieronymus. 2003. A CE-QUAL-W2 Model of Neuse Estuary for Total Maximum
Daily Load Development. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.
129(4):283-294.
Lindenschmidt, K., M.K. Carr, A. Sadeghian, and L. Morales-Marin. 2019. CE-QUAL-W2 model of
dam outflow elevation impact on temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrients in a
reservoir. Scientific Data. 312 (6).
O’Donnell, S., R. Gelda, S. Effler and D. Pierson. 2011. Testing and Application of a Transport
Model for Runoff Event Inputs for a Water Supply Reservoir. Journal of Environmental
Engineering. 137(8):678-688.
Singleton, V., B. Jacob, M. Feeney and J. Little. 2013. Modeling a Proposed Quarry Reservoir for
Raw Water Storage in Atlanta, Georgia. Journal of Environmental Engineering 139(1):70-
78.
Wells, S. A., V.I. Wells and C. Berger. 2012. Impact of Phosphorus Loading from the Watershed
on Water Quality Dynamics in Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma, USA. Proceedings World

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Environmental and Water Resources Congress, EWRI, ASCE, Albuquerque, NM, pp. 888-
899.
Wells, V. I. and S.A. Wells. 2012. CE-QUAL-W2 Water Quality and Fish-bioenergetics Model of
Chester Morse Lake and the Cedar River. Proceedings World Environmental and Water
Resources Congress, EWRI, ASCE, Albuquerque, NM, pp. 2756-2767.
Zhang, H., D.A. Culver and L. Boegman. 2008. A two-dimensional ecological model of Lake Erie:
Application to estimate dreissenid impacts on large lake plankton populations. Ecological
Modelling. 214(2-4):219-241.
Ziaie, R., B. Mohammadnexhad, M. Taheriyoun, A.Karimi and S. Amiri. 2019. Evaluation of thermal
stratification and eutrophication in Zayandeh Roud Dam Reservoir using two-dimensional
CE-QUAL-W2 Model. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 145(6).

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CORMIX
CORMIX is a mixing zone model and decision support system for environmental impact
assessment of regulatory mixing zones resulting from continuous point source discharges.
The system emphasizes the role of boundary interactions to predict steady-state mixing
behavior and plume geometry.

CORMIX contains systems to model discharges where initial mixing zone characteristics
are desired. Discharge types that can be modeled include power plant cooling waters,
desalinization facilities or drilling rig brines, and municipal wastewater. The effluents
considered may be conservative, non-conservative, heated, brine discharges, or
contain suspended sediments. CORMIX can be applied across a variety of waterbodies
ranging from estuaries, deep oceans, rivers, to stratified reservoirs and lakes. CORMIX
makes near-field and far-field plume trajectory, shape, concentration, and
dilution predictions and visualizations within these waterbodies.

BACKGROUND
CORMIX development began in 1986 at Cornell University under a contract with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) (Environmental Research Laboratory, Athens,
GA; Thomas Barnwell, Program Officer).

CORMIX is no longer distributed or supported by the U.S. EPA. Information on a Windows

version of CORMIX is available at cormix.info.

MODEL STATUS
The current model versions are

11.0E (Free Evaluation Release)

11.0G (General Release),
11.0GT (Advanced Tools),
11.0GTH (Advanced Tools Hydraulics),
11.0GTS (Advanced Tools Sediment),
11.0 GTD (Advanced Tools Design), and
11.0 GTR* (Research Tools Release).
The feature comparison of the different versions of CORMIX v10.0 can be found at
http://www.mixzon.com/sales/featcomp.php.

CORMIX v11.0 was released in 2018 and is available for purchase and download at
www.mixzon.com/downloads/. Previous versions are not available for download.

The version history of the CORMIX model is provided in Table 1.

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Release Proprietary/
Version Developer
Date Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 1.00 Cornell University 1989 Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 2.00 Cornell University 1992 Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 2.10 Cornell University 1993 Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 3.00 Cornell University 1994 Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 3.10 Cornell University 1995 Non-Proprietary
DOS Version 3.20 Cornell University 1996 Non-Proprietary
Oregon Graduate
CORMIX-GI Version 4.00 1999 Proprietary
Institute
CORMIX-GI Version 4.1E, 4.1G, Oregon Graduate
2000 Proprietary
4.1GT, 4.1GTR Institute
CORMIX Version 4.2E, 4.2G,
MixZon, Inc. 2002 Proprietary
4.2GT, 4.2GTR
CORMIX Version 4.3E, 4.3G,
MixZon, Inc. 2004 Proprietary
4.3GT, 4.3GTR
CORMIX Versions 5.0E, 5.0G,
MixZon, Inc. 2007 Proprietary
5.0GT, 5.0GTS, 5.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 6.0E, 6.0G,
MixZon, Inc. 2009 Proprietary
6.0GT, 6.0GTS, 6.0GTD, 6.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 7.0E, 7.0G,
7.0GT, 7.0GTH, 7.0GTS, MixZon, Inc. 2011 Proprietary
7.0GTD, 7.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 8.0E, 8.0G,
7.0GT, 8.0GTH, 8.0GTS, MixZon, Inc. 2012 Proprietary
8.0GTD, 8.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 9.0E, 9.0G,
9.0GT, 9.0GTH, 9.0GTS, MixZon, Inc. 2014 Proprietary
9.0GTD, 9.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 10.0E, 10.0G,
10.0GT, 10.0GTH, 10.0GTS, MixZon, Inc. 2016 Proprietary
10.0GTD, 10.0GTR
CORMIX Versions 11.0E, 11.0G,
11.0GT, 11.0GTH, 11.0GTS, MixZon, Inc. 2018 Proprietary
11.0GTD, 11.0GTR

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The model executable can be downloaded from www.mixzon.com/downloads/ once a
MixZon user’s account is created. A Username and Password are required to download
the model. The minimum system requirements are Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10, active
internet connection with access to www.mixzon.com, 1 GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit

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processor, 1 or 2 GB RAM, and minimum of 250 MB free hard disk space

(http://www.cormix.info/releaseinfo100.php).

Source Code
The source code is not available. CORMIX is composed of mathematical models to predict
geometry and dilution characteristics of mixing zones within computer-aided-design
(CAD) interface. CORMIX is coded in NEXPERT object, an “expert systems shell,” C++,
and FORTRAN. NEXPERT is for knowledge representation and logical reasoning and
FORTRAN is for mathematical computations. C++ is used in the Windows GUI
development and graphics packages CorVue and CorSpy.

User Community Portals

There is no user community portal. However, MixZon offers CORMIX Technical Support
via a subscription service called CorSupport (www.mixzon.com/support/).
Current software licensing is required for access to CorSupport.

POINT OF CONTACT
CORMIX software is licensed and distributed solely by MixZon Inc. Contact MixZon Inc.
or Robert Doneker (doneker@ese.ogi.edu) of Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI)
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering for technical information and
support.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found at:

The user’s MixZon username and password allow the download of model theory
documentation from www.mixzon.com/downloads/ including:

CORMIX1 Technical Report (1990) Expert System for Hydrodynamic Mixing Zone Analysis of
Conventional and Toxic Submerged Single Port Discharges (CORMIX1) – [EPA/600/3-
90/012]
CORMIX2 Technical Report (1991) CORMIX2: An Expert System for Hydrodynamic Mixing Zone
Analysis of Conventional and Toxic Multiport Diffuser Discharges – [EPA/600/3-91/073]
CORMIX3 Technical Report (1996) CORMIX3: An Expert System for Mixing Zone Analysis and
Prediction of Buoyant Surface Discharges – [CR 818527]
CORMIX Tidal Applications Technical Report (1995) Buoyant Discharges into Reversing Ambient
Currents – Jonathan D. Nash Thesis.

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For user manuals:

The CORMIX User’s Manual Rev. 11.0.1.0 (2019) is available for download in Adobe Acrobat -
PDF format using the user’s MixZon account information. The User’s Manual is also part
of the CORMIX installation (www.mixzon.com/downloads/). The citation for the user’s
manual is:
Doneker, L.R. and H.G. Jirka. 2007. CORMIX User Manual. A Hydrodynamic Mixing Zone Model
and Decision Support System for Pollutant Discharges into Surface Waters. EPA-823-K-
07-001.

Training Materials
MixZon Inc. provides a web based, online CORMIX training series that covers introductory
CORMIX topics (http://www.mixzon.com/training/). The training series consists of
four two-hour Introductory Classes that focus on regulatory background, definition of
mixing zones, mixing processes, and the CORMIX mixing zone model application and use
with illustrative case studies. In addition to the online training course, MixZon
offers CORMIX Technical Support via a subscription service called CorSupport.
Current software licensing is required for access to CorSupport.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Belinger, T. and G.H. Jirka. 2010. Environmental Planning, Prediction and Management of Brine
Discharges from Desalination Plants Institute for Hydromechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology, Germany.
Doneker, R.L., A. Ramachandran and F. Opila. 2016. Riverine Multiport Diffuser Dye Dilution Study
and Mixing Zone Modeling. 155-165. 10.1061/9780784479889.017, presented at World
Environmental & Water Resources Congress, May 22–26, 2016, West Palm Beach, FL.
Loya-Fernandez, A., L. Ferrero-Vicente, C. Marco-Mendez, E. Martinez-Garcia, J. Zubcoff and J.
Sanchez Lizaso. 2017. Quantifying the efficiency of a mono-port diffuser in the dispersion
of brine discharges. Desalination. 431:27-34.
Nigam, S., B. Padma, S. Rao and A. Srivastava. 2013. Effect of thermal discharge of cool water
outfall from liquefied natural gas (lng) plant into sea using CORMIX. Journal of Computer
and Communications. 1(2013): 1-5.
Purnama, A., M.S. Baawain and D. Shao. 2016. Simulation of sediment discharge during an outfall
dredging operation. International Journal of Oceanography 2016(8097861): 1-10.
Yang, Y., Y. Liu, Y. Qiao, F. Liu, C. Zhang and B. Wang. 2013. Near field simulation of low level
waste water released from nuclear power plants in rivers through surface by CORMIX.
Advanced Materials Research. Vols. 807-809, pp. 113-117.

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Yang, Y., Y. Qiao, X. Pan, Y. Liu, F. Liu, A. Zhang, B. Wang and C. Zhang. 2014. Research of
water body diffusion condition in near field of inland nuclear power plants in China.
Advanced Materials Research. Vols. 955-959, pp. 1722-1725.

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EFDC
The Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) is a public domain, open source,
integrated hydrodynamic and water modeling system, which also includes modules for
sediment transport and fate and transport of toxic contaminants fully integrated in a
single source code package. Model simulations can be fully coupled where hydrodynamics,
sediment, and contaminant transport are executed simultaneously. EFDC can represent
waterbodies in one, two, and three dimensions using a finite difference methodology.
Model cells are represented using a curvilinear or Cartesian grid in the horizontal plane
with two options for vertical cell spacing: Sigma-z or GVC (general vertical coordinate).
Water column transport includes 3-dimensional advection and vertical turbulent closure.
EFDC also incorporates a water quality model with eutrophication features, functionally
equivalent to CE-QUAL-ICM. The sediment module can represent multiple size classes of
cohesive and non-cohesive sediments, associated deposition and resuspension processes,
and bed geomechanics. Toxics are transported as both dissolved and sediment associated
in the water column and bed. Other model features include representation of drying and
wetting, barriers, hydraulic structures, vegetation resistance, and Lagrangian particle
tracking.

BACKGROUND
The late John Hamrick originally developed EFDC while at the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science, funded with state legislatively directed research funds. Further support was
provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's Sea Grant Program. After Dr. Hamrick joined in the
1990’s, Tetra Tech has been a major focus for continued development of EFDC—both
from continued EPA funding as well as through a variety of additional projects throughout
the country. Tetra Tech continues to support the use and enhancement of EFDC through
individual, project-specific customizations.

There is no current federally supported program to maintain, support, or enhance the

model. Project- and client-specific efforts to customize the model have resulted in multiple
customized versions developed by various entities among government, academia, and
consulting firms.

MODEL STATUS
For purposes of this summary, the publicly available, EPA version of EFDC will be referred
to as EPA-EFDC. Other entities have also developed versions of EFDC based on the 2007
EPA-EFDC. These versions are technically “newer” versions and have undergone various
customizations, sometimes significant, depending on specific program needs. For
example, the Philadelphia Water Department maintains its own version of EFDC, which
was based on the 2007 EPA-EFDC version but has been significantly customized to

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support the needs of the department. Likewise, the St. Johns Water Management District
in Florida also maintains a version of EFDC for the St. Johns River.

Sandia National Laboratories1 developed SNL-EFDC, an open source tool to support the
marine renewable-energy industry by enabling simultaneous evaluation of array power
production and environmental effects. They subsequently incorporated the module into
an open source version of the DELFT-3D application called SNL-DELFT-3d-CEC.

Dynamic Solutions-International (DSI), developed a Windows-based GUI (interface) for

pre- and post-processing of EFDC. The interface is commercially known as EFDC-
Explorer/EEMS and the version of the EFDC model is called EFDC Plus. DSI’s version of
EFDC includes a multi-thread function as well as new variables such as CO2. DSI’s website
provides links for downloading EFDC Plus as well as the EPA-EFDC version. The user must
register to download all files from the website. EFDC Plus, EFDC-Explorer/EEMS, and the
grid generator are all proprietary. DIS provides the source code for only their single-
thread version to licensees upon request.

In 2017, Tetra Tech developed Visual EFDC (VEFDC), a user-graphical interface for
creating and editing curvilinear orthogonal grids for EFDC as well as for creating and
manipulating input data files and model output results. VEFDC is not open-source but
Tetra Tech distributes the interface to clients and upon request. In addition to the above
EFDC model versions and GUIs, other pre and post processing GUI tools for EFDC are
commercially available (e.g., grid generation tools and post processing tools to support
various graphics packages). Funding to support development of these tools has come
from various sources, so they are not all necessarily publicly available, or their source
code may not be available.

The version history of EPA-EFDC and others is summarized in the table below. All of the
non-EPA versions are derived from the EPA version.

1
Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by
National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National
Nuclear Security Administration.
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Version Release Non- Developer Operating Code language Available

Date Proprietary System Source
Code?

EPA_EFDC 2007 Yes Tetra Tech Windows FORTRAN Yes

v 1.1 Inc. 95/98/NT/2K
/XP
EFDC_Expl 2017 No DSI Visual Basic/ EFDC DSI
orer 8.2/ FORTRAN source code
EFDC DSI to clients
EEMS 10 / 2019 No DSI Win 10 C#/FORTRAN EFDC DSI
EFDC Plus source code
to clients

EFDC_Vie 2017 Yes, must Tetra Tech, Windows FORTRAN Yes

w register Inc.
SNL-EFDC 10/20/2015 Yes Sandia Linux FORTRAN Yes
1 0.0 National
(Beta) Laboratories

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
Table below provides the link to download various versions.
Version Release Download Page
Date
EPA_EFDC v 2007 https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-
1.1 models/environment-fluid-dynamics-code-efdc-
download-page
EFDC_Explorer 2017 Not available for download
8.2
EEMS 10.1 2019 https://www.eemodelingsystem.com/user-
center/downloads

CVLGrid 1.1 2016 https://www.eemodelingsystem.com/user-

center/downloads

SNL-EFDC 1 0.0 2015 http://snl-efdc.sourceforge.net/

(Beta)
VEFDC 2.0.0.20 2017 Contact brian.watson@tetratech.com
The VEFDC setup package includes the GUI as well as the EFDC executable and user manuals.

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Source Code
Table below provides availability of the source code to the various versions.
Version Availability of Source Code
EPA_EFDC v Source code is available from EPA’s Center for Exposure Assessment
1.1 Modeling (CEAM).

EFDC_Explorer Source code is not available for the multi-thread version of the EFDC_Plus
8.2 model. Otherwise, source code is provided upon request to clients and
users with a paid license.

EEMS 10.1 Not available

CVLGrid 1.1 Not available

SNL-EFDC 1 0.0 Executable and source code are available. Must submit order request--
(Beta) https://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/1242511 or download from the
following location: http://snl-efdc.sourceforge.net/

VEFDC 2.0.0.20 Not available

USER COMMUNITY PORTALS

• EPA-EFDC –A Yahoo user group was active under Dr. Hamrick; it no longer
exists.
• DSI hosts two user forums for the EFDC Explorer application and one for EFDC:
https://www.eemodelingsystem.com/user-center/forum
• SNL-EFDC – none
• VEFDC – none

POINT OF CONTACT

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Table below provides the points of contact to the various versions.

Version Points of Contact
EPA_EFDC v 1.1 EPA’s Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)

EFDC_Explorer https://dynamicsolutions.com/

EEMS 10.1

CVLGrid 1.1

SNL-EFDC 1 0.0 (Beta) Possible Contact: Jesse Roberts – jdrober@sandia.gov

VEFDC 2.0.0.20 brian.watson@tetratech.com

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

USER MANUAL
Multiple theoretical and academic EFDC References:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/EFDC_References.pdf

The theoretical and computational documentation for EPA-EFDC consists of a user manual
and three separate volumes.

• EFDC user manual EPA version 101 (PDF)

• EFDC Hydrodynamics Mass Transport Manual (PDF) (60 pp, 411 K)
• EFDC Sediment Contaminant Transport Manual (PDF) (96 pp, 631 K)
• EFDC Water Quality Manual (PDF) (90 pp, 606 K)
Documentation for EFDC Plus/Explorer is available here:

https://www.eemodelingsystem.com/user-center/modeling-resources

• The following manuals are available for SNL-EFDC:Model User Manual

• Sediment Transport User Manual
• pH Effects User Manual

Training Materials
• EPA-EFDC

EPA’s modeling workgroup sponsored the “Introduction to EFDC” webinar in February

2017 (available at https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/tmdl-modeling).
o EPA Region 3 supported a multi-day training that included EFDC topics (2010).
 Overview of Receiving Water Modeling
 Introduction to EFDC

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 Grid Generation
 EFDCView Preprocessor/Model Setup
 EFDC
 Linkage to LSPC
 EFDCView Model setup
 Hydrodynamic Calibration
o EPA Region 3 sponsored a ‘TMDL Toolbox Training’ covering topics similar EFDC
topics (2006).
o EPA Region 6 sponsored a Dissolved Oxygen modeling training in which EFDC
was discussed but QUAL2K was the main model focus (2007).
• EFDC-Explorer – 32-hour training course offered. (Training)
• SNL-EFDC – none
• VEFDC – none

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Camacho, R. A., J.L Martin, B. Watson, M.J. Paul, L. Zheng and J.B. Stribling. 2014. Modeling the
factors controlling phytoplankton in the St. Louis Bay Estuary, Mississippi and evaluating
estuarine responses to nutrient load modifications. Journal of Environmental Engineering.
141(3): 04014067.
Chen, Y., R. Zou, H. Su, S. Bai, M. Faizullabhoy , Y. Wu and H Guo. 2017. Development of an
Integrated Water Quality and Macroalgae Simulation Model for Tidal Marsh Eutrophication
Control Decision Support. Water. 2017(9): 277.
Tetra Tech, Inc. 2015. South Saskatchewan River In-Stream Water Quality Model. Prepared for
Alberta Environment and Parks, Calgary, Alberta.
Tetra Tech, Inc. 2015. Final Report: Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Modeling Report for the
Savannah Harbor, Georgia. Prepared for Department of the Army, Savannah District,
Corps of Engineers. Final Report, Version 3. Atlanta, GA.
Tetra Tech, Inc. 2014. Sheep River In-Stream Water Quality Model Modelling. Prepared for Alberta
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Calgary, Alberta.

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HAWQS
The Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) is not a model, but a web-based
interactive water quantity and quality modeling system that uses the Soil and Water
Assessment Tool (SWAT) as its core model. HAWQS provides users with interactive web
interfaces and maps; pre-loaded national input data; outputs that include tables, charts,
and raw output data; and online development, execution, and storage of a user's
modeling projects. The on-line, pre-loaded data approach makes initial applications easy.
The modeling system does not provide direct access to the full set of SWAT model
functions, which can limit user ability to tailor the model to site-specific conditions.
However, HAWQS will allow the user to download a SWAT model that can be further
refined within the SWAT interface.

BACKGROUND
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water supports and provides
project management and funding for HAWQS. The Texas A&M University Spatial Sciences
Laboratory and EPA provide ongoing technical support including system design, modeling,
and software development.

MODEL STATUS
HAWQS Version 1.2 is a non-proprietary modeling tool that was released in October 2020.
Future versions will be released based on user needs.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
HAWQS is run entirely on a server, therefore personal computing requirements are
minimal. HAWQS requires a web browser, such as the latest version of Chrome, Firefox,
or Safari, Internet Explorer 11, or Microsoft Edge. HAWQS can be accessed at
epahawqs.tamu.edu/

Source Code
The FORTRAN source code for the SWAT model used in HAWQS is available for download
at swat.tamu.edu/software/swat-executables/.

User Community Portals

There is no HAWQS community portal.

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POINT OF CONTACT
For assistance with account settings and system errors, users can contact
eco.web@tamu.edu. For assistance with training and use cases, users can contact
hawqs@epa.gov.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
HAWQS does not have its own model theory documentation because it is a modeling
interface tool rather than a model. All model theory documentation for the SWAT model
can be found at swat.tamu.edu/documentation/. The documentation includes Soil and
Water Assessment Tool Theoretical Documentation for SWAT versions 2000, 2005 and
2009 (Neitsch et al. 2002, 2005 and 2011). There is also Input/Output File Documentation
for SWAT versions 2005, 2009 and 2012 (Neitsch et al. 2004 and 2011; Arnold et al.
2012).

The primary HAWQS v1.1 User Guide was released in May 2019 and can be downloaded
at hawqs.tamu.edu/#/help. Information on the interface updates in HAWQS v1.2, such
as the ability to collaborate on HAWQS projects as a group, is also available at
hawqs.tamu.edu/#/help.

Training Materials
In addition to the User’s Manual (https://hawqs.tamu.edu/content/docs/HAWQS-User-
Guide.pdf), the EPA HAWQS website (https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/hawqs-
hydrologic-and-water-quality-system) provides a link to a training webcast from August
2016 and a link to the slides from the webcast. For assistance with training, users can
contact hawqs@epa.gov.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Arnold, J.G., J.R. Kiniry, R. Srinivasan, J.R. Williams, E.B. Haney, S.L. Neitsch. 2012. Soil Water
Assessment Tool Input/Output Documentation Version 2012. Texas Water Resources
Institute. College Station, TX.
Chen, M., Gassman, P. W., Srinivasan, R., Cui, Y. and Arritt, R. 2020. Analysis of alternative
climate datasets and evapotranspiration methods for the Upper Mississippi River Basin
using SWAT within HAWQS. Science of the Total Environment. 720:137562.
Fant, C., R. Srinivasan, B. Boehlert, L. Rennels, S. Chapra, K. M. Strzepek, J. Corona, A. Allen and
J. Martinich. 2017. Climate Change Impacts on US Water Quality Using Two Models:
HAWQS and US Basins. Water. 9(118).

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Neitsch, S.L., J.G. Arnold, J.R. Kiniry, J.R. Williams. 2011. Soil and Water Assessment Tool
Theoretical Documentation for SWAT Version 2009. Texas A&M University. College Station,
TX.
Yen, H., P. Daggupati, J.M. White, R. Srinivasan, A. Gossel, D. Wells and G.J. Arnold. 2016.
Application of Large-Scale, Multi-Resolution Watershed Modeling Framework Using the
Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS). Water. 8(164).

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HSPF
The Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive model for the
simulation of watershed hydrology and water quality for both conventional and toxic
pollutants. It enables simulation of both land-based runoff, temperature, and pollutant
loading with instream hydraulic and pollutant fate and transport processes in 1-
dimensional stream channels. Watershed hydrology simulation is based on the Stanford
Watershed Model and consists of a water balance method that defines the water storage
for surface and soil layers. Water storage is modified by interception, infiltration,
evapotranspiration, and losses to inactive groundwater with outflows simulated from
surface and subsurface (interflow and groundwater outflow) layers. Sediment is simulated
as cohesive (silt and clay) and non-cohesive (sand) fractions with loading based on
detachment/scour and transport algorithms. Other pollutant loads can be simulated
generally using build-up wash-off functions and instream transport and fate processes or
using agricultural and eutrophication modules that explicitly represent the application,
transformation, interaction, and fate of nutrients, phytoplankton, gases, pH, and
pesticides. HSPF also includes a special action block for simulating management activities.

BACKGROUND
HSPF was originally developed by Crawford et al. (1966) as the Stanford Watershed
Model—a hydraulic and hydrologic model. Development of a FORTRAN version, which
included water quality processes, was funded by the Athens, Georgia, Research Lab of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and released in 1974 under its current
name Hydrologic Simulation Program, Fortran (HSPF). In the 1980s, pre- and post-
processing software, algorithm enhancements, and use of the USGS binary Watershed
Data Management (WDM) system were developed jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) and EPA. This included work performed by HydroComp, Inc. and included the
development of the original user’s manual as part of the Version 5.0 release. Since 1980,
all model code changes have been maintained by AQUA TERRA Consultants (now a
subsidiary of RESPEC), under contract with EPA and USGS. During the mid to late 1990s,
Tetra Tech, Inc., under contract with EPA developed the BASINS system and Non-point
Source Model (NPSM), resulting in the first Windows-based interface for the HSPF model.

The current supported model release is Version 12.5, distributed with BASINS 4.5 as the
WinHSPF model and interface. WinHSPF is a standalone application, however, and can
be run outside of the BASINS platform. The version 12 series includes a number of new
options and enhancements, as well as bug fixes.

MODEL STATUS
HSPF Version 12.5 is distributed with BASINS 4.5, with an initial release in 2018. WinHSPF
Version 3.0 beta and Version 2.3 are distributed with BASINS 4.5 as GUIs for the

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underlying HSPF algorithms and can be downloaded at https://www.epa.gov/exposure-

assessment-models/basins-download-and-installation. All versions of HSPF are
nonproprietary.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
Model executables for the WinHSPF versions distributed with BASINS 4.5 are available as
Version 2.3 and Version 3.0, both of which run HSPF Version 12.5. HSPF Version 11.0
available from USGS at the link above.

Source Code
The HSPF algorithms are coded in FORTRAN 77. Source code for Version 11.0, released
in 1996, is available from USGS at https://water.usgs.gov/software/HSPF/. Code for
newer versions is maintained in a GitHub repository at
https://github.com/respec/FORTRAN/tree/c869a580fc35befc2b702f6420b7a0da05953f2
f/lib3.0/SRC.

User Community Portals

BASINS offers an online community where users can exchange questions and answers,
including those relevant to HSPF, which can be joined by sending an email to
lyris@lists.epa.gov, leaving the "Subject:" field blank and putting "subscribe basinsinfo
firstname lastname" in the body of the text.

Point of Contact
U.S. Geological Survey point-of-contact is:

U.S. Geological Survey

Hydrologic Analysis Software Support Program
437 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
h2osoft@usgs.gov

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The WinHSPF/BASINs point of contact is:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
960 College Station Road
Athens, Georgia 30605-2700
Contact EPA

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found at:

Bicknell, B.R., J.C. Imhoff, J.L. Kittle, Jr., A.S. Donigian and R.C. Johanson. 1997. Hydrological
Simulation Program--Fortran, User's Manual for Version 11. EPA/600/R-97/080, prepared
for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory,
Athens, GA.
HSPF User’s Manual (Bicknell et al. 1997) for Version 11.0 is available from the USGS at
https://water.usgs.gov/software/HSPF/ and includes model theory documentation for the
included simulation algorithms.
The current version of the HSPF User’s Manual is distributed as a Windows Help file
available as part of the BASINS 4.5 download package available at
https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/basins-download-and-installation
and includes model theory documentation for the included simulation algorithms. The
model code has been largely stable over the last 15 years, and the latest print version
of the documentation is:

Bicknell, B.R., J.C. Imhoff, J.L. Kittle, T.H. Jobes, Jr. and A.S. Donigian. 2005. HSPF Version 12.2
User’s Manual User's. Prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National
Exposure Research Laboratory, Athens, GA.

Training Materials
Recommendations for the application of HSPF are contained in the following article:

Duda, P.B., P.R. Hummel, A.S. Donigian, Jr., and J.C. Imhoff. 2012. BASINS/HSPF: Model use,
calibration, and validation. Transactions of the ASABE, 55(4): 1523-1547.
HSPF tutorials are included as part of the BASINS software distribution and are available
at https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/basins-tutorials-and-training. The
BASINS website also contains a series of Technical Notes, many of which focus on
different aspects of the construction and calibration of HSPF models. See
https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/basins-technical-notes.

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USGS provides user training on an annual and upon-request basis as detailed at

https://water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/man_wrdapp?hspf. RESPEC also provides regular training
sessions (https://www.respec.com/product/basinshspf-training/).

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Model Application Publications:

Berndt, M.E., W. Rutelonis, and C. P. Regan. 2016. A comparison of results from a hydrologic
transport model (HSPF) with distributions of sulfate and mercury in a mine-impacted
watershed in northeastern Minnesota, Journal of Environmental Management, 181: 74-79.
Duda, P.B., P. R. Hummel, A. S. Donigian, Jr., and J. C. Imhoff. 2012. BASINS/HSPF: Model use,
calibration, and validation. Trans. ASABE, 55(4): 1523-1547.
Dudula, J., and T.O. Randhir. 2016. Modeling the influence of climate change on watershed
systems: Adaptation through targeted practices. Journal of Hydrology, 541(B): 703-713.
Luo, C., Z. Li, K. Jiang., X. Chen, and H. Li. 2017. Comprehensive study on parameter sensitivity
for flow and nutrient modeling in the Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran model.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(26): 20982–20994.
Mishra, A., B.R. Bicknell, P.B. Duda, A.S. Donigian, Jr. and M. H. Gray. 2017. HSPEXP+: An
enhanced expert system for HSPF model calibration—A case study of the Snake River
Watershed in Minnesota. Journal of Water Management Modeling, 25:C422.
Stern, M., L. Flint, J. Minear, A. Flint, and S. Wright. 2016. Characterizing changes in streamflow
and sediment supply in the Sacramento River Basin, California, using Hydrological
Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF). Water, 8(10): 432.

Example Project Reports:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). 2009. Final TMDL Report, Nutrient TMDL
for the Caloosahatchee Estuary (WBIDs 3240A, 3240B, 3240C). Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Bureau
of Watershed Restoration, South District, Tallahassee, FL.
Michael Baker Jr., Inc., Aqua Terra, Consultants, and Dynamic Solutions, LLC. 2015. Final Setup,
Calibration and Validation for Illinois River Watershed Nutrient Model and Tenkiller Ferry
Lake EFDC Water Quality Model. Prepared for U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6, Dallas TX.
Tetra Tech, Inc. 2013. Root River Model Calibration. Prepared for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Region 5 and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency by Tetra Tech, Inc.,
Research Triangle Park, NC.

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Tetra Tech, Inc. 2012. Santa Maria Watershed TMDL – Salt Modeling. Prepared for the Central
Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Region 9
by Tetra Tech, Inc., San Diego, CA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2010. Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 3, Chesapeake Bay Program Office, Annapolis, MD.

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LSPC
Loading Simulation Program in C++ (LSPC) is a recoded version of the Hydrologic
Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF). Like HSPF, LSPC is a comprehensive model for the
simulation of watershed hydrology and water quality for both conventional and toxic
pollutants. It enables simulation of both land-based runoff, temperature, and pollutant
loading with instream hydraulic and pollutant fate and transport processes in 1-
dimensional stream channels. Watershed hydrology simulation is based on the Stanford
Watershed Model and consists of a water balance method that defines the water storage
for surface and soil layers. Water storage is modified by interception, infiltration,
evapotranspiration, and losses to inactive groundwater with outflows simulated from
surface and subsurface (interflow and groundwater outflow) layers. Sediment is simulated
as cohesive (silt and clay) and non-cohesive (sand) fractions with loading based on
detachment/scour and transport algorithms. Other pollutant loads can be simulated
generally using build-up wash-off functions and instream transport and fate processes or
using the eutrophication modules that explicitly represent the transformation, interaction,
and fate of nutrients, phytoplankton, gases, pH, and pesticides. LSPC also has a
component for representing load reductions and outflow concentration limits from best
management practices and other management activities, as well as reporting for
compliance with water quality requirements. There is no inherent limit on the size of the
watershed that can be represented in LSPC.

BACKGROUND
LSPC includes a streamlined subset of HSPF Version 11.0 algorithms. LSPC was developed
by Tetra Tech, Inc. with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and a variety of state and local government agencies. The initial public release (Version
1.0) was made available in 2002. Tetra Tech has maintained the code and performed
many updates since.

Glenn Fernandez, EPA Region 4, maintains and distributes the most recent, currently
supported version of the model (Version 5.0).

MODEL STATUS
The most current model version is Version 5.0, released in 2020. The model executable,
database, and other support files are distributed as part of the BASINS plugin packages
located at: https://www.epa.gov/ceam/basins-plugins.

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ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
LSPC can be downloaded from https://www.epa.gov/ceam/basins-plugins. LSPC is non-
proprietary.

Source Code
The underlying algorithms of LSPC are coded in C++.

Source code for the Version 5.0 model is available upon request from Glenn Fernandez.

User Community Portals

There is no currently supported user community portal.

Point of Contact
Glenn Fernandez
U.S. EPA Region 4
Tel: 404-562-8541
Email: fernandez.glenn@epa.gov

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
The underlying algorithms of LSPC are based on those developed for HSPF Version 11.0.
Model theory documentation for the latest peer reviewed version of that model (Version
11.0) is available from the USGS at https://water.usgs.gov/software/HSPF/.

The Version 5.0 model user manual (Tetra Tech 2017) is Loading Simulation Program in
C++ (LSPC) Version 5.0 – User’s Manual and is available with LSPC Download package.
Training Materials
None.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

For the last decade, Tetra Tech has supported Georgia Environmental Protection
Division in the development of the State Water Plan
(https://waterplanning.georgia.gov/state-water-plan). LSPC was used as the primary
watershed model for the Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) resource
assessment (https://waterplanning.georgia.gov/resource-assessments/surface-water-
quality).

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Other reports of recent LSPC model applications include:

Tetra Tech, Inc. 2016. Watershed Model Development to Support the San Diego Region Beaches
and Creeks Bacteria TMDLs. Prepared for the City of San Diego Storm Water Division. San
Diego CA.
Tetra Tech, Inc. 2014. Lake B. Everett Jordan Watershed Model Report. Prepared for the North
Carolina Nutrient Science Advisory Board, North Carolina Division of Water Resources and
Triangle J Council of Governments. Research Triangle Park, NC.
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ). 2016. James River Watershed Model
Refinements for Chlorophyll-a Criteria Assessment. Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality, Richmond VA.

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QUAL2KW/QUAL2K
QUAL2Kw, is a one-dimensional river and stream water quality model that simulates
temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, pH, periphyton, macrophytes, phytoplankton,
and sediment diagenesis. Based on QUAL2K (Chapra and Pelletier 2003), it includes
additional processes and options relative to the original QUAL2K. Both models are
modernized version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) QUAL2E model,
incorporating more recent science and allowing for application to shallow, upland streams.
QUAL2E, QUAL2K, and QUAL2Kw have historically been applied to steady state
representation of stream responses with (primarily dissolved oxygen and temperature)
diel variability in boundary conditions. Version 6 of QUAL2Kw now allows continuous
simulation with non-steady, non-uniform flow using kinematic wave flow routing. The
model framework includes a genetic algorithm to automate the calibration of kinetic
parameters and provides capabilities for Monte Carlo simulation investigation of
uncertainty and sensitivity. Water quality simulations include nutrient dynamics, algal
production, dissolved oxygen with the impact of benthic and carbonaceous demand, pH,
and alkalinity.

BACKGROUND
Developed by Greg Pelletier (retired, formerly with the State of Washington Department
of Ecology) and Steve Chapra and Hua Tao (Tufts University).

MODEL STATUS
The State of Washington Department of Ecology has maintained the model and provided
financial resources that support public access to the model, continued updates, and
maintenance of updated documentation.

ACCESSIBILITY
QUAL2Kw is distributed by the State of Washington Department of Ecology at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/models.html

Model Executable
The model uses Microsoft Excel as the user interface. The Excel interface calls a compiled
dynamic link library to perform numerical calculations, with results returned to the Excel
interface.

Source Code
QUAL2Kw is nonproprietary. It uses Microsoft Excel as the user interface for input,
running and viewing output—programmed in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). The core
model is a compiled Fortran 95 program run by the Excel VBA program.

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VBA source code is available and unlocked in the Microsoft Excel developer windows. The
Fortran source code is not supplied on the Ecology server.

User Community Portals

QUAL2K User Group—note this is a user group for QUAL2K not QUAL2Kw but some posts
related to QUAL2Kw have been made.

Point of Contact
Nuri Mathieu
Environmental Engineer
Department of Ecology,
Email: nuri.mathieu@ecy.wa.gov

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

General information is provided at the following link:

Washington State Department of Ecology Model Page with overview information for
QUAL2Kw

User Manual
Model theory documentation can be found at:

Pelletier, Gregory J., S. Chapra, and H. Tao. 2006. QUAL2Kw - A framework for modeling water
quality in streams and rivers using a genetic algorithm for calibration. Environmental
Modelling and Software.21: 419-425.
For user manuals:

Version 5.1
QUAL2Kw Theory and Documentation (version 5.1) A modeling framework for simulating river
and stream water quality. July 2008. Publication Number 04-03-010. (Available with model
download)

Version 6.0
No documentation accompanies the download with Version 6.0. While this version contains some
features that are not in Version 5.1, the 5.1 materials are applicable to Version 6.0.

Training Materials
EPA Modeling Workgroup Water Quality Modeling Webinar #4: Nooksack River
QUAL2Kw Temperature Model and Climate Change Scenarios. The model co-developer,
Greg Pelletier, may offer training on QUAL2Kw.

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EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Project Application Papers:

Albuquerque, M.T.D., I.M.H.R. Antunes, N.P. Oliveira ad G. Pelletier. 2019. Impact of sewage
effluent discharges prediction using QUAL2Kw in a sensitive protected area: Portugal. SN
Applied Sciences. 2019(1):1167.

Aliffia, A. and N. Karnaningroem. 2019. Simulation of pollution load capacity using QUAL2Kw
model in Kali Surabaya River (Cangkir-Sepanjang segment). IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ.
Sci. 259(012019): 8pp.
Butcher, J. B., M. Faizullabhoy, H. Nicholas, P. Cada, and J. T. Kennedy. 2016. Quantitative
Assessment of Temperature Sensitivity of the South Fork Nooksack River under Future
Climates using QUAL2Kw. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC,
EPA/600/R-14/233.
Cristea, N.C., and S. J. Burges. 2010. An assessment of the current and future thermal regimes
of three streams located in the Wenatchee River basin, Washington State: Some
implications for regional river basin systems. Climatic Change. 102:493–520.
Flynn, K., M. Suplee, S. Chapra and H. Tao. 2015. Model-based nitrogen and phosphorus
(nutrient) criteria for large temperate rivers: 1. Model development and application.
Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 51(2).
Gikas, G.D. 2014. Water quality of drainage canals and assessment of nutrient loads using
QUAL2Kw. Environmental Processes. 1(4): 369-385.
Kannel, P.R., S. Lee, Y.-S. Lee, S.R. Kanel, and G.J. Pelletier. 2007. Application of automated
QUAL2Kw for water quality modeling and management in the Bagmati River, Nepal.
Ecological Modeling. 202: 503-517.
Sharma, D., A. Kansal, and G. Pelletier. 2017. Water quality modeling for urban reach of Yamuna
River, India (1999–2009), using QUAL2Kw. Applied Water Science. 7(3): 1535-1559.
Taherisoudejani, H., E. Racchetti, F. Celico and M. Bartoli. 2019. Application of QUAL2Kw to the
Oligio River (Northern Italy) to assess diffuse N pollution via river-groundwater interaction.
Journal of Limnology. 77(3).
Turner, D.F., G.J. Pelletier, and B. Kasper. 2009. Dissolved oxygen and pH modeling of a
periphyton dominated, nutrient enriched river. Journal of Environmental Engineering.
135(8): 645-652.

TMDLs:

North Fork Palouse River TMDL:

(https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1510029.html)

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Wenatchee River TMDL:

(https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/0810062.html)

Bear-Evans Watershed TMDL:

(https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/0810058.html)

Jordan River TMDL:

(https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/watershed-monitoring-program/jordan-river-dissolved-
oxygen-tmdl-watershed-management-program)
Umpqua Basin TMDL:
(http://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/tmdls/Pages/TMDLs-Umpqua-Basin.aspx)

Appendix 3 of the Umpqua Basin TMDL describes the model application:

(http://www.oregon.gov/deq/FilterDocs/umpappx3nut.pdf)

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SPARROW
The SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model
applies statistical methods to relate measured water quality with local landscape
characteristics. The model uses a multi-variable regression equation to relate instream
water quality measurements to those characteristics, including land use, point sources,
soil type, precipitation, and other environmental measures. The model also explicitly
considers factors that affect the timing and delivery of pollutants. This statistical approach
to non-conservative transport allows the model to estimate loads in ungaged basins,
assuming that the explanatory datasets are available to characterize the area under
examination. Empirical estimates of relative source contributions are also included. In
general, model output is used to describe water quality loading and concentration
conditions representative of long-term averages.

BACKGROUND
SPARROW was developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Richard Smith,
Gregory Schwarz, and Richard Alexander are the original developers of SPARROW.

The USGS released an R-based version of SPARROW in October 2019 (RSPARROW). They
also developed a web-based mapping system to illustrate and explore SPARROW model
results (SPARROW MAPPERS).

SPARROW models are typically based on long-term averaging and load adjustments for
changes in flow and sources; however, dynamic versions of SPARROW models are being
developed to take advantage of temporal varied calibration time series and remote
sensing datasets. Dynamic SPARROW models will account for temporary storage of
contaminants and seasonal variations. Dynamic versions will also simulate contaminant
loads over time to estimate the time needed for management actions on the land to affect
the in-stream load.

SPARROW decision support system (DSS) is no longer available as of July 31, 2017.
Contact Steve Preston (spreston@usgs.gov) with questions. The site provided access to
all publicly available calibrated SPARROW models and would allow the users to display
scenario results.

SPARROW is maintained by USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) to

address the changing water quality in response to human and natural factors. The current
cycle for NAWQA is planned to run through 2022.

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MODEL STATUS
The version history of SPARROW is summarized in the table below.

Version Release Proprietary or Available

Date Non- for
proprietary Download
Version 1.0 12/1997 Non-proprietary No
Version 2.1 04/2006 Non-proprietary No
Version 2.6 8/2006 Non-proprietary Yes
Version 2.7 12/2006 Non-proprietary Yes
Version 2.8 6/2007 Non-proprietary Yes
Version 2.9 10/2007 Non-proprietary Yes
Version 2.10 3/2019 Non-proprietary Yes

System requirements include: SAS version 8.0 (or higher), Windows 95 or Windows NT
Version 4.0 (or higher), 64 megabytes of memory, and minimum hardware configuration
of Intel or Intel-compatible Pentium class processor. The model execution requires the
following SAS components: Base SAS, the SAS statistical procedure (SAS/STAT) and
SAS/IML. The SAS Geographic Information System (SAS/GIS) component is optional.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
Model executable and source code is downloadable from USGS (see table below).

Version Link Source Code

Available
Version 2.6 Download Version 2.6 Yes
Version 2.7 Download Version 2.7 Yes
Version 2.8 Download Version 2.8 Yes
Version 2.9 Download Version 2.9 Yes
Version 2.10 Download Version 2.10 Yes
Optional GIS Files Download GIS Files N/A
RSPARROW Download RSPARROW Yes

Source Code
The SPARROW model code is written in SAS macro language, with statistical procedures
written in the SAS IML. The source code is available within the download package. The
control files for specific models would only be available from the model developers.

RSPARROW is an R scripts-based open source version of the USGS SPARROW water-

quality model, with new features that improve the utility of the model for conducting

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studies of contaminants in surface waters and informing water resource management

decisions. RSPARROW extends the capabilities of the current proprietary SAS SPARROW
version and streamlines user and R developer access to SPARROW modeling technology.

User Community Portals

There is no user community portal.

Point of Contact
The national SPARROW contacts are summarized in the following table.

Contact National or Regional Contact Information

Level
Steve Preston National 302-734-2506
(spreston@usgs.gov)
David Saad National 608-821-3865 (dasaad@usgs.gov)
David Wolock National (RSPARROW) 785-832-3528
(dwolock@usgs.gov)
Richard Smith National (Dynamic SPARROW) 703-648-6870
(rsmith1@usgs.gov)

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

USER MANUAL
A user manual and journal article represent the theoretical documentation for SPARROW.

• Regional interpretation of water-quality monitoring data (1997)

• The SPARROW Surface Water- Quality Model: Theory, Application and User
Documentation (2006)
• Nutrient Inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by Sources and Watershed Estimated
Using SPARROW watershed Models (2011)
• RSPARROW User Guide and Example Files (2019)

TRAINING MATERIALS
No training materials available.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Alexander, R.B., G.E. Schwarz and E.W. Boyer. 2019. Advances in quantifying streamflow
variability across continental scales: 2. Improved model regionalization and prediction
uncertainties using hierarchical Bayesian methods. Water Resources Research.
55(12):11061-11087.

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Garcia, A.M., A.B. Hoos and S. Terziotti. 2011. A regional modeling framework of phosphorus
sources and transport in streams of the southeastern united states: A regional modeling
framework of phosphorus sources and transport in streams of the southeastern United
States. JAWRA. 47(5):991-1010.
Keum, J. and J.J. Kaluarachchi. 2015. Calibration and uncertainty analysis using the SPARROW
model for dissolved-solids transport in the Upper Colorado River basin. JAWRA.
51(5):1192-1210.
Miller, M., S. Buto, P. Lambert and C. Rumsey. 2017. Enhanced and updated spatially
referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in
streams of the Upper Colorado River basin. U.S. Geological Survey. Reston, VA.
Miller, M.P., P.D. Capel, A.M. Garcia and S.W. Ator. 2019. Response of nitrogen loading to the
Chesapeake Bay to source reduction and land use change scenarios: a SPARROW‐
informed analysis. JAWRA. 56(1):100-112.
Moore, R.B., C.M. Johnston, R.A. Smith and B. Milstead. 2011. Source and delivery of nutrients
to receiving waters in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
JAWRA. 47(5):965-990.
Robertson, D.M., D.A. Saad, G.A. Benoy, I. Vouk, G.E. Schwarz and M.T. Laitta. 2019.
Phosphorus and nitrogen transport in the binational Great Lakes basin estimated using
SPARROW watershed models. JAWRA. 55(6):1401-1424.
Saleh, D. and J. Domagalski. 2015. SPARROW modeling of nitrogen sources and transport in
rivers and streams of California and adjacent states, U.S. JAWRA. 51(6): 1487-1507.
Wise, D.R. 2019. Spatially Referenced Models of Streamflow and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and
Suspended-Sediment Loads in Streams of the Pacific Region of the United States.
Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5112. Reston, VA.

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SWAT
The objective of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is to predict the
effect of management decisions on water, sediment, nutrient, and pesticide yields with
reasonable accuracy in moderate to large scale watersheds. SWAT is widely used in
assessing soil erosion prevention and control, nonpoint source pollution control, and
regional management in watersheds, especially agricultural watersheds. SWAT
incorporates the EPIC plant growth model. Runoff is generally simulated at a daily time
step using a modified Curve Number approach, although sub-daily Green-Ampt infiltration
can also be used for hydrology, while sediment yield is based on the Modified Universal
Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE). In-stream simulation uses a daily time step.

BACKGROUND
SWAT is a watershed model jointly developed and maintained by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research,
which is part of The Texas A&M University System.

MODEL STATUS
The current model version is SWAT2012 rev. 681, released in June 2020. In addition to
SWAT2012, SWAT+ is a new, completely revised version of the SWAT model that was
released in December 2019. Both versions of the model are still available. SWAT+
provides a more flexible spatial representation of interactions and processes within a
watershed. The basic algorithms used to calculate the processes in the model have not
changed, but the structure and organization of both the code (object based) and the
input files (relational based) have been modified.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The model executable for SWAT2012 and SWAT+ can be freely downloaded from
https://swat.tamu.edu/. Older versions (SWAT2000, 2005 and 2009) can be downloaded
from the archive site (Download archived versions of SWAT).

SOURCE CODE
The model code language is FORTRAN (including sections in both FORTRAN 77 and
FORTRAN 90 styles).

SWAT undergoes frequent revisions. The major version history of the SWAT model is
provided in table below, which includes all versions currently available for download.
SWAT99.2 and SWAT98.1 are no longer available for download.

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Proprietary/
Version Release Date
Non-Proprietary
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2000 2000
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2005 2005
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2009 2009
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2012 2012
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2012 rev. 664 2016
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2012 rev. 670 2018
Non-Proprietary
SWAT2012 rev. 681 2020
Non-Proprietary
SWAT+ 2019

The source code for each of these versions is also available for download at the same
site (https://swat.tamu.edu/).

In addition to the SWAT executables, there are also several SWAT extensions and
supplementary programs available for download. Some of these extensions are listed
below, but all extensions can be downloaded at https://swat.tamu.edu/software/.

• ArcSWAT is an ArcGIS-ArcView extension and graphical user input interface for SWAT
and is available for download at http://swat.tamu.edu/software/arcswat/.
• QSWAT is an interface for SWAT using the open source QGIS geographic information
system software and is available for download at http://swat.tamu.edu/software/qswat/
• SWAT-CUP is a calibration/uncertainty or sensitivity program interface for SWAT and can
be downloaded at http://swat.tamu.edu/software/swat-cup/ .
• SWAT Editor is an interface for editing SWAT inputs and can be downloaded at
https://swat.tamu.edu/software/swat-editor/.
• SWAT-MODFLOW is an integrated hydrological model that couples SWAT land surface
processes with spatially explicit groundwater flow processes and can be downloaded at
http://swat.tamu.edu/software/swat-modflow/.
• VIZSWAT is a visualization and analysis tool developed by Baird & Associates for SWAT
model output. VIZSWAT analyzes results from SWAT 2000, SWAT 2005, and SWAT 2009
versions as well as AVSWAT and ArcSWAT (ArcGIS-SWAT). VIZSWAT can be purchased
and downloaded from http://swat.tamu.edu/software/vizswat/.
• SWAT Check reads model output from a SWAT project and performs a variety of
parameter range and mass balance checks to identify potential model problems. SWAT
Check can be downloaded at http://swat.tamu.edu/software/swat-check/.

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• The Soil-Landscape Estimation and Evaluation Program (SLEEP) helps users generate a
spatially interpolated soil property database (required as an input to SWAT). It is
particularly useful for applications outside the U.S. where spatial soils databases are not
readily available and can be downloaded at http://swat.tamu.edu/software/sleep/.
• SWAT Baseflow Filter Program offers a Web Interface to determine runoff/baseflow
fraction in streamflow and the baseflow alpha factor required in SWAT .gw files. SWAT
Bflow can be downloaded at https://swat.tamu.edu/software/.
• The potential heat unit program estimates the number of heat units required to bring a
plant to maturity. This information must be entered in the SWAT management input file
for each plant simulated in an HRU. The potential heat unit program can be downloaded
at https://swat.tamu.edu/software/.

User Community Portals

Multiple SWAT user groups (found at http://swat.tamu.edu/support/) enable users to
exchange ideas and questions about the use of the SWAT model as well as the many
SWAT extensions or accessories. The SWAT development team monitors all messages
posted to the user groups. There are user groups for SWAT, ArcSWAT, VizSWAT, SWAT-
CUP, QSWAT and SWAT MODFLOW. International SWAT groups exist for users in Latin
America, Southeast Asia, Africa, Iran and Brazil. There are also SWAT+ user groups
available.

POINT OF CONTACT
SWAT development team: https://swat.tamu.edu/support/

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
All documentation for the SWAT model can be found at swat.tamu.edu/documentation/.
The documentation includes Soil and Water Assessment Tool Theoretical Documentation
for SWAT versions 2000, 2005 and 2009 (Neitsch et al. 2002, 2005 and 2011). There is
also Input/Output File Documentation for SWAT versions 2005, 2009 and 2012 (Neitsch
et al. 2004 and 2011; Arnold et al. 2012). Documentation also includes SWAT+ Editor
1.2.0 Documentation (Tech 2019).

The current version of the user’s manual (Arnold et al. 2012), as well as older versions
can be found at swat.tamu.edu/documentation/. User documentation for SWAT+ can
also be found at https://swatplus.gitbook.io/docs/download-docs.

Training Materials
Workshops are offered in College Station, Texas, a few times per year and the SWAT
development team also collaborates with other agencies/firms to set up workshops

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outside of Texas. The site swat.tamu.edu/workshops/ provides summaries of the different

types of workshops provided and a list of upcoming events. In addition to the workshops,
there are also training videos available that enable online instruction for SWAT users (see
swat.tamu.edu/workshops/instructional-videos/). There are also SWAT conferences
scheduled around the world (https://swat.tamu.edu/conferences/).

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Bai, J., Z. Shen, T. Yan, J. Qui and Y. Li. 2017. Predicting fecal coliform using the interval-to-
interval approach and SWAT in the Miyun watershed, China. Environmental Science and
Pollution Research. 24(18): 15462–15470.
Bhattacharyya, S. and J. Sanyal. 2019. Impact of different types of meteorological data inputs on
predicted hydrological and erosive responses to projected land use changes. J Earth Syst
Sci. 128(60).
Bieger, K., J.G. Arnold, H. Rathjens, M.J. White, D.D. Bosch, P.M. Allen, M. Volk and R. Srinivasan.
2017. Introduction to SWAT+, a Completely Restructured Version of the Soil and Water
Assessment Tool. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA). 53(1):
115– 130.
Boles, C.M., J.R. Frankenberger and D.N. Moriasi. 2015. Tile drainage simulation in SWAT2012:
parameterization and evaluation in an Indiana watershed. Transactions of the ASABE,
58(5):1201-1213.
Cambien, N., S. Gobeyn, I. Nolivos, M.A. Eurie Forio, M. Arias-Hidalgo, L. Dominguez-Granda, F.
Witing, M. Volk and P.L.M. Goethals. 2020. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to
simulate the pesticide dynamics in the data scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador. Water.
12(3): 696.
Carvalho-Santos, C., A.T. Monteiro, J.C. Azevedo, J.P. Honrado and J.P. Nunes. 2017. Climate
change impacts on water resources and reservoir management: Uncertainty and adaption
for a mountain catchment in northeast Portugal. Water Resources Management. 31(11):
3355–3370.
Chen, M., P.W. Gassman, R. Srinivasan, Y. Cui and R. Arritt. 2020. Analysis of alternative climate
datasets and evapotranspiration methods for the Upper Mississippi River Basin using
SWAT within HAWQS. Science of the Total Environment. 2020(720).
Jung, C.G. and S.J. Kim. 2017. SWAT modeling of nitrogen dynamics considering atmospheric
deposition and nitrogen fixation in a watershed scale. Agricultural Sciences. 8: 326-340.
Kundu, S., D. Khare and A. Mondal. 2017. Past, present and future land use changes and their
impact on water balance. Journal of Environmental Management. 197: 585-596.
Moriasi, D.N., P.H. Gowda, J.G. Arnold, D.J. Mulla, S. Ale and J.L. Steiner. 2013. Modeling the
impact of nitrogen fertilizer application and tile drain configuration on nitrate leaching
using SWAT. Agricultural Water Management. 130:36-43.

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Schmidt, M.L., S. Sarkar, J.B. Butcher, T.E. Johnson, and S.H. Julius. 2019. Agricultural best
management practice sensitivity to changing air temperature and precipitation.
Transactions of the ASABE. 62(4): 1021-1033.
Thodsen, H., C. Farkas, J. Chormanski, D. Trolle, G. Blicher-Mathiesen, R. Grant, A. Engebretsen,
I. Kardel and H.E. Andersen. 2017. Modeling nutrient load changes from fertilizer
application scenarios in six catchments around the Baltic Sea. Agriculture. 7(5):41.
Arnold, J.G., D. N. Moriasi, P. W. Gassman, K. C. Abbaspour, M. J. White, R. Srinivasan, C. Santhi,
R. D. Harmel, A. van Griensven, M. W. Van Liew, N. Kannan and M. K. Jha. 2012. SWAT:
Model Use, Calibration, and Validation. Transactions of the ASABE. 55(4): 1491-1508.
Douglas-Mankin, K.R., R. Srinivasan, and J.G. Arnold. 2010. Soil and Water Assessment Tool
(SWAT) model: Current developments and applications. Transactions of the ASABE.
53(5):1423-1431.
Gassman, P.W., M. R. Reyes, C. H. Green and J. G. Arnold. 2007. The Soil and Water Assessment
Tool: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Research Directions. Transactions
of the ASABE. 50(4): 1211-1250.
Gassman, P.W., A.M. Sadeghi and R. Srinivasan. 2014. Applications of the SWAT model special
section: overview and insights. Journal of Environmental Quality. 43(1):1-8.
Pfannerstill, M., K. Bieger, B. Guse, D. D. Bosch, N. Fohrer and J. G. Arnold. 2017. How to
Constrain Multi-Objective Calibrations of the SWAT Model Using Water Balance
Components. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA). 53(3):532-
546.

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SWMM
The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is a watershed model developed primarily
for application to urban and suburban watersheds. It is a dynamic hydrologic and
hydraulic model capable of simulating surface and subsurface hydrology and water quality.
SWMM flow simulations include the options of nonlinear channel reservoir channel routing
and fully dynamic flow routing, with the latter allowing for backwater, surcharging,
pressurized flow, reverse flow, looped connections, and surface ponding. Dry weather
sanitary inflows and other external inflows can be represented. Water quality and
sediment loading simulation can be configured as buildup and wash-off or event mean
concentration (EMC). User specified decay or settling can be configured in storage units
to model the treatment of pollutants. SWMM is also capable of simulating a variety of
Low Impact Development (LID) practices and water conveyance devices (e.g., pipes,
open channels, flow dividers, orifices, pumps, weirs, etc.). As such it has been widely
applied for the assessment of urban stormwater systems, including combined storm-
sewers.

BACKGROUND
SWMM was first released in 1971 with funding from the Water Quality Office of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with development led by Metcalf & Eddy, Inc.,
the University of Florida, and Water Resources Engineers, Inc. The model has undergone
four major upgrades since then with funding and oversight provided by the EPA Office of
Research and Development. The current edition of SWMM (Version 5/5.1.015), was
produced by the EPA Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response. This
model version was ported from the previous FORTRAN (SWMM 4) releases to the
programming language C (SWMM 5).

New EPA versions of SWMM will be developed in collaboration with an open source
community.

MODEL STATUS
The current version of EPA SWMM (5.1.015) was released in 2020.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The SWMM Model Version 5.1.015 executable and source code is available at
https://www.epa.gov/water-research/storm-water-management-model-swmm.

The executable and source code for other 5.1.X versions, as well as Versions 4.4, 4.31,
and 4.3 are available from https://www.pcswmm.com/Downloads/USEPASWMM.

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Source Code
The SWMM 5 algorithms are coded in C. The SWMM 4 algorithms are coded in FORTRAN.

Various iterations of SWMM Version 4.X are still available for download from
https://www.pcswmm.com/Downloads/USEPASWMM. Those include SWMM 4.4 (2005),
SWMM 4.31 (1997), and SWMM 4.3 (1994). Various SWMM Versions 5.1.X, all of which
were released between 2014 and 2020, are available for download at this same location.

All versions of EPA SWMM are non-proprietary. The source code is available at the same
website as the download package.

The source code of EPA SWMM (historical and latest versions) as well as the source code
of community based SWMM (Open SWMM) can be downloaded from Open SWMM
community: https://www.openswmm.org/Code/Home .

An open source version of the SWMM software is maintained here:

https://github.com/USEPA/Stormwater-Management-Model

In addition to non-proprietary versions of SWMM, there are numerous examples of

developers layering custom “wrappers” onto the SWMM algorithms to streamline the
model setup for users, as well as provide enhanced functionality and management and
visualization tools. Three of the most used of these versions include PCSWMM developed
by Computational Hydraulics International (CHI), which directly uses the EPA SWMM 5
engine; XPSWMM developed by XP solutions (now Innovyze), which uses the EPA SWMM
4 algorithm; and INFOSWMM developed by Innovyze. Both PCSWMM and XPSWMM
added 1D-2D flooding components. Information for these model versions can be accessed
from their respective websites at:

https://www.pcswmm.com/

https://www.innovyze.com/en-us/products/xpswmm

https://www.innovyze.com/en-us/products/infoswmm

There are two GitHub sites for development of SWMM:

Public Domain: https://github.com/USEPA/Stormwater-Management-Model which is

maintained by U.S. EPA.

https://github.com/OpenWaterAnalytics/Stormwater-Management-Model which was

forked from U.S. EPA’s site and is maintained by Open Water Analytics and is for
community development.

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User Community Portals

There is an Open SWMM user community (https://www.openswmm.org/) for SWMM
users. Users can subscribe and post questions and join discussions via the user listserv:
https://www.openswmm.org/Forum/About#swmm-userslistserver

There is also a listserv created by the University of Guelph that allows users to exchange
information and questions. It can be joined by sending an email to
listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca. Do not put anything in the subject line and, in the body of
the message, insert the following line (do not include the square brackets).

SUBSCRIBE SWMM-USERS [your first name] [your last name]

Ensure there is no other text included in the body of the message

For example, SUBSCRIBE SWMM-USERS JANE DOE

Point of Contact
The EPA point of contact for SWMM is:

Michelle Simon
513-720-2970
simon.michelle@epa.gov

U.S. EPA Research

Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response
Mail Code: 689
26 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Cincinnati, OH 45268

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
Model theory documentation, the user’s manual, and other publications are available for
download from https://www.epa.gov/water-research/storm-water-management-model-
swmm.

Rossman, L. A., and W. C. Huber. 2016. Storm Water Management Model Reference Manual
Volume I – Hydrology (Revised). EPA/600/R-15/162A. National Risk Management
Laboratory of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Cincinnati, OH.

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Rossman, L. A. 2017. Storm Water Management Model Reference Manual Volume II – Hydraulics.
EPA/600/R-17/111. National Risk Management Laboratory of Research and Development,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.
Rossman, L. A., and W. C. Huber. 2016. Storm Water Management Model Reference Manual
Volume III – Water Quality. EPA/600/R-16/093. National Risk Management Laboratory of
Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.
Rossman, L. A. 2015. Storm Water Management Model User’s Manual Version 5.1. EPA/600/R-
14/413b. National Risk Management Laboratory of Research and Development, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.

Training Materials
EPA’s “An Introduction to SWMM” (https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/surface-water-quality-
modeling-training)

SWMM training is provided by the Urban Watersheds Research Institute

(https://www.uwtrshd.com/classes-schedule) and Computational Hydraulics International (CHI)
(https://www.chiwater.com/Training/). CHI’s workshops are available live and online.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) offers a “Learn to SWMM” workshop
(https://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Education_and_Careers/Continuing_Education/Product_Pa
ges/Content_Pieces/Learn%20to%20SWMM.pdf).

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Example SWMM applications are included in the Storm Water Management Model
Applications Manual (Gironas et al. 2009) available for download from
https://www.epa.gov/water-research/storm-water-management-model-swmm.

Publications of example SWMM model applications include:

Agarwal, S. and S. Kumar. 2019. Applicability of SWMM for semi Urban Catchment Flood modeling
using extreme Rainfall Events. International Journal of Recent Technology and
Engineering. 8(2)245-251.
Behrouz, M.S., Z. Zhu, L.S. Matott and A.J. Rabideau. 2020. A new tool for automatic calibration
of the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Journal of Hydrology. 581 (2020):
124436.
City of North Miami. 2012. Stormwater Master Plan Update, Final Report. Prepared by CDM Smith
for the City of North Miami, Miami, FL.
Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. 2010. Pohick Creek
Watershed Management Plan. Fairfax County Department of Public Works and
Environmental Services - Stormwater Planning Division, Fairfax, VA.

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Lee, J., C. Nietch, and S. Panguluri. 2018. Drainage area characterization for evaluating green
infrastructure using the storm water management model. Hydrology and Earth System
Sciences. 22:2615-2635, (2018).
Peng, Z. and V. Stovin. 2017. Independent validation of the SWMM green roof module. Journal
of Hydrologic Engineering. 22(9): 04017037.
Philadelphia Water Department. 2013. Tributary Water Quality Model for Bacteria, Consent Order
& Agreement Deliverable VI, City of Philadelphia Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term
Control Plan Update. Submitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection by the Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia, PA.
Platz, M., M.A. Simon, and M. J. Tryby. 2020. Testing of storm water management model low
impact development modules. Journal of the American Water Resources Association.
56(2):283-296.

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SWTOOLBOX
The Surface Water Toolbox (SWToolbox) combines Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA’s) DFLOW program and USGS’ Surface-water statistics (SWSTAT) tool into a single
tool designed to facilitate easy import of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS’s) National
Water Information System (NWIS) streamflow data and user-defined text files.
SWToolbox contains a set of procedures for statistical analysis of time-series data to
support water-quantity and water-quality modeling. It is primarily geared toward
conducting n-day frequency computations (e.g., 7Q-10 flows) and computing biologically
based design flows. SWToolbox can perform flow-duration analyses; compute an n-day
high or low annual time series; perform frequency analyses using the log-Pearson Type
III distribution; perform Kendall Tau analyses for trend; and compute duration
hydrograph tables and curves.

BACKGROUND
The SWToolbox was developed in partnership with USGS and EPA with technical support
provided by RESPEC.

MODEL STATUS
SWToolbox was publicly released in early 2018 and the most recent version, USGS-SW-
Toolbox 1.0.4, was released in March 2019.

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The tool can be downloaded from https://water.usgs.gov/osw/swtoolbox/.

The software is a windows desktop application that is built on the EPA BASINS system.
The tool is built on the opensource MapWindow GIS software. The tool is compatible with
the latest version of R, version 3.6, although it can be run with older versions of R. R
must be downloaded and installed separately.

Source Code
Status Unknown

USER COMMUNITY PORTALS

The is no user community portal.

Point of Contact
Users can ask for help by contacting the Help Desk at SWToolboxTesting@usgs.gov.

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DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
The user’s manual (Kiang et al. 2018) is available at
https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/04/a11/tm4a11.pdf.

Training Materials
There is a training video available as part of EPA’s Watershed Academy archives:
https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/using-surface-water-toolbox-estimating-
critical-flow-statistics

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

None

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VISUAL PLUMES
Visual Plumes is a Windows-based computer application that estimates dilution of outfall
discharges. Visual Plumes superseded the DOS PLUMES (Baumgartner et al. 1994) mixing
zone modeling system. Visual Plumes is used for simulating plumes in all waterbody types.
It assists in the preparation of mixing zone analyses for National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Visual Plumes simulates single and merging
submerged plumes in arbitrarily stratified ambient flow and buoyant surface discharges.
A limitation with this model is that it does not simulate interaction of the plume with
boundaries (e.g., shorelines).

Visual Plumes incorporates a suite of models including: DKHW model that is based on
UDKHDEN (Muellenhoff et al. 1985), the surface discharge model PDS (Davis 1999), the
three-dimensional UM3 model based on UM, and the NRFIELD model based on RSB.
These models can be run consecutively and compared graphically to help assess
performance and uncertainty.

BACKGROUND
Visual Plumes was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Center
for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM). EPA discontinued support for the model, but
the Agency plans to redevelop selected sub-models as part of its current research plan.

MODEL STATUS
This model is not currently supported, though legacy information about the model is
posted on EPA’s CEAM website (https://www.epa.gov/ceam/visual-plumes) and
California Water Boards website
(https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/).

ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
The EPA legacy Visual Plumes model can be downloaded and installed from the U.S.
EPA CEAM web site (https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/visual-
plumes).

A version is also posted to the California Water Boards website

(https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/).

Source Code
The model code language is Visual Basic. Visual Plumes runs on Windows 95/98/NT/2000/
and XP. There is no Windows 7 or later compatible version and no plans to upgrade to

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64-bit. Some modelers have had success installing Virtual Box running Windows XP and
then installing Visual Plumes on the Virtual Box.

The FORTRAN source code for the various models in the Visual Plumes modeling system
is not publicly available.

User Community Portals

There is no user community portal.

Point of Contact
The developer of Visual Plumes, Walter Frick, retired from EPA with no support successor.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
The Visual Plumes model theory is presented in section 7 of the Visual Plumes Guidance Manual
(Frick et al. 2003). https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/VP-Manual.pdf
A 2005 draft model update document described key updates that were made to the
modeling system (https://clu-in.org/conf/tio/r10mixingzone_012213/2005-MZcourse-
draft.pdf).

The user manual can be downloaded at https://www.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-

models/dilution-models-effluent-discharges-visual-plumes-4th-edition. The manual is
titled Dilution Models for Effluent Discharges 4th Edition (Visual Plumes) (Frick et al. 2003).

Training Materials
There are no training materials currently available for download for this model.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Baumgartner, D., W. Frick, P. Roberts. 1994. Dilution Models for Effluent Discharges (3rd Ed).
EPA/600/R-94/086, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Ecosystems Branch.
Newport, OR.
Davis, L.R. 1999. Fundamentals of Environmental Discharge Modeling. CRC Press. Boca Raton,
FL.
Frick, W.E. 2004. Visual Plumes Mixing Zone Modeling Software. Environmental Modelling &
Software. 19(2004):645–654.
Frick, W., A. Ahmed, K. George, A. Laputz, G. Pelletier and P. Roberts. 2010. On Visual Plumes
and associated applications.

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Muellenhoff, W.P., A.M. Soldate, Jr., D.J. Baumgartner, M.D. Schuldt, L.R. Davis and W.E. Frick.
1985. Initial mixing characteristics of municipal ocean outfall discharges: Volume 1.
Procedures and Applications. EPA/600/3-85/073a. Environmental research Laboratory,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Narragansett, RI.
Palomar, P., J.L. Lara and I.J. Losada. 2012. Near field brine discharge modeling part 2: Validation
of commercial tools. Desalination. 290:28–42.
Palomar, P., J.L. Lara, I.J. Losada, M. Rodrigo and A. Alvarez. 2012. Near field brine discharge
modelling part 1: Analysis of commercial tools. Desalination. 290:14–27.

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WASP
The Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP8) is a dynamic
compartment (or segment)-modeling program for aquatic systems, including both
the water column and the underlying benthos. WASP allows the user to investigate
1, 2 and 3 dimensional systems and a variety of pollutant types—including both
conventional pollutants (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, silica, dissolved oxygen,
biological oxygen demand, sediment oxygen demand, algae and periphyton,
macro algae, pH/alkalinity, water temperature etc.) and toxic materials (organic
chemicals, metals, mercury, and nano materials). WASP has built-in hydraulic and
hydrodynamic transport algorithms (stream routing, kinematic wave, dynamic
wave and 1-dimensional vertical transport in lake systems) which is used in most
WASP applications. WASP has capabilities of linking with hydrodynamic and
watershed models, which allows for multi-year analyses under varying
meteorological and environmental conditions. WASP also has the capability of
getting transport information from hydrodynamic models such as: Environmental
Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), Princeton Ocean Model (POM), HEC-RAS (1 & 2
Dimensions). WASP also can simulate sediment transport either user described or
using mechanistic based algorithms.

BACKGROUND
The WASP model was first developed in 1981 by Dominic Di Toro, James Fitzpatrick,
and Robert Thomann of Hydroscience, Inc.

Maintenance of the WASP model is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency’s (EPA’s) Region 4, Water Division in Atlanta, GA. Tim Wool at EPA Region
4 maintains the latest version of WASP (wool.tim@epa.gov).

MODEL STATUS
The current model version is WASP 8.4, which is non-proprietary and was released
in November 2020.

Previous versions of WASP include WASP 7.52, 6, 5.1, 5, 4 and 3. WASP6 was the
first version with a Windows interface; however, the source code is no longer
available.

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ACCESSIBILITY

Model Executable
WASP 8.4 can be downloaded from https://www.epa.gov/ceam/wasp8-download.
There is a 64-Bit Windows Installer, 64-Bit Mac OS X (Yosemite or Higher) and 64-
Bit Linux (Built on Ubuntu) installer.

Source Code
The model code language is FORTRAN and the model interface is in C++.

The source code for WASP 8.32 is available from Tim Wool of EPA Region 4 upon
request.

User Community Portals

There is a Google Email Group to support the WASP user community. The group
can be found at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/epawasp.

POINT OF CONTACT
Tim Wool
U.S. EPA Region 4
Atlanta, GA
Email: Wool.tim@epa.gov

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS

User Manual
The WASP user’s manual is available by download with the WASP model at
https://www.epa.gov/ceam/water-quality-analysis-simulation-program-wasp. The
most recent user’s manual is:

Wool, T.A., R. B. Ambrose, J. L. Martin and E. A. Comer. 2006. Water quality analysis
simulation program (WASP). User’s Manual, Version 6.
In addition to the main user’s manual, there are also eight model theory and
user’s guide documents that are intended as supplements to the WASP manual.

The eight supplemental documents can be downloaded at

https://www.epa.gov/ceam/wasp-model-documentation and are listed below.

Ambrose, R.B. and T. Wool. 2017. WASP8 Stream Transport - Model Theory and User's
Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development.
Washington, DC.
Ambrose, R.B. and T.A. Wool. 2017. The Solids Module – Draft.

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Ambrose, R.B. 2017. The Light Module – Draft.

Martin, J.L., R.B. Ambrose and T.A. Wool. 2017. WASP8 Macro Algae - Model Theory and
User's Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and
Development Washington, DC.
Martin, J.L. and T.A. Wool. 2017. WASP Sediment Diagenesis Routines: Model Theory and
User's Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and
Development Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 2006. pH and Alkalinity. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Research and Development Washington, DC. Chapter 11 of the Volunteer
Estuary Monitoring Manual, A Methods Manual, Second Edition, EPA-842-B-06-
003. The full document be downloaded from:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/monitor/
Wool, T.A., R.B. Ambrose, J.L. Martin. 2008. WASP8 Temperature Model Theory and
User’s Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and
Development Washington, DC.
Wool, T.A., R.B. Ambrose, J.L. Martin. 2017. WASP8 Multiple Algae - Model Theory and
User's Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and
Development Washington, DC.

Training Materials
Information on WASP workshops and registration for workshops can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/ceam/water-quality-analysis-simulation-program-
wasp#workshop.

Multiple video tutorials can be found at https://www.epa.gov/ceam/wasp-model-

tutorials. The tutorials are meant to help the user understand and apply the model
and its associated tools.

A two-hour “Introduction to WASP” webinar was sponsored by EPA’s water

quality modeling workgroup on July 12, 2017 and can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/tmdl-modeling.

EXAMPLE REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF MODEL APPLICATIONS

Avant, B., D. Bouchard, H. Hsieh, Y. Han, J. Spear, R. Zepp, C. Knightes, X. Chang and B.
Acrey. 2019. Environmental fate of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphene
oxide across different aquatic ecosystems. NanoImpact. 13:1-12.

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Bouchard, D. C. Knightes, X. Chang and B. Avant. 2017. Simulating Multiwalled Carbon

Nanotube Transport in Surface Water Systems Using the Water Quality Analysis
Simulation Program (WASP). Environmental Science and Technology. 51(19):11174-
11184.

Camacho, R. A., J. L. Martin, B. Watson, M. J. Paul, L. Zheng and J. B. Stribling. 2014.

Modeling the factors controlling phytoplankton in the St. Louis Bay Estuary,
Mississippi and evaluating estuarine responses to nutrient load
modifications. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 141(3).
Han, Y., C. Knightes, D. Bouchard, R. Zepp, B. Avant, H. Hsieh, X. Chang, B. Acrey, M.
Henderson and J. Spear. 2019. Simulating graphene oxide nanomaterial
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Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status January 20, 2022

Summary
The table below summarizes key support status characteristics of each model
surveyed. While there are proprietary versions of several of the models reviewed,
the only fully proprietary model in the list is CORMIX. Source codes are made
available for most models with the exceptions being BATHTUB, CORMIX, and
VISUAL PLUMES. Levels of current funding and support activities vary. BATHTUB
currently is only available by request and there is no support or maintenance. EFDC
can be downloaded from the listed website; however, there is no current support
or update/maintenance program supported at the federal level.

Summary of Model Status and Support Characteristics

Model Language Open Code Supported Recent Version
Source Availability and Date
AGNPS ANSI Yes Included in Yes Version 5.51,
FORTRAN 95 download December 2019
Aquatox Delphi Yes Included in Yes Version 3.2, 2018
download
BASINS MapWindow Yes NA Yes Version 4.5, 2019
BATHTUB Visual Basic, No Not available No Version 6.2, 2014
Excel
Interface
CE-QUAL- FORTRAN Yes Included in Yes Version 1.1, November
ICM download 17, 2015
CE-QUAL-W2 FORTRAN Yes Included in Yes Version 4.2, November
download 15, 2019
CORMIXa NEXPERT, No Not available Yes Version 11.0, 2018
C++ &
FORTRAN
EFDC FORTRAN Yesb Available on Noc Version SNL EFDC 1
request 0.0, 2015
HAWQS Web based Yes Included in Yes Version 1.2, October
SWAT download 2020
application
HSPF FORTRAN Yes Available Yes 12.5, 2018
from GITHUB
Repository
LSPC C++ Yes Available on Yes Version 5.0, 2020
Request
QUAL2KW FORTRAN 95; VBA-Yes VBA Yes Version 5.1, July 2008d
Excel VBA Fortran- Included in Version 6.0, 2015e
interface Yes download
FORTRAN
Available on
request

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Surface Water Model Maintenance and Support Status January 20, 2022

Model Language Open Code Supported Recent Version

Source Availability and Date
SPARROW SAS Macro Yes Included in Yes Version 2.10, March
Language download 2019,
RSPARROW 2019
SWAT FORTRAN Yes Included in Yes SWAT2012 rev. 681,
download June 2020
SWAT+, December
2019
SWMM C+ Yes Included in Yes Version 5.1.014, 2020
download
SWTOOLBOX MapWindow Yes NA Yes USGS-SW-Toolbox
GIS extension 1.0.4, March 2019
VISUAL FORTRAN, VB No Not available Yesc Version 1.0 2001
PLUMES Interface
WASP FORTRAN, Yes On request Yes WASP 8.4 November
C++ Interface 2020
a. Proprietary
b. EPA-EFDC is open source, proprietary versions source code is not necessarily available
c. Not currently supported for general use and maintenance by a public agency, though it is
available for download.
d. for simulating steady flow
e. for non-steady, non-uniform flow using kinematic wave flow routing

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 PRESORTED
STANDARD POSTAGE
& FEES PAID EPA
PERMIT NO. G-35

Office of Research and

Development (8101R)
Washington, DC 20460

Offal Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300