In an ideal world that hopefully be here sooner than we imagine, every watershed would have a set of computer models that would help stakeholders evaluate and choose among scenarios and predict outcomes of different implementation actions. In this ideal world, the computer models would be in the public domain so that improvements to the model algorythms and interfaces would help other watershed computer models as well. These tools are expensive and will be needed for decades to come, yet if they are proprietary, they are expensive if not sometimes impossbile to sustain for long periods of time.
Here are some examples of computer models being used for different watershed analytical needs. Send us additional information, especially links to computer models that are in the public domain. Thank you.
Geomorphic Modeling (flood plains, bank erosion, flooding)
The controls on and evolution of channel morphology of the Sacramento River: A case study of River Miles 201-185. Prepared for The Nature Conservancy Sacramento River Project, Geology Department University of California Davis – Eric Larsen, Emily Anderson, Ellen Avery, Krishna Dole
Habitat (some overlap with hydraulic, watershed and other models)
Hydraulic Analysis of River Habitat Conservation on the Sacramento River from Princeton to Beehive Bend. Prepared for The Nature Conservancy Sacramento River Project, Ayres and Associates, April 3, 2001.
Hydraulic Modeling (ground and surface water, reservoir operations)
Two-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling of the Upper Sacramento River
Prepared for The Nature Conservancy Sacramento River Project, Ayres Associates, RM 194.0 to RM 202.0 Including Riparian Restoration, Setback Levee and East Levee Removal, May 31, 2002
Hydraulic Modeling and Geomorphic Analysis of Sacramento River,
Prepared for The Nature Conservancy Sacramento River Project, Ayres Associates, RM 184-194, Glenn and Butte Counties, California April 26, 2002
Pollutants (Dissolved oxygen, pesticides, salt, and more)
San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen Computer Model
Carl W. Chen, Wangteng Tsai, Systech Engineering, Inc., January 2002
http://www.sjrtmdl.org/technical/modeling/do_model/index.html
For more information on San Joaquin River D.O. models see http://www.sjrtmdl.org/technical/modeling/index.html
Watershed (runoff, groundwater recharge, land and water use)
WARMF (Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework) is a decision support system for watershed management. It includes a tool for TMDL calculation and a roadmap for consensus building. For an interactive demonstration, click on the link above.
http://www.systechengineering.com/warmf.htm
BASINS (USEPA) http://www.epa.gov/OST/BASINS/
This public domain watershed computer model keeps improving. This website provides the documentation and most current release of the model.