USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, 

How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

A Report from the USGS River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5018
Cover: Photo of Colorado River from Nankoweap Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park; by Leanne Hanson.
USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where 

Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where 

Are We Going?

A Report from the USGS River Ecosystem Modeling 

Work Group 

By Leanne Hanson, Robin Schrock, Terry Waddle, Jeff Duda, and Bill Lellis 

Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5018

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2009

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Suggested citation:

Hanson, L., Schrock, R., Waddle, T.J., Duda, J.J., and Lellis, W.A., 2009, USGS river ecosystem modeling—Where are 

we, how did we get here, and where are we going? A report from the USGS River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5018, 81 p.
iii

Contents

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................1

River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Recommendations .................................................................1

River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Summary .................................................................................2

Modeling Needs....................................................................................................................................3

Model Selection Criteria......................................................................................................................3

Prototype Study Area Selection Criteria...........................................................................................3

Qualifying Factors.................................................................................................................................4

References Cited............................................................................................................................................4

Appendix 1. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Agenda...............................................................5

Appendix 2. River Ecosystem Modeling Break Out Group Instructions ...............................................6

Appendix 3. River Ecosystem Modeling Break Out Group Notes..........................................................7

Appendix 4. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Participants and Contributors ........................9

Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets .......................................................................................................13
iv
Executive Summary 

As the Nation’s unbiased science bureau within the 

Department of the Interior, the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) is well-situated to provide science in support of current and future river resource management decisions. The 

information gained through USGS research and monitoring 

efforts affects management actions and decisions which, in 

turn, benefit society. As anthropogenic actions and variations 

in natural systems continue, it is more important than ever to 

understand the effects of change on natural systems. Through 

the ongoing commitment of agency resources to riverine science, the USGS will continue to build upon nearly a century 

of natural systems research, monitoring, and modeling.

The USGS can become more efficient through better use 

of current human and technologic resources, but still remain 

a leader in riverine modeling through increased communication opportunities and a national infrastructure for modeling 

resources. Scientists with the USGS have proven competence 

in developing and applying individual models, and many 

have contacts with modelers outside of the USGS, but it is 

time for a systematic means of capitalizing on those contacts 

across the Bureau. The Work Group identified the need for a 

centralized, online menu of available modelers and models—

including a description of model capabilities, a list of model 

limitations, and references for model application examples. 

Included in appendix 5 is the start of this USGS modeling 

menu. The summary sheets of the 60 models currently being 

used for river ecosystem modeling within the USGS should be 

expanded, continually updated, and made accessible online to 

foster scientific collaboration.

Managers, scientists, and policy makers need predictive 

models that can describe changes in temporal and spatial attributes of rivers under human influence while acknowledging 

the uncertainty of natural dynamic change. Incorporating 

current knowledge of global climate change and increasing 

natural and induced hazards into new, integrated models will 

provide valuable risk assessment and decision support tools 

for adaptive management of natural and managed riverine 

ecosystems. This Work Group report includes suggestions and 

criteria for implementing a strategy for integrated modeling 

within the USGS.

River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group 

Recommendations 

Work Group recommendations include enhancing communications, achieving increased efficiency through better 

use of current human and technologic resources, and providing a national infrastructure for our modeling resources, 

which would make it easier to integrate modeling efforts and 

continue to build upon nearly a century of natural systems 

research, monitoring, and modeling for which the USGS is 

known.

These recommendations require organization and coordination across USGS disciplines and regions. Enhanced 

communications can be achieved through USGS funding of, 

maintaining, and providing access to online resources such as 

the model summary sheets included in appendix 5, electronic 

chat, and bulletin boards focused on river ecosystem modeling, as well as through USGS-sponsored national meetings 

and conferences focused on river ecosystem modeling. These 

efforts, developed across disciplines and regions, will allow 

for easier communication within the USGS modeling community and ultimately will result in enhanced multidisciplinary, 

integrated model development.

USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where 

Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where 

Are We Going?

A Report from the USGS River Ecosystem Modeling 

Work Group 

By Leanne Hanson, Robin Schrock, Terry Waddle, Jeff Duda, and Bill Lellis 
2 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group 

Summary 

This document was developed as an outcome of the 

USGS River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group. This Work 

Group was held on Monday, February 11, 2008, as a preconference session to the second USGS Modeling Conference in 

Orange Beach, Ala. The Work Group agenda (appendix 1) was 

organized so that participants would first gain a better understanding of the types of models currently being applied to 

riverine studies within the USGS, then learn about how model 

outputs are being used by a land management agency, and 

then use this information during the break-out group session to 

develop recommendations for advancing the state of the art in 

river ecosystem modeling within the USGS.

One tool developed and distributed to participants before 

the February 11 session, to help assess the types of models currently being used in river ecosystem modeling in the 

USGS, was simply a summary list of models. Modelers across 

the USGS were contacted (appendix 4) and asked to submit a 

summary sheet for each of the models they currently use or are 

developing for use in river ecosystem modeling. This survey 

resulted in the list of 60 models included in appendix 5; the 

summaries include statistical models, surface- and groundwater models, visualization programs, watershed models, 

1-dimension transport models, and 1-dimension, 2-dimension 

and 3-dimension hydraulic models. While this list is a start, 

Work Group participants supported the idea that this list be 

expanded, continually updated, and made available online to 

foster collaboration among modelers.

A major portion of time during the River Ecosystem 

Modeling Work Group was devoted to break-out group discussions and development of recommendations for consideration 

by USGS management. Each break-out group was given 

the goal of developing a prioritized list of what direction the 

USGS should take in river ecosystem modeling (appendix 2). 

In order to help the groups develop and prioritize suggestions, 

they were given the following discussion points and criteria 

for establishing priorities for their suggestions.

Discussion Points:

• Identify current and future modeling needs.

• Describe how current models or current model developments fill those needs.

• Identify gaps between current models and those needs.

• Establish priorities for work on the areas of greatest 

need.

Priority Setting Criteria:

1. Magnitude of the issue that the model will address—

the scope (geographic and societal benefits) of issues 

addressed by this model. (For example, this model 

category will deal with global climate issues across the 

world’s rivers.)

2. Extent of gap between the current state of the art and the 

need—how far is our computing power behind our data 

generating capacity? (For example, we have a hydrodynamic model of a 10-mile river reach at a 1 cm resolution, 

but we do not have the computing power to process the 

data. Or, we are currently unable to predict aquatic species populations in streams under stable conditions, nor 

in a changing stream state, therefore we would be filling a 

large, important gap in modeling.)

3. Current urgency of the need—managers need tools to 

answer immediate needs. 

The discussion points lead the break out groups to restate 

many of the recommendations that came out of the first USGS 

Modeling Conference and previous USGS needs assessment 

activities. Specifically discussed were River Ecosystem Modeling topics outlined in:

1. River Science at the U.S. Geological Survey (National 

Research Council, 2007), 

2. Science for Maintaining Riverine Ecosystems: Actions for 

the USGS Identified in the Workshop “Analysis of Flow 

and Habitat for Aquatic Communities” (Bencala and others, 2006),

3. Linking Hydrological Change and Ecological Response 

in Streams and Rivers of the Eastern United States (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2005b), and

4. Three discussion papers included in the first All-USGS 

Modeling Conference Summary Report (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2005a):

a. Technical Needs: Linking Models into a Multimodel Framework,

b. Integrating the Interagency and Interdisciplinary 

Community, and

c. The Data-Model Connection: Model Testing, 

Sensitivity Analysis, Calibration, and Uncertainty 

Evaluation.

Work Group participants reaffirmed and supported the 

recommendations from the first USGS modeling conference:

• Increase communication among the USGS modeling 

community,

• Establish modeling Center of Excellence,

• Participate in Interagency Modeling Collaborations,

• Plan subsequent workshops to refine and implement 

USGS Modeling Strategy, and
River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Summary 3

• Provide infrastructure to support USGS Modeling 

Strategy.

Discussion of the first modeling conference recommendations revealed that (1) the distributed nature of river modeling 

efforts within the USGS speaks to the need for better coordination, (2) USGS scientists are competent in developing and 

applying individual models, and (3) individuals have contacts 

with modelers outside the USGS but there is no systematic 

means of capitalizing on those contacts across the Bureau. 

In this report, we develop suggestions for implementing a 

strategy for integrated river ecosystem modeling within the 

USGS by focusing on a resource management problem, with 

the intent to bring together the interdisciplinary resource 

knowledge and modeling talent needed to accomplish such 

integration.

Modeling Needs

In evaluating how models can help address resource 

problems, we identified a body of modeling needs and gaps 

(appendix 3). Among them are the needs to:

1. Tie global climate models and expectation of change to 

other models, that is, step global change predictions down 

to regional and river basin levels, 

2. Identify historical biological response to changes in rivers 

by using models to backcast legacy effects of chronic and 

acute bottleneck disturbances, 

3. Use such information about changes over recent decades 

to predict what river ecosystems will look like in the 

future, 

4. Extend and integrate process models to address these 

kinds of synergistic questions, 

5. Develop models that can accommodate several scales 

or ‘autoscale’ to the scope of the problem being 

addressed, and

6. Establish better tools for communicating models and their 

results to the modeling community, natural resource managers, and decision and policy makers.

We decided to move forward from this point to suggest a 

strategy for demonstrating and advancing the Bureau’s modeling capabilities. We believe we can work together toward 

an integrated river ecosystem model capability, but until we 

face a common problem we will not effectively integrate our 

models and make progress. The process of addressing river 

ecosystems, by its nature, requires model development and 

integration to be conducted by interdisciplinary teams. We 

identified a two-tiered strategy to assist with selecting models 

and problems for which to apply the models.

Model Selection Criteria

The first tier was to establish criteria for selecting models 

for further integrated model development. These criteria 

included:

1. Model(s) addresses real world problems. Model is applicable to relevant natural resource policy or societal needs.

2. Model(s) has been validated, or its use is widely

accepted.

3. Model(s) is being integrated or is ripe for integration.

4. Model(s) has an associated and quantifiable level of

confidence associated with it, or tests of confidence have 

 been described and can be included in pilot project.

5. Model(s) fits needs of the USGS in its role as lead 

 science agency.

6. Model(s) addresses important knowledge/science gap.

The second tier involves developing a prototype integrated modeling project. Potential projects would be evaluated 

using the above criteria, leading to a demonstration project in 

a real location, selected based upon criteria listed below. Experience of modelers present suggested that the ideal way for 

model development (or integration) to proceed is to work on 

an actual problem, rather than work on a ‘conceptual framework’ for integration. A live project will generate more interest 

than a concept and, by illuminating specific challenges, spur 

more model development. The product of such an effort will 

be a set of integrated physical and biological models and the 

interfacing mechanism linking them. The linking interface will 

allow for future expansion.

Prototype Study Area Selection Criteria

Thus there is a need to find a ripe problem to be a focal 

mechanism to get interdisciplinary work started in the USGS. 

Criteria for choosing a location for a future Bureau-level, multidisciplinary modeling demonstration project include:

1. Area has existing data (for example, data rich, watershedwide information, both physical and biological parameters 

covered).

2. Area has identified knowledge gaps best answered by a 

modeling solution.
4 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

3. Area has a modeling question that requires model 

integration. Difficulty of integration will challenge and 

strengthen model development.

4. Area has a focal problem that has regional or national 

significance, so that results of integrated modeling effort 

could be utilized elsewhere.

5. Problem(s) addressed in the area requires predictive or 

forecasting capabilities.

6. Area has issues that are relevant to the public and policy 

makers. There is a mild level of urgency driving willingness to attack the problem, but the issues are not so 

politically polarized as to prohibit application of modeling 

outcome.

7. Area or problem was identified in the previous Water 

Availability Initiative.

8. Area has interested Federal partners.

9. Area has the ability to establish quasi-experimental conditions (for example, a way to control forcing functions).

The selection of an area for a demonstration project will 

be based upon a ranking using the above criteria. No area 

of the country is expected to satisfy all of these criteria, so a 

candidate area would not be excluded because of a lack of one 

or more criteria. The criteria should also be weighted, with 

emphasis on strong opportunity to either serve an important 

decision or to advance model integration. For example, items 

3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 could be weighted more heavily than the other 

items to reflect this emphasis.

Qualifying Factors

Other factors to consider when evaluating the selection of 

demonstration projects include determining:

• the data needs of the models, especially in terms of 

resolution and frequency,

• additional data requirements that would arise with the 

project,

• the source of funding for the data collection/synthesis/

modeling effort, and

• the time frame the product would need to meet in order 

to be approved.

Several potential river basins were discussed as candidates, but the group expressed concern that creating a short 

list of potential basins matching these criteria at this time may 

act to focus on the location rather than further the cause of 

integrated model development.

Support for models comes from their perceived utility, 

often based on a combination of the relevance of the model to 

the decisions being faced and the relative user friendliness of 

the models. Model developers need to consider the users both 

through visual display of model inputs and results and through 

interpretive modules such as decision support systems (which 

may be models in themselves) that deliver model results in the 

language and context of the decisions being faced.

The group discussed potential means to implement this 

recommendation. Possible mechanisms included integrating 

it into the Climate Change Initiative, arguing that modeling 

expertise is amply available within the USGS but there is a 

need for focus and management support, and presenting this 

paper to the Regional Executives as an opportunity to address 

one or more pressing problems in their respective regions. The 

group identified the need for a centralized menu of available 

models including a description of what the model does, a list 

of model limitations, and references to model application 

examples. 

These considerations led to our recommendation: Select a 

river system with an important ecosystem/management problem and enable a multidisciplinary team to integrate models to 

address the problem. Implementing this recommendation will 

have the effect of furthering several goals defined in the first 

USGS modeling conference through a concrete model application process that will encourage increased communication 

among the USGS modeling community, involve interagency 

collaboration, and expand our capabilities.

References Cited

Bencala, K.E., Hamilton, D.B., and Petersen, J.H., 2006, Science for managing riverine ecosystems—Actions for the 

USGS identified in the workshop “Analysis of flow and 

habitat for instream aquatic communities”: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 2006–1256, http://pubs.usgs.gov/

of/2006/1256/.

National Resource Council, 2007, River science at the U.S. 

Geological Survey: Washington, D.C., National Academies 

Press for the National Research Council Water Science and 

Technology Board, Committee on River Science at the U.S. 

Geological Survey, 206 p., http://www.nap.edu/catalog.

php?record_id=11773#orgs.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2005a, All-USGS Modeling Conference, 1, Port Angeles, Wash., 14–17 November 2005: U.S. 

Geological Survey Internal Management Report, 47 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2005b, Linking hydrological change 

and ecological response in streams and rivers of the eastern 

United States, Herndon, Va., 8–10 February 2005, Proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey Northern Appalachian 

Research Laboratory, http://www.lsc.usgs.gov/NARB/workshops/2005/index.html.
Appendix 1. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Agenda 5

Appendix 1. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Agenda

USGS River Ecosystem Modeling:

Where are we, how did we get here, and where are we going?

February 11, 2008

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Agenda

8:30 am Introduction and Goals for Day – Leanne Hanson

8:45 am Summary Presentations (15 minute overview/highlights)

Policy Impacts – Nina Burkardt

Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport – Jonathan Nelson/ Rich McDonald

Ecosystem Models – Mary Freeman

Water Quality Models – Jerad Bales

Instream Flow and Decision Support Systems – Terry Waddle 

10:00 am – Break

10:15 am – Robert Deibel, U.S. Forest Service, National Instream Flow Coordinator

 Customer Needs/Expectations

11:00 am – Re-Cap Work Group Goals and Direction – Leanne Hanson

11:45 am – Lunch on your own

12:45 pm – Facilitated Breakout Groups

5-6 groups having focused discussions based on provided White Paper Outline.

See Break-out Group Instructions below

3:00 pm – Break

3:15 pm – Meeting Wrap-up

Group Discussion:

Understanding Gained from Break-out Group Participation

Interesting Model Stories (this only happened because...)

What Makes a ‘Good’ Model Good...

4:30 pm – Making Linkages and What Will Happen Next – Leanne Hanson

Full group discussion to develop recommendations of how work group findings link-up. 

Next steps for the group, information, and insights gleaned from this Session.

5:00 pm – Meeting Adjourns
6 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Appendix 2. River Ecosystem Modeling Break Out Group Instructions

USGS River Ecosystem Modeling:

Where are we, how did we get here, and where are we going?

February 11, 2008

Break-out Group Instructions

Break-out Group Topic (check one):

_____ Policy

_____ Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport

_____ Ecosystems

_____ Water Quality

_____ Instream Flow and Decision Support Systems

Group Recorder:

 ___________________________ ________________________

 Name E-mail Address

Please list group participant names on back of sheet.

Goal:

Develop a prioritized list of what river ecosystem modeling (in your topic area) should be done within USGS.

Discussion Points:

•	 Identify current and future modeling needs

•	 Describe how current models or current model development fills those needs

•	 Identify gaps between current models and those needs

•	 Establish priorities for work on the areas of greatest need

For each discussion point list developed, please identify which criteria was used to establish the priority.

Priority Setting Criteria:

1. Magnitude of issue that the model will address – the scope (geographic and societal benefits) of issues 

addressed by this model (i.e., this model category will deal with global warming issues across the World’s 

Rivers).

2. Extent of gap of the current state of the art from the need – how far behind the eight-ball are we? (i.e., we 

need a hydrodynamic model of a 10 mile river reach at a 1 cm resolution, but we don’t have the computing 

power to process the data. Currently we are unable to predict aquatic species populations in streams under 

stable conditions, let alone in a changing stream state, therefore we are filling a large, important gap in 

modeling).

3. Current urgency of the need – can you get me an answer by Friday? (i.e., the resource needs a heart 

transplant, but we don’t have a heart [model] available).
Appendix 3. River Ecosystem Modeling Break Out Group Notes 7

Appendix 3. River Ecosystem Modeling Break Out Group Notes

Models are only as reliable as the data used to drive them. The group identified several kinds of information needs in 

terms of specific data and knowledge needed about ecological processes. This summary of those items may be useful 

in informing the USGS science strategy document on water availability being prepared this quarter and funding 

allocation discussions as they may occur.

- are we talking about developing a model or applying a model? – This comment speaks to the use of models 

to test hypotheses. In some cases a site-specific or case-specific model may be needed to test a hypothesis 

prior to developing a deterministic or stochastic representation of the phenomena.

- people in the field are not necessarily aware of models and their applications – This speaks to the need for 

a broader mechanism by which model availability is communicated to the USGS community and to our 

partner natural resource agencies.

- What questions do we want to address? What data do we need to develop those tools? What level of 

confidence do you want in those models? – These points need to be brought up in discussing any prototype 

study case.

No one model, or group of models, can incorporate all of the variability in natural systems, especially as we learn 

more about the complexities of these systems. The break out group identified the following gaps and challenges in 

river ecosystem modeling:

•	 Biological – Ecological ‘Response’

o Look at biologic and phylogenic response with models–we need to look at biota and organic components 

of aquatic systems and identify the historical biological response with molecular techniques

o Look at legacy effects of bottleneck disturbance; USGS has at least two molecular labs. We should be 

looking at microsatellite markers (mt) of DNA–to analyze gene flow vs. historical landscape changes

o Need follow-up to validate the models we have now.

•	 Long term data sets are key...

•	 Need a better process for understanding the physical and ecological mechanisms at work

•	 Use information and data on how systems have changed over recent decades to make predictions of what 

systems will look like in the future?

o Specific ecological outcomes

o Channel change models

o Water sources will change (e.g., wastewater inputs to systems)

o Water quality models

	 Changes of water quality affects on biotic communities

o Scale

•	 Stream temperature

o Biotic and physical response?

o Anyone asking for this yet?

•	 Land use change and effect on systems? 

o Do we assume unchanged development practices?

o Play with this in models – effects of differing management practices

o How much data to pull this apart? Site-specific data; across a basin – harder

•	 Land use change + Climate change

o Including sea level change

o What synergies exist between these?

•	 System-scale change – Integrating models of ecosystem components to characterize current/past/future 

ecological conditions

o Flow

o Water quality

o Biologic structure
8 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Our one last note:

We considered a modeling motto similar to the science motto “Science is not science until it’s published”. Perhaps 

we should say, “A model is not a model until it’s transferred to the user.” Thus, an additional condition for 

development of a potential prototype river ecosystem problem would be the existence of a body of interested users.
Appendix 4. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Participants and Contributors 9

Appendix 4. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Participants and 

Contributors

This appendix contains the names, phone numbers, and affiliations of work group participants and those individuals 

who were included in e-mail traffic related to the river ecosystem modeling work group but were unable to 

participate in the work group in person.

Full name Phone number Affiliation

Andrea Alpine 928.556.7094 BRD-HQ

Dave Armstrong 508.490.5060 WRD-ER-MA

Guleid Artan 605.594.6195 Geog

Terry Arundel 928.556.7174 BRD-SBSC

William Asquith 512.927.3580 WRD-TX

Greg Auble 970.226.9448 BRD-FORT

Jerad Bales 919.571.4048 WRD-NC

Larry Barber 303.541.3039 WRD

Doug Beard 703.648.4215 BRD-HQ

Jayne Belnap 435.719.2333 BRD-SBSC

Ken Bencala 650.329.4409 WRD-WR-NRP

Charles Berenbrock 703.648.6876 WRD-OSW

Steve Blanchard 703.648.5629 WRD-HQ

Kyle Blasch 520.670.6671 ext 283 WRD

Dave Bornholdt 304.724.4502 USGS-ER

Ken Bovee 970.226.9320 BRD-FORT

Zack Bowen 970.226.9218 BRD-FORT

Bret Bruce 303.445.4613 WRD-CRO

Janice Bryan 573.441.2953 BRD

Nina Burkardt 970.226.9275 BRD-FORT

Dave Busch 503.808.2192 USGS-WR

Brian Cade 970.226.9326 BRD-FORT

Sharon Campbell 970.226.9331 BRD-FORT

Daren Carlisle 703.648.6890 WRD-HQ

Jeanette Carpenter 303.445.2230 BRD-FORT

Jim Carter 650.329.4439 WRD-WR

Thomas Cecere 703.648.5551 Geog

Colleen Charles 703.648.4110 BRD-HQ

Brian Cole 650.329.4593 USGS-WR

Tony DeGange 907.786.3492 BRD-AK

Roger Denlinger 360.993.8904 GD-CAVO

Frank D’Erchia 303.202.4743 CRO

Ben Dietsch 402.328.4122 WRD-NE

Jeff Duda 206.526.6282 ext 233 BRD-WFRC

Eric Evenson 609.771.3904 WRD-ER

Jim Eychaner 916.278.9555 WRD-WR

Faith Fitzpatrick 608.821.3818 WRD-ER

Lorrie Flint 916.278.3223 WRD-WR

Jill Frankforter 402.328.4143 WRD-NE

Mary Freeman 706.583.0978 BRD-PWRC
10 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Full name Phone number Affiliation

Jonathan Friedman 970.226.9318 BRD-FORT

Janice Fulford 228.688.1501 WRD-MS

Guy Gelfenbaum 650.329.5483 GD

Allen Gellis 443.498.5581 WRD-MD

W. Reed Green 501.228.3607 WRD

Susan Greenlee 605.594.6011 Geog-EDC

Elly Griffin 303.541.3041 WRD-HQ

John Guthrie 703.648.4708 Geog

John Hamill 928.556.7364 BRD-GCMRC

Dave Hamilton 970.226.9383 BRD-FORT

Leanne Hanson 970.226.9262 BRD-FORT

Alex Haro 413.863.3806 BRD-Conte Lab

Judson Harvey 703.648.5876 WRD-HQ

James Hatten 509.538.2299 ext 252 BRD-CERC

Lauren Hay 303.236.7279 WRD-NRP

Dave Heimann 816.524.3287 WRD-MO

Jay Hestbeck 303.236.2730 ext 264 CRO

W. Brian Hughes 770.903.9162 WRD-GA

Elise Irwin 334.844.9190 BRD

Rob Jacobson 573.876.1844 BRD-CERC

John Jones 703.648.5543 Geog-ER

Sonya Jones 770.409.7705 WRD

Jason Kean 303.273.8608 GD-Boulder

Jonathan Kennen 609.771.3948 WRD-NJ

Jeff Kershner 406.994.5304 BRD-NRMSC

Julie Kiang 703.648.5364 WRD

Jack Kindinger 727.803.8747 ext 3018 WRD-FL

Anne Kinsinger 206.220.4578 USGS-WR

Paul Kinzel 303.278.7941 WRD-NRP

Jim Kircher 303.236.4882 ext 258 WRD

Noah Knowles 650.329.4476 WRD-WR

Chris Konrad 206.343.4345 ext 375 WRD-TNC

Bill Labiosa 650.329.4279 Geog-WR

Lee Lamb 970.226.9314 BRD-FORT

Linda Leake 608.781.6269 BRD

Bill Lellis 570.724.3322 ext 222 BRD-LSC

Ben Letcher 413.863.3803 BRD-Conte Lab

Josh Linard 303.236.4882 ext 373 WRD-CO

Ken Lubinski 608.781.6297 BRD-UMESC

Lisa Lucas 650.329.4588 WRD-HQ-CA

Dennis Lynch 503.251.3265 WRD-WR

Jeff Mabe 512.927.3552 WRD-TX

Mike Mac 573.876.1900 BRD-CERC

Chris Magirl 520.670.6671 ext 267 WRD-HQ

Steve Markstrom 303.236.3330 WRD

Serena Mankiller 928.556.7094 BRD-SWBSC

Robert Mason 703.648.5305 WRD-HQ

Mark Mastin 253.552.1609 WRD-WA
Appendix 4. River Ecosystem Modeling Work Group Participants and Contributors 11

Full name Phone number Affiliation

Rich McDonald 303.278.7952 WRD-NRP

Ted Melis 928.556.7282 BRD-GCMRC

Bob Milhous 970.226.9322 BRD-FORT

Nancy Monsen 650.329.4337 WRD-WR

Scott Morlock 317.290.3333 ext 153 WRD-IN

John Moody 303.541.3011 WRD-HQ

Gordon Mueller 303.445.2218 BRD-FORT

Clint Muhlfeld 406.888.7926 BRD

Jonathan Nelson 303.278.7957 WRD-NRP

Elena Nilsen 503.251.3277 WRD-OR

Mike Nolan 650.329.4419 WRD-WR

Ken Odom 334.395.4140 WRD-AL

Waite Osterkamp 520.670.6821 ext 113 WRD-HQ-AZ

Andrea Ostroff 703.648.4070 BRD-GAP

Eben Paxton 601.818.8662 BRD

Charles Peters 608.821.3810 WRD

Kathy Peter 208.387.1316 WRD-ID

Jim Peterson 706.542.1166 BRD-GA Coop

Bruce Pugesek 406.994.6144 BRD-NRMSC

Vivian Queija 206.220.4565 Geog-WR

Bob Renken 954.377.5922 WRD-FL

John Risley 503.251.3279 WRD-OR

Stewart Rounds 503.251.3280 WRD-OR

Rob Runkel 303.236.4882 ext 285 WRD-CO

Dave Russ 703.648.6660 GD-ER

Nathan Schaepe 402.328.4184 WRD-NE

Steve Schindler 703.648.5970 GD-ER

Travis Schmidt 970.226.9470 GD-Post-doc

Robin Schrock 703.648.4066 BRD-HQ

Mike Scott 970.226.9475 BRD-FORT

Pat Shafroth 970.226.9327 BRD-FORT

Mark Shasby 970.226.9398 BRD-FORT

Mark Sherfy 701.253.5504 BRD-NPWRC

Chris Sherwood 508.457.2269 GD-ER

Frank Shipley 206.220.4600 BRD-WR

Rip Shively 541.273.8689 BRD-WFRC

Allison Shipp 541.880.0040 WR

Francisco Simoes 303.278.7956 WRD-NRP

Peter Smith 916.278.3125 WRD-CA

Mark Sogge 928.523.7768 BRD-SBSC

Jeff Spooner 573.308.3526 Geog-Rolla

Ward Staubiz 703.648.5061 WRD-HQ

Jim Terrell 970.226.9416 BRD-FORT

Kathryn Thomas 520.670.5534 BRD-SWBSC

Janet Thompson 650.329.4364 WRD-WR

Lyman Thorsteinson 206.526.6282 ext 235 BRD-WFRC

Joan Thullen 303.445.2212 BRD-FORT

Christian Torgersen 206.616.1874 BRD-FRESC
12 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Full name Phone number Affiliation

Christine Turner 303.236.1561 GD

Gary Turney 253.552.1626 WRD-WA

Charles Van Riper 520.626.7027 BRD-SBSC

Marijke vanHeeswijk 253.552.1625 WRD-WA

Kris Verdin 605.594.6002 Geog-EDC

Terry Waddle 970.226.9386 BRD-FORT

Bob Webb 520.670.6671 ext 238 WRD-HQ-AZ

Peter Weiskel 508.490.5026 WRD-ER-MA

Emily Wheeler 217.390.6401 BRD

Mark Wildhaber 573.876.1847 BRD-CERC

Sam Williamson 970.226.9362 BRD-FORT

Bob Winfree 907.644.3516 NPS

Dave Wolock 785.832.3528 WRD-KS

Molly Wood 208.387.1320 WRD-ID

Nathan Wood 360.993.8951 Geog-CAVO

Paul Young 703.648.5115 Geog-ER

Ron Zelt 402.328.4140 WRD-NE

Bob Zuellig 970.226.9419 WRD-CO
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 13

Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets

This appendix contains an alphabetical listing of the model summary sheets submitted by USGS employees. The 

models included here are currently being used or developed within USGS for river modeling applications. Blue text 

on each form indicates the information submitted for that model. Hotlinks are indicated by italicized text.

•	 BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating point & Non-point Sources)

•	 BLTM (Branched Lagrangian Transport Model)

•	 BRANCH (Branch-Network Dynamic Flow Model)

•	 CAP (Culvert Analysis Program)

•	 CE-QUAL-W2

•	 CGAP (Channel Geometry Analysis Program)

•	 CSHHAD_CAL (Cross-Sectional Hydraulic Habitat Distribution Calculator)

•	 DAFLOW (Streamflow routing in upland channels or channel networks)

•	 DAMFLO.2

•	 DR3M (Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model)

•	 FASTMECH (Flow and Sediment Transport with Mechanical Evolution of Channels)

•	 FEQ (Full EQuations Model)

•	 FESWMS_FST2DH (Finite-Element Surface-Water Modeling System for two-dimensional flow in the 

horizontal plane)

•	 FourPT (Unsteady, one-dimensional, open-channel flow model)

•	 GENSCN (GENeration and analysis of model simulation SCeNarios)

•	 GLSNET (Regional hydrologic regression and NETwork analysis using Generalized Least Squares)

•	 GR (Graphing Application)

•	 GSFLOW (Ground- and Surface- Water Flow Model)

•	 HAT (Hydrologic Assessment Tool)

•	 HIT (Hydrologic Index Tool)

•	 HSPEXP (Expert System for Calibration of HSPF)

•	 HSPF (Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN)

•	 HYSEP (Hydrograph Separation Program)

•	 IFIM (Instream Flow Incremental Methodology)

•	 Knowledge Capturing and Analysis Tool for Floodplain Stakeholders

•	 LIAM (The Legal-Institutional Analysis Model)

•	 LOADEST (LOAD ESTimator)

•	 MD_SWMS (Multi-Dimensional Surface-Water Modeling System)

•	 MMS (Modular Modeling System)

•	 ModBranch (GW/SW Coupled Flow Model using MODFLOW and BRANCH)

•	 NSS (National Streamflow Statistics program)

•	 OTEQ (One-dimensional Transport with EQuilibrium chemistry)

•	 OTIS (One-dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage)

•	 PeakFQ (Flood Frequency Analysis Based on Bulletin 17B)

•	 PHABSIM (Physical Habitat Simulation System)

•	 Predictive Models of Hydrologic Indicators

•	 PRMS (Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System)

•	 PRMS-LVDM-FMDS (Precipitation Runoff Modeling System, Landscape Vegetative Dynamics Models, Fish 

Metapopulation Dynamic Simulation)

•	 River 2D (River 2-Dimension)

•	 RAX (River-Aquifer Exchange Calculator)

•	 RMA2_SED2D

•	 ROMS / CSTM (Regional Ocean Modeling System / Community Sediment Transport Model)

•	 SAC (Slope-Area Computation Program)
14 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

•	 SALMOD (Salmon Population Model)

•	 SalReP (Salmon Restoration Planning Model)

•	 SEDMOD (Mixed-Size Sediment Transport Model for Networks)

•	 SEM (Structural Equation Model)

•	 SI3D (Semi-Implicit, 3D Model for Estuarine Circulation)

•	 SIAM (Systems Impact Assessment Model)

•	 SNTEMP (Stream Network Temperature Model)

•	 SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed Attributes)

•	 SToRM (System for Transport and River Modeling)

•	 StreamStats

•	 SWIFT2D (Surface-Water Integrated Flow and Transport 2D Model)

•	 SWSTAT (Surface Water Statistics)

•	 TRIMR2D (Transient Inundation Model for Rivers - 2 Dimensional)

•	 UNTRIM (Unstructured, Tidal, Residual, and Intertidal Mudflat)

•	 VPV (The Velocity Profile Viewer)

•	 WRRAT (Wood River Resource Analysis Tool)

•	 WSPRO (Water-Surface PROfile Computations)
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 15

Model Name: BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating point & Non-point Sources)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: A multipurpose environmental analysis system designed for regional, state, and local agencies that perform 

watershed and water quality-based studies.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: basins@epa.gov

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/BASINS/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
16 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: BLTM (Branched Lagrangian Transport Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Solves the 1D convective-diffusion equation with reaction kinetics with any number of interacting 

constituents through a system of 1D channels.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/BLTM/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 17

Model Name: BRANCH (Branch-Network Dynamic Flow Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulates steady or unsteady flow in a single open-channel reach (branch) or throughout a system of 

branches (network) connected in a dendritic or looped pattern.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/branch.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:
18 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: CAP (Culvert Analysis Program)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Uses standardized procedures for computing flow through culverts

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/Cap.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 19

Model Name: CE-QUAL-W2

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

 One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Deterministic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): any

Purpose: mechanistic branched network model of flow, water temperature, and water quality for rivers, lakes, 

reservoirs, and estuaries

Inputs: boundary conditions (stage or flow, temperature, water quality), meteorological data (wind speed, direction, 

air temp, dew point, cloud cover, solar radiation), bathymetry, roughness, various kinetic rate parameters, etc.

Outputs: flow, velocities, stage, water temperature, water quality parameters, fluxes, etc.

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: river reach

Developer/Affiliation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Portland State University

Current Users: a cast of thousands around the world

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: See user manual. Over 500+ applications around the globe.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Scott Wells, scott@cecs.pdx.edu

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: http://www.cee.pdx.edu/w2/

License Fees: None
20 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: CE-QUAL-W2 is a two-dimensional (longitudinal, 

vertical) model from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. CE-QUAL-W2 is a physically based mechanistic model 

that simulates gravity- and wind-driven flow through a network of interconnected river channels or reservoir reaches 

by using channel geometry and slope, bottom friction, wind shear, density effects, and upstream/downstream flow or 

water-level data. Algorithms to calculate the effect of hydraulic structures such as weirs, pumps, and spillways are 

included. Horizontal and vertical velocities, flow, and stage are simulated.

Water temperature is modeled in CE-QUAL-W2 by using a detailed expression of the energy budget of the 

water body. The model includes algorithms to dynamically calculate the effects of both topographic and vegetative 

shading. Using latitude, longitude, time of day, and the water body’s orientation, the model determines at each 

time step the presence or absence of a topographic or vegetative shadow on the water surface, the length of any 

shadow, and the degree to which that shadow shields the water body from solar radiation. Model inputs include 

meteorological data, topographic shading angles, tree-top elevations, distance to the vegetation, and solar-reduction 

factors associated with the riparian canopy that vary by location.

In addition to modeling flow and water temperature, CE‐QUAL‐W2 can simulate many water-quality 

constituents, including conservative and nonconservative tracers, bacteria, different forms of nitrogen (nitrate and 

ammonia) and phosphorus, multiple phytoplankton and epiphyton groups, dissolved oxygen, multiple suspendedsediment groups, and dissolved and particulate organic matter, to name a few. CE-QUAL-W2 has open source code, 

good documentation, and a large user community. In addition, it has a long history of successful application to a 

wide range of lake, reservoir, estuary, and river systems.

Model Name: CGAP (Channel Geometry Analysis Program)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Analysis, interpretation, and quantification of physical properties of an open-channel reach defined by cross 

sections.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 21

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/cgap.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: CSHHAD_CAL (Cross-Sectional Hydraulic Habitat Distribution Calculator)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Not a suite

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

Quasi-2D (W and D, not streamwise); but integrates multi-temporal data for same cross section location.

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital 

2) Dynamic Conditions Statistical 

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: 

The calculator is intended for use by individual(s) using the cross-sectional data of wetted channel for characterizing 

the distribution of streamflow depth, velocity, discharge, and other metrics derived from cross-sectional information. 

The calculator enables users to achieve consistent and rapid streamflow cross-sectional data analysis; therefore saves 

time for other project tasks.

Inputs:

Input is data routinely recorded on the U.S. Geological Survey Form 9-275F or other equivalent forms (e.g., nonUSGS measurements) during streamflow cross-sectional measurement: the distance of each sampling vertical from a 

reference point, water depth, point velocity(ies), horizontal streamline-angle coefficient, left and right edge of water, 

and left and right edges of stream interruptions (e.g., sandbars, islands, and piers)

Outputs:

Area- or Width-weighted cumulative frequency distribution of parameters of aquatic habitat, distribution of prespecified habitat classes throughout each cross section. Includes descriptive statistics of each metric distribution and 
22 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

for summarizing central tendancy and variability of the frequency distribution among multiple sets of cross-sectional 

measurements. 

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Variable, depending on lateral density of input cross-sectional measurements

Developer/Affiliation:

Developed for the Lower Platte River Cumulative Impact Study, by USGS-Nebr. WSC, in cooperation with the 

Lower Platte Source Natural Resources District.

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Presently used only by USGS Nebr. WSC. Once approved for external release, plans for use in geomorphic study of 

Niobrara River in cooperation with Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Several gaging sites along the lower Platte River, Nebraska; 

results relate to USFWS consultations for continued bank stabilization and levees constructed by USACE; results 

were used in USGS SIR, now in final tech/specialist review.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

No formal support or updates planned presently; developed during completion of reimbursable project. Contact/

resource is Daniel Ginting, USGS Nebr. WSC, dginting@usgs.gov, 402-328-4121

Public Use? Planned (once approved, will be released to the public)

Off-the-shelf availability? Not yet. Will be released with OFR that is in preparation now

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: The program is designed for Excel 2003 using 

a graphical user interface (GUI) written with Excel Visual Basic for Applications. Simple installation: All 

intermediate and final results of calculations were written in the same worksheet; this calculator sheet is copied 

into same workbook where input data are located. Graphical representation of results is included as output. 

The intermediate values may be important for use with other applications or analyses. Beside the already wide 

familiarity with the Excel program, the GUI makes using the program intuitive and easy. 

Program input format could be readily modified to accept output from the forthcoming module of the USGS NWIS 

(ADAPS) system where cross-sectional details will soon be archivable in an electronic relational data system.
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 23

Model Name: DAFLOW (Streamflow routing in upland channels or channel networks)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Streamflow routing using the diffusion analogy form of the flow equations in conjunction with a 

Lagrangian solution scheme.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/daflow.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:
24 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: DAMFLO.2

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Computes flow through dam structures using hydraulic equations that describe flow through sluice and 

Tainter gates, crest gates, lock gates, spillways, locks, pumps, and siphons.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Toby Feaster, USGS (tfeaster@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr03473/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 25

Model Name: DR3M (Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Watershed model for routing storm runoff through a branched system of pipes and (or) natural channels 

using rainfall as input.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/DR3M/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
26 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: FASTMECH (Flow and Sediment Transport with Mechanical Evolution of Channels)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: 2D vertical average and quasi-3D general steady-state flow.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Jonathan Nelson, USGS (jmn@usgs.gov)

Richard McDonald, USGS (rmcd@usgs.gov) 

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GEOMORPH_Lab/project-FaSTMECH.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: also see MD_SWMS
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 27

Model Name: FEQ (Full EQuations Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulate steady or unsteady flow in a single open-channel reach (branch) or throughout a system of 

branches (network) connected in a dendritic or looped pattern.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Audrey Ishii, USGS (alishii@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://il.water.usgs.gov/proj/feq

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
28 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: FESWMS_FST2DH (Finite-Element Surface-Water Modeling System for two-dimensional flow in the 

horizontal plane)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Determining flooding extent for FEMA Letter of Map Revision.

Inputs: Discharge, downstream wse, eddy viscosity

Outputs: Velocity, depths, wse

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Reach model, cell dimensions variable

Developer/Affiliation: Federal Highway Administration

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Sni-A-Bar Creek, west-central Missouri

Rydlund, P.H., Jr., Otero-Benítez, W. and Heimann, D.C., 2008, Hydraulic analyses of Sni-A-Bar Creek and selected 

tributaries at Grain Valley, Jackson County, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–

5051, 57 p. plus films. 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Federal Highway Administration

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 29

URL to access model: http://water.usgs.gov/software/FESWMS-2DH/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Used within the SMS pre-, post-processing software

Model Name: FourPT (Unsteady, one-dimensional, open-channel flow model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulates steady or unsteady flow in a single open-channel reach (branch) or throughout a system of 

branches (network) connected in a dendritic or looped pattern.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov
30 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

http://water.usgs.gov/software/FourPt.html

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: GENSCN (GENeration and analysis of model simulation SCeNarios)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: A tool for generating and analyzing model simulations from the HSFP watershed model.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/genscn.html
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 31

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: also see HSPF

Model Name: GLSNET (Regional hydrologic regression and NETwork analysis using Generalized Least Squares)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Uses residuals techniques to estimate a regional regression equation to predict flow characteristics at 

ungaged sites.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/GLSNet/
32 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: GR (Graphing Application)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: A comprehensive editing and visualization solution for multidimensional data. Also be used to display or 

animate vector data, particle paths, or two-dimensional (2D) data fields. GR is often used with time series data, but it 

will work with any data that describes Y as a function of X.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

John Donovan, USGS (jmd@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 33

URL to access model: http://ca.water.usgs.gov/program/sfbay/gr/

http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~jmd/gr/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: GSFLOW (Ground- and Surface-Water Flow Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

PRMS and MODFLOW-2005

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time one day (mean daily values) 

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical Numerical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows and Linux

Purpose: GSFLOW was developed to simulate coupled groundwater/surface-water flow in one or more watersheds 

by simultaneously simulating flow across the land surface and within subsurface saturated and unsaturated materials.

Inputs: Measured (station data) temperature, precipitation, solar radiation (optional). Land surface characterization, 

hydraulic conductivity, and storage coefficients.

Outputs: Many states and fluxes which describe the water balance on the land surface, unsaturated and saturated 

zones, rivers, and lakes.

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Resolution is 10 m2 to 10s of km2. Scale is 10s of km2 to 10,000s km2.

Developer/Affiliation: Markstrom, Niswonger, Regan, Barlow, and Prudic (USGS)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Wisconsin, Nevada, California, 

and Pennsylvania Water Science Centers (in beta testing phase)

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: It has been applied/tested in snow-melt basin in the Sierra Nevada (California), lake dominated basin in 

northern Wisconsin, and carstic system in central Pennsylvania.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Will be supported by developers in 2008
34 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? More or less

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/gsflow/gsflow.html

License Fees: Public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: HAT (Hydrologic Assessment Tool) 

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One modeling tool.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Step: None

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Setting standards for environmental flows and performing water management alternative analyses

Inputs: Daily flow, peak flow, drainage area, alternative flow scenarios

Outputs: 171 hydrologic indices for comparison of baseline and alternative flow scenarios

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: USGS

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

States of New Jersey, Missouri, Texas and Pennsylvania

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Rivers and streams located in states listed above.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? No

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 35

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User, download from USGS FORT website. 

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None – public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Jim Henriksen, USGS FORT has retired. Support is 

limited to model documentation and user guides available from FORT website. 

Model Name: HIT (Hydrologic Index Tool)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One modeling tool

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Step: None

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Computing hydrologic indices for a river reach (one gage)

Inputs: Daily flow, peak flow, drainage area

Outputs: 171 hydrologic indices

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: USGS FORT/Colorado State University

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

States of New Jersey, Missouri, Texas, Pennsylvania, USGS (Various)

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: River and streams in states listed above and nationally, at most USGS gages.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? NO
36 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User, download from USGS FORT website

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None – public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: This modeling tool is used for stream classification by 

the user. Jim Henriksen, USGS FORT has retired. Support for this model is limited to model documentation and use 

available on the FORT website. 

Model Name: HSPEXP (Expert System for Calibration of HSPF)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Interactively edit the User Control Input (UCI) file for HSPF, simulate HSPF, produce output plots, 

compared to observed values, compute error statistics, and provide user with expert advice on which parameters 

should be changed up or down to improve the calibration.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 37

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/HSPexp/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: HSPF (Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

 Windows

Purpose: Determining effects of impoundments and land cover on streamflows.

Inputs: Topography, land cover, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, temperature

Outputs: Streamflow time series

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Watershed, sub-watershed reaches

Developer/Affiliation: USGS, EPA

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 
38 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Upper Osage River Basin, Missouri and Kansas

Heimann, D.C., Licher, S.S. and Schalk, G.K., 2007, Effects of Impoundments and LandCover Changes on Streamflows and Selected Fish Habitat in the upper Osage River Basin, Missouri and Kansas: 

U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5175, 96 p.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address) EPA, USGS

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: http://water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/man_wrdapp?hspf

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Used within the BASINS system of models and utilities

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins/

Model Name: HYSEP (Hydrograph Separation Program)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Performs hydrograph separation, estimating the ground

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 39

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/HYSEP

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: IFIM (Instream Flow Incremental Methodology)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

This model is a framework for addressing instream flow decisions. It can incorporate any institutional, physical, or 

biological conceptual or numerical models that address IFIM component processes.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Can be any or all of these

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation Decision Support

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): n/a

Purpose: To provide an organized approach to multi-agency, multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder resource allocation 

problems related to instream flow management.

Inputs: Willingness of participants to talk, need to reach a conclusion, legal or institutional forcing function, eg. 

permit processes, specific data requirements for selected component models

Outputs: Vary by decision making setting

Output Format Accessible by: n/a Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: Defined by the users
40 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Developer/Affiliation: Instream Flow Group, USFWS

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

A full list of users has not been compiled, but includes state and federal agencies and others outside the United States. 

However, experience suggests users tend to use the easy parts and avoid the hard parts until they find that won’t work.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court cases/

Environmental Impact Statements used this model used?

World wide

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS Contact: Ken Bovee boveek@usgs.gov

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Users

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/IFIM//

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Some models developed by the Instream Flow Group that 

can be used as part of IFIM are available at http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/. They include PHABSIM 

– Physical Habitat Simulation System, SNTEMP – Stream Network Temperature Model, LIAM – Legal and 

Institutional Analysis Model. Specific implementations of IFIM as decision support systems are also available from 

the same web site, for example: the Delaware River Decision Support System (DRDSS), 

http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/DRDSS/.

Model Name: Knowledge Capturing and Analysis Tool for Floodplain Stakeholders

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Two versions of the same model, developed by different stakeholder groups.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time step = 1 year.

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows running STELLA

Purpose: To assist river stakeholders in understanding the factors controlling land ownership and allocation in the 

Mississippi River floodplain and to allow them to forecast future conditions under different management alternatives.

Inputs: Stakeholder mental models, gut feelings and assumptions
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 41

Outputs: Land use change over time and abstracted translation of land use into floodplain functionality parameters

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: Multiple Scientists, University of Illinois and USGS

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Model is not currently being 

used.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Upper Mississippi River.

Also, what publications/court cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Emily Wheeler, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1604 S. Vine 

Street, Urbana, IL 61801, 217.390.6401, erwheele@uiuc.edu

Also, is support current? Yes

Public Use? Yes, the model is available for public use. The models are locked for editing

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/erwheele/shared/Great%20Rivers%20Models/

License Fees: No. There is a free version of STELLA available for running models at: http://www.iseesystems.com/

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: The importance of these scoping level conceptual 

models rests in their ability to capture stakeholder viewpoints and assumptions –i.e. the outputs are not meant to 

be rigorously validated and quantitative but rather to reflect back to the user what might happen if this collective 

conception of reality is indeed realistic. There is potential for validation of assumptions and conversion of this 

type of model into a synthetic hub for more sophisticated models of each component (i.e. fish models, hydrological 

models, economic models etc.).

Model Name: LIAM (The Legal-Institutional Analysis Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National
42 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: To assess the legal and institutional setting of a specific decision process and to use that information to 

design a negotiation strategy

Inputs: Users answer a series of questions about each stakeholder regarding that stakeholder’s likely motivations and 

behavior in a specific negotiation

Outputs: A “role map” that places each stakeholder in one of four quadrants, based on their preference for type 

of process (continuum from “brokered” to “arbitrated”) and type of outcome (continuum from “status quo” to 

“change.”)

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation: Lee Lamb, USGS; Leah J. Wilds, University of Nevada-Reno; Jonathan G. Taylor, USGS 

(but all were USFWS-Instream Flow Group at time of development)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

We serve the software on the FORT website and do not know who uses it. We use it on request in a workshop setting 

to help stakeholders understand the likely dynamics of upcoming negotiations.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Terror River, AK; various Wyoming locations for grizzly bear management issue; Idaho-Montana FERC relicensing issue, others.

Burkardt, N., and P.D. Ponds. 2006. Using role analysis to plan for stakeholder involvement: a comparison of three 

workshops. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(5): 1306-1313.

Lamb, B.L., J.G. Taylor, N.Burkardt, and P.D. Ponds. 1998. A policy model to initiate environmental negotiations: 

three hydropower workshops. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 3(4): 1-17.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Supported at USGS-FORT, served on website. Contact for model is Nina Burkardt, burkardtn@usgs.gov; 970-

226-9275. Address: FORT, 2150-C Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80526. Model is in need of update/reprogramming and more user-friendly options.

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes, can download from FORT website

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer, but users can download.

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 43

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Model was developed as part of the Instream Flow 

Incremental Methodology to help decision makers and other stakeholders understand legal-institutional setting, and 

how the use of information derived from IFIM and other studies could be used in complex decision environments.

Model Name: LOADEST (LOAD ESTimator)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Estimates constituent loads in streams and rivers over a user-specified time interval.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/loadest/
44 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: MD_SWMS (Multi-Dimensional Surface-Water Modeling System)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Suite of interrelated models including FASTMECH, STORM, H2KE, RMHAB

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

2d, 2d w/time step, quasi-3d, quasi-3d with time step

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Modeling flow, sediment transport, bed evolution, habitat, etc

Inputs: Topography, roughness in various forms, discharge or hydrograph, measured data for water surface elevation, 

velocity, etc

Outputs: All hydrodynamic variables, sediment flux, bed erosion/deposition rates, morphologic change, habitat 

parameters, all calibration/verification parameters

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: No limitations

Developer/Affiliation: Rich McDonald, Jonathan Nelson, Francisco Simoes, Yasuyuki Shimizu, Hiroshi 

Takebayashi, Craig Addley

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Many, including USGS, USFWS, USFS, many universities and other NGOs

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Many: Colorado, Green, Kootenai, Platte, Columbia, Trinity, Sacramento, Merced, Kern, Copper, Knik, 

Tanana, White, Ohio, Missouri, Yellowstone, Red River Vietnam, other small rivers and streams; many pubs, NRDA 

court case, some EIS inclusions

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory

4620 Technology Drive, Suite 400

Golden, CO 80403
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 45

Current support, Rich McDonald (rmcd@usgs.gov, 303-278-7952), Jonathan Nelson (jmn@usgs.gov, 303-278-7957)

Public Use? Open source, public domain (both interface and all models)

Off-the-shelf availability? Download at GSTL website

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Both

URL to access model: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/gstl/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: MMS (Modular Modeling System)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Modular Modeling System (MMS) is a toolbox for water- and environmental-resources modeling and 

management. Selected models and modules in MMS are: PRMS, GSFLOW, WEBMOD, TOPMODEL, Hydro-17 

(NWS snowmelt), Sacramento Model (NWS), Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM) (ARS), and ENNS Model (modified 

HBV, Austria).

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)
46 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Lauren Hay, USGS (lhay@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_MoWS/index.shtml

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: ModBranch (GW/SW Coupled Flow Model using MODFLOW and BRANCH)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulates surface- and ground-water interactions, steady or unsteady flow in a single open-channel reach 

(branch) or throughout a system of branches (network) connected in a dendritic or looped pattern by solving the onedimensional equations of continuity and momentum for the river flow.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 47

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/MODBRNCH/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: NSS (National Streamflow Statistics program)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Provides simple methods of estimating streamflow statistics in the United States.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)
48 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/NSS/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: OTEQ (One-dimensional Transport with EQuilibrium chemistry)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Unix (Solaris), Linux

Purpose: Simulate fate and transport of metals subject to equilibruium chemistry

Inputs: parameter estimates, upstream boundary condition, streamflow

Outputs: simulated concentrations of stream and storage zone solute concentration

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

(output is in the form of simple ascii flat files)

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation: Rob Runkel USGS CO WSC (runkel@usgs.gov)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Internal USGS research; public 

version is forthcoming

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: streams and small rivers in Colorado and Utah

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Yes

Rob Runkel USGS CO WSC (runkel@usgs.gov)
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 49

Public Use? Planned for late FY08

Off-the-shelf availability? Planned for late FY08

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: http://co.water.usgs.gov/oteq/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: OTIS (One-dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): DOS window, Unix, Linux

Purpose: Use observed stream tracer data to estimate parameters describing “Transient Storage”

Inputs: initial parameter estimates, timeseries of observed tracer data

Outputs: simulated concentrations of stream and storage zone tracer concentration

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

(output is in the form of simple ascii flat files)

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation: Rob Runkel USGS CO WSC (runkel@usgs.gov)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): numerous. Primarily stream 

ecologists working outside of the USGS.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: see (outdated) list at http://co.water.usgs.gov/otis/documentation/applications/index.html

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Yes

Rob Runkel USGS CO WSC (runkel@usgs.gov)

Public Use? Yes
50 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: http://co.water.usgs.gov/otis/

License Fees: none

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: PeakFQ (Flood Frequency Analysis Based on Bulletin 17B)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical 

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Provides estimates of instantaneous annual-maximum peak flows for a range of recurrence intervals.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 51

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/PeakFQ/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: PHABSIM (Physical Habitat Simulation System)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

The model is a collection of programs

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): 

There are two versions 1) a windows version and 2) a version that uses dos commands.

Purpose: To develop a set of relations between streamflow and habitat for selected species of aquatic organisms

Inputs: Cross-sectional, substrate, and velocity data, habitat suitability criteria for target aquatic organisms

Outputs: The set of habitat versus streamflow relations

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: 

Defined by the user, generally confined to river segments or samples from related river segments

Developer/Affiliation: Instream Flow Group, USFWS

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

A full list of users has not been compiled, but includes state and federal agencies and others outside the United 

States. There is current substantial use in Spain and Italy. Organizations in Norway, France and the UK have 

implemented their own versions.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Rachel Spence and Phil Hickley. 2000. The use of PHABSIM in the management of water resources and 

fisheries in England and Wales. Ecological Engineering 16 pp 152-158.

Many others can be found using a Google search with ‘Physical Habitat Simulation System PHABSIM.
52 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

DOS version is unsupported at this time. Windows version is supported on a time-available basis. 

Contact Terry Waddle: waddlet@usgs.gov.

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Users, who download it

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/PHABSIM/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: The model is used as part of the Instream Flow 

Incremental Methodology (IFIM). IFIM provides a framework for temporal and spatial integration of model results 

in an instream flow decision making context.

Model Name: Predictive Models of Hydrologic Indicators

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

ONE model for each indicator

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Any

Purpose: Predict expected natural flow regime (i.e., defined by aggregation of hydrologic indictors) for river 

segments. Assessments of hydrologic alteration are then possible for segments with sufficient period of flow data. 

Inputs: Set of GIS-derived predictor variables (e.g., climate, topography, soils) calculated for basins above river 

segments for which predictions are desired.

Outputs: The expected value (or distribution of expectations from internal bootstrapped predictions) for a given 

hydrologic indicator for each segment.

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: Point estimate for each segment for 

which a basin has been delineated and predictor variables calculated.

Developer/Affiliation: NAWQA, Ecological National Synthesis and Hydrologic Systems Teams
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 53

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Internal

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Not yet released to public—bureau approval of report forthcoming.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(Daren Carlisle, dcarlisle@usgs.gov, MS 413 Reston, VA)

Public Use? Not at present

Off-the-shelf availability? No

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Yes

URL to access model: N/A

License Fees: N/A

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: ABSTRACT of report that describes models:

Predicting the Natural Flow Regime: Models for Assessing Hydrological Alteration in Streams

Daren M. Carlisle1

James Falcone1

David M. Wolock2

Michael R. Meador1

Richard H. Norris3

1

National Water-Quality Assessment Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 413 National Center, Reston, VA 20192 

USA

2

National Water-Quality Assessment Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Lawrence, KS USA

3

Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital 

Territory, Australia

Ecological assessments of streams are incomplete without understanding whether the natural flow regime is intact. 

Assessing hydrologic alteration (i.e., condition) requires that we quantify the attributes of the flow regime that would 

be expected in the absence of anthropogenic disturbance. Our objective was to evaluate whether indicators of the 

natural flow regime could be predicted at regional and national spatial scales using geospatial data. We first selected 

1,272 gaged river basins throughout the contiguous U.S. where the hydrologic regimes were either least disturbed 

or near pristine. Using the period of record for these sites, we calculated 13 hydrologic indicators of magnitude, 

frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change. We used a robust modeling approach to evaluate the precision 

with which each indicator could be predicted with a single national and several regional models. We compared the 

precision of predictive models to that of “null” models, where expected values of each indicator were constant across 

hydrologic regions and ecoregions. A single national predictive model produced the most precise estimates for most 

indicators. Error rates ranged from 15-40%, but were <=25% for most indicators. We selected three gaged, nonreference sites to illustrate how predictive models could be used to assess site-specific hydrologic condition. These 

examples show how the model accurately estimates pre-disturbance hydrology and how reservoir construction and 

urbanization can affect hydrologic condition.
54 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Model Name: Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Time step is either one day (mean daily values) or unit values

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows and Linux

Purpose: The purpose of PRMS is: (1) simulation of land surface hydrologic processes, including evapotranspiration, 

runoff, infiltration, and interflow, by balancing energy and mass budgets of the plant canopy, snowpack, and soil 

zone; (2) simulation of hydrologic water budgets, at the watershed scale, with temporal scale ranging from minutes 

to centuries; (3) integration with models used for natural resource management or other scientific disciplines; and (4) 

has a modular design that allows for selection of alternative hydrologic process algorithms among existing or easily 

added modules.

Inputs: Measured (station data) temperature, precipitation, and optionally solar radiation

Outputs: Many states and fluxes which describe the water balance on the land surface and rivers

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: Resolution is 1 km2 to 100s of km2. 

Scale is 10s of km2 to 10,000s km2.

Developer/Affiliation: George Leavesley, et al (USGS)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Many Water Science Centers, 

many universities, several international groups

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: It has been applied in many of the snow-melt basins in the western U.S. Other (rain and eastern U.S.) 

basins too. See http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_MoWS/software/oui_and_mms_s/prmsBib.shtml

for bibliography.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Supported by USGS “Modeling of Watershed Systems” project: 

http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_MoWS/index.shtml

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? More or less
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 55

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: 

http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_MoWS/software/oui_and_mms_s/prms.shtml

License Fees: Public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: Multi-scale regional flow assessment tools:

PRMS – Precipitation runoff modeling system

LVDM – Landscape vegetative dynamic models

FMDS – Fish metapopulation dynamic simulation

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

This is a suite of interrelated streamflow, landscape dynamic, and population dynamic models for evaluating the 

influence of changing land use and hydrology on stream fishes.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

PRMS operates on a daily and sub-daily basis.

LVDM operates on bi-weekly, seasonal, and annual time steps.

MPDS operates on a seasonal time step.

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows and UNIX

Purpose: To estimate the distribution and persistence of stream-dwelling fishes in response to changes in streamflow 

and land use.

Inputs: 

PRMS: daily precipitation, and maximum and minimum temperature.

LVDM: remote sensed data from multiple sensing platforms and in situ data collection systems. 

MPDS: fish species pool and their traits, stream channel morphological classes and sizes, seasonal discharge 

statistics- 10 day low, 10 day high, median, standard deviation.

Outputs: 

PRMS outputs: distributed streamflow

LVDM outputs: Information on land cover type, vegetation biomass indices, vegetation condition (e.g., stress), 

surface water and soil moisture status that are used for input to hydrologic models and for linkage to habitat 

condition.
56 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

MPDS outputs: stream segment - probability of fish species occupancy, fish species richness; subwatershed/

watershed - proportion of reaches occupied by fish species

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

PRMS: user defined

LVDM: Spatial extent is the entire Upper Flint watershed. Cell dimensions range (depending on inputs) from 1 meter 

to 1000 meters on a side.

MPDS: Spatial extent is the Upper Flint River Basin with a MMU of a stream segment, depending on inputs. 

Developer/Affiliation: USGS Upper Flint River Thrust Project Team

Current Users: Development team

Examples: NA

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? NA

Public Use? Not currently

Off-the-shelf availability? Not currently

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: 

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: River2D (River 2-Dimension)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Determining velocity and depths for estimating fish habitat.
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 57

Inputs: Topography, discharge, downstream wse, eddy viscosity

Outputs: Velocity, depths, wse

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation: Peter Steffler, University of Alberta

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Marmaton and Marais des Cygnes Rivers, west-central Missouri

Heimann, D.C., Richards, J.M., Brewer, S.K., and Norman, R.D., 2005, Quantification of Fish Habitat in selected 

reaches of the Marmaton and Marais des Cygnes Rivers, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations 

Report 2005-5180, 58 p.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Peter Steffler, University of Alberta

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://www.river2d.ualberta.ca/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: RAX (River-Aquifer Exchange Calculator)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D (longitudinal along river and vertical) 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time – depends on input, 

typically daily

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National
58 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Visual Basic within Excel (Windows or Mac)

Purpose: calculate time-series of flux (volume/time) of ground-water discharge to a river and spatial extent (meters 

of river bed) of the seepage zone and surface flow.

Inputs: time-series of aquifer recharge rate, upstream streamflow (boundary conditions), 

parameters describing aquifer geometry and hydraulic properties (valley width, slope, aquifer thickness, porosity, 

hydraulic conductivity)

Outputs: MS Excel table with ground-water discharge time-series and location of upstream extent of ground-water 

seepage.

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: User-specified extent of river

Developer/Affiliation: Chris Konrad, USGS

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Konrad, C.P., Longitudinal hydraulic analysis of river-aquifer exchanges, Water Resources Research, 42, 

W08425, doi: 10.1029/2005WR004197

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? 

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Chris Konrad, cpkonrad@usgs.gov, 206.343.4345 x 375, 1917 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Public Use? Available by request

Off-the-shelf availability? No

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Yes

URL to access model: 

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: RMA2/SED2D

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

RMA2 can be used alone or as the hydraulic engine for SED2D

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 59

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose:

RMA2-Determining flood inundation area, engine for SED2D sediment transport model

SED2D-Determining sediment transport, deposition, and erosion characteristics of riparian wetlands.

Inputs:

RMA2-Discharge, downstream wse, eddy viscosity

SED2D-particle size, sediment concentration

Outputs:

RMA2-Velocity, depths, wse

SED2D-deposition/erosion, sediment concentration

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Reach model, cell dimensions variable

Developer/Affiliation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Long Branch Creek, NE Missouri

Heimann, D.C., 2001, Numerical Simulation of Streamflow Distribution, Sediment Transport, and Sediment 

Deposition along Long Branch Creek in Northeast Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 01-4269.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USACE Waterways Experiment Station/Engineer Research and Development Center

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: 
60 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Used within the SMS pre-, post-processing software

Model Name: ROMS / CSTM (Regional Ocean Modeling System / Community Sediment Transport Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Can be coupled with atmospheric and/or wave models.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations Research

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): All (Fortran90; requires CPP and various libraries. Parallelized on 

OpenMP and/or MPI).

Purpose: 3D Navier-Stokes equations finite difference model on S (terrain-following) vertical grid and curvilinear 

horizontal grid. Optimized for coastal modeling on ~10 m to 10 km horiz. scales. Also does sediment transport and 

ecological (NPZ) models.

Inputs: Bathymetry, water elevations and/or flow, wind, waves, bottom sediment, sus. sediment, initial conditions

Outputs: 3D flow, turbulence parameters, sediment concentrations, bottom stratigraphy

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Output is netCDF files in standard format. Many tools are available.

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: Regional to global-scale domains; 

minimum ~0.1 m.

Developer/Affiliation: ROMS/TOMS Group (Community development)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Many worldwide. Oceanographic researchers, mostly.

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

Supported by Rutgers Univ. and USGS.

No single contact. USGS users include:

Chris Sherwood – csherwood@usgs.gov
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 61

Rich Signell – rsignell@usgs.gov

John Warner – jcwarner@usgs.gov

Public Use? Open-source under MIT/X style license (very non-restrictive)

Off-the-web availability? Yes (via Subersion source-code client)

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Must be downloaded, compiled, set up, and run on user’s 

computer.

URL to access model: 

•	 https://www.myroms.org/projects/src/ Official ROMS Wiki/TRAC/SVN Site (Official repository for ROMS 

code; submit bug reports for ROMS and CSTM code here)

•	 https://www.myroms.org/wiki/ ROMS Documentation (including CSTM sediment-transport routines)

•	 https://www.myroms.org/forum/ ROMS Ocean Modeling Discussion Forum (queries and advice)

•	 http://www.ocean-modeling.org/ General ocean modeling web site

•	 https://www.myroms.org/projects/cstm/wiki CSTM TRAC/SVN Site (Repository for CSTM developers; 

code in trunk currently mirrors the official ROMS site, but it also has branches for CSTM project 

participants)

•	 https://www.hosted-projects.com/trac/cmgsoft/m_cmg/wiki Publicly available Matlab .m files from the 

USGS

•	 http://cstms.org Community sediment transport modeling system webpage

License Fees: Free

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: This model could be used for detailed modeling of river 

reaches, estuaries, lakes, and ocean waters, typically on reach to regional scales. It is not user friendly, but it is one of 

the better finite difference models for hydrostatic flow.

Model Name: SAC (Slope-Area Computation Program)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Uses the standardized procedure for computing discharge by the slope-area method.

Inputs:

Outputs:
62 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/SAC/

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/fs/fs20043028

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: SALMOD (Salmon Population Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time step: Weekly

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Estimating salmonid fish production as it varies with flow and temperature in a specific river reach.

Inputs: Number of spawning adults, flow, water temperature, habitat and flow relationships, habitat area and 

locations to characterize streams.
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 63

Outputs: Number and biomass of various life stages of samonids, stream location, mortality and causes of 

developing fish, number and biomass of outmigrants

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: USFWS/USGS FORT

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Bureau of Land Management, Hoopa, 

Karuk and Yurok Tribes, USGS, Consultants

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Klamath, Sacramento, Trinity and Poudre Rivers 

Reports and journal articles can be found by Google search

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? YES

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User, through download from USGS FORT website

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None – public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: The fish production model was developed for the Trinity 

River Adaptive Management process, but has or is being applied in other rivers including the Klamath and the 

Sacramento. 

Model Name: SalReP (Salmon Restoration Planning Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One Model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Step: Daily

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National
64 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Managing stream temperatures for fisheries restoration efforts

Inputs: Flow, temperature, meteorological conditions

Outputs: Flow and temperature

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: USGS FORT

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: This modeling tool is specific to the Klamath River reaches between 3 hydropower dams or reservoirs 

(J.C. Boyle Dam and Copco Reserovir; Copco Dam and Iron Gate Reservoir). The model is in development.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? YES

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? No

Off-the-shelf availability? No

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: None

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Beta test version of the model and documentation are 

available from USGS FORT on CD by request.

Model Name: SEDMOD (Mixed-Size Sediment Transport Model for Networks)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 65

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: A mathematical model for predicting the transport of mixed sizes of sediment by flow in networks of onedimensional open channels

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_Math_mod/OpModels/download.htm

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/wri/wri20014054

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: SEM (Structural Equation Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time
66 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): all

Purpose: data analysis

Inputs: variance covariance matrices

Outputs: multivariate models

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation: numerous

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Emap, published ecological studies.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Bruce Pugesek 

bpugesek@usgs.gov

406-994-6144

Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

1648 S. 7th St., MSU

Bozeman, MT 59717

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User

URL to access model: Various vendors: EQS, MPlus, SAS, LISREL

License Fees: Yes

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 67

Model Name: SI3D (Semi-Implicit, 3D Model for Estuarine Circulation)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Will run on all platforms

Purpose: Simulates 3D flows in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, estuaries using a finite-difference, semi-implicit, 

leapfrog-trapezoidal numerical scheme.

Inputs: Bathymetry, boundary conditions, model parameters, wind

Outputs: Three components of velocity, water density, and salinity (if needed) at each model computational cell. A 

particle tracking code is also available, programmed in Java

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Minimum cell dimension is 1 meter

Developer/Affiliation: Peter E. Smith, USGS (retired)

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): University of California Davis, 

Stanford University, Cornell University, University of Granda (Spain)

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: San Francisco Bay; Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, CA; Lake Tahoe, CA; Clear Lake, CA; Mono 

Lake, CA; Lake Erie; NY; other lakes

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Support is somewhat limited because developer 

has retired from USGS; He can still be reached at his USGS contact information below

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Peter E. Smith

pesmith@usgs.gov or pesmith07@comcast.net

916-278-3125

6000 J Street, Placer Hall

Sacramento, CA 95819-2605

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes
68 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1004/

http://www.sjrtmdl.org/technical/modeling/stanford_model.pdf

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Model pre- and post processing is done with Java 

software called Gr (see: http://ca.water.usgs.gov/program/sfbay/gr/). A 3D particle tracking code is also available.

Model Name: SIAM (Systems Impact Assessment Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

This decision support system has three component models, a water balance model (MODSIM), a water quality 

model (HEC-5Q) and a fish production model (SALMOD)

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time: MODSIM = Monthly

 HEC-5Q = Daily

 SALMOD = Weekly

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Evaluation and comparison of alternative water management scenarios

Inputs: Inflows to reservoirs, reservoir storage, meteorological conditions, water temperature, number of spawning 

salmon, habitat (weighted usable area) as it varies with flow for various life stages of salmonids

Outputs: Reservoir storage and water surface elevation, stream flows, fish production, mortality rates and partitioning 

among various causes, number and biomass of outmigrants from river reach

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: SIAM – USGS FORT; MODSIM – Colorado State University; HEC-5Q – U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers; SALMOD – USFWS/USGS FORT.

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): 

USGS; USFWS – California; Hoopa, Yurok, and Karuk Tribes; NOAA, Utah State University

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 69

Examples: Klamath River from Upper Klamath Lake, OR downstream to the Pacific Ocean. Being used as part of 

Klamath Hydropower relicensing and by the Klamath Settlement Negotiations Work Group. 

Bartholow, J.M. 2005. Recent Water Temperature Trends in the Lower Klamath River, California. North American 

Journal of Fisheries Management 25(1): 152–162.

Flug, M. and S.G. Campbell. 2003. Drought Allocation Modeling For the Klamath River. In: 2nd International 

Water Congress: Watershed Management for Water Supply Systems; CD ROM format, American Water Resources 

Association (AWRA), New York, NY. June 29 - July 3, 2003. 6 pp. 

Bartholow, J., S.G. Campbell, and M. Flug. 2004. Predicting the Thermal Effects of Dam Removal on the Klamath 

River. Environmental Management, Vol. 34, No. 6, Dec., pp. 856-874. 

Flug, M. and S.G. Campbell. 2005. Drought Allocations Using the Systems Impact Assessment Model: Klamath 

River. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, ASCE, Vol. 131, No. 2, Mar./Apr., pp. 110-115.

Campbell, S.G., R.B. Hanna, M. Flug, and J.F. Scott. 2001. Modeling Klamath River System Operations for 

Quantity and Quality. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, Vol. 127, No. 5, pp 284-294.

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Yes

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes, available for download from USGS FORT website along with documentation

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User – through download

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None – public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: This model was designed as a decision support system to 

allow resource managers to evaluate water management alternatives affecting fall Chinook salmon populations in the 

Klamath River below 4 hydropower dams. The model simulates flow, reservoir storage and water surface elevations, 

water temperature and fish production values. The model currently has a 45 year period of record for historical flow 

and both water and air temperature. 

Model Name: SNTEMP (Stream Network Temperature Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One Model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time Step: Daily

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations
70 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): DOS

Purpose: Simulation stream water temperatures

Inputs: Flow, meteorological conditions, temperature

Outputs: Stream temperature

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: NA

Developer/Affiliation: USFWS/USGS FORT

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Widely used by many organizations

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Trinity, Klamath Rivers among many others.

Anderson, C.W., and Carpenter, K.D., 1998, Water quality and algal conditions in the North Umpqua River Basin, 

Oregon, 1992-95, and implications for resource management. USGS Water Resources Investigations Report 98-

4125. 95 pp. 

Bartholow, J.M. 2002. SNTEMP (In)Frequently Asked Questions. 

Bartholow, J.M. 2002. Modeling Uncertainty: Quicksand For Water Temperature Modeling. 

Bartholow, J.M. 2000. The Stream Segment and Stream Network Temperature Models: A Self-Study Course, Version 

2.0. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 99-112. 276 pp. 

Bartholow, J.M., 2000, Estimating cumulative effects of clearcutting on stream temperatures, Rivers, 7(4), 284-297. 

Bartholow, J.M. 1993. Sensitivity of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Stream Network Temperature Model. Pages 

247-257 in Morel-Seytoux, ed., Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual American Geophysical Union Hydrology 

Days. Fort Collins, CO. 

Bartholow, J.M. 1991. A modeling assessment of the thermal regime for an urban sport fishery. Environmental 

Management. 15(6):833-845. 

Bartholow, J.M. 1990. Stream temperature model. Pages IV-20 to IV-47 in W.S. Platts ed. Managing Fisheries and 

Wildlife on Rangelands Grazed by Livestock: A guidance and reference document for biologists. W.S. Platts and 

Assoc. for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. December, 1990. v.p. 

Bartholow, J.M. 1989. Stream temperature investigations: field and analytic methods. Instream Flow Information 

Paper No. 13. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 89(17). 139 pp. 

Bartholow, J.M., J.L. Laake, C.B. Stalnaker, and S.C. Williamson. 1993. A salmonid population model with 

emphasis on habitat limitations. Rivers 4(4).
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 71

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? NO

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? User, through download from USGS FORT website

URL to access model: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Software/

License Fees: None – public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: John Bartholow, USGS FORT is retired and support for 

this model is very limited.

Model Name: SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed Attributes)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Uses spatially referenced regressions of contaminant transport on watershed attributes to support regional 

water-quality assessment goals.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?
72 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/sparrow-mod.html

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: SToRM (System for Transport and River Modeling)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

This is a single model, but it is distributed as part of a graphical user interface, MD_SWMS, that contains other 

models.

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: river flow modeling, including flood plains and watersheds

Inputs: bathymetry with corresponding skin roughness coefficients, wind, flow discharge, and river stage

Outputs: flow depths and velocities

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: millimiters to kilometers

Developer/Affiliation: USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory, 4620 Technology Drive, Suite 

400, Golden, CO 80403

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers): Program is under development, 

with first training course and subsequent distribution scheduled for last week in April
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 73

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Flint River, GA; Trinity River (Northern California)

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Yes

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Francisco J.M. Simões, USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory, 4620 Technology Drive, Suite 

400, Golden, CO 80403, Ph. (303)278-7956, frsimoes@usgs.gov

Public Use? Yes

Off-the-shelf availability? Yes

Does the model reside with the Developer or User?

URL to access model: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/gstl/

License Fees: None

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: SToRM is a 2D depth-averaged model. It uses an 

unstructured grid (triangles), and it includes steady state and time dependent capabilities. SToRM was specially 

developed for river flows with flood plains and it incorporates an overland flow algorithm, which means that it can 

be used at the watershed scale. It can deal with supercritical flows, regime transitions (e.g., hydraulic jumps), has 

wetting and drying capabilities, can model flood inundation over dry or wet areas, flow through vegetation, and 

it also includes wind-driven effects. The model is distributed as part of a larger package, MD_SWMS, which is a 

graphical user interface for data pre- and post-processing. MD_SWMS also incorporates other models, such as the 

FASTMECH model.

Model Name: StreamStats

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Web-based tool that allows users to obtain streamflow statistics and basin characteristics.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
74 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Kernell Ries, USGS (kries@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: SWIFT2D (Surface-Water Integrated Flow and Transport 2D Model)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulation of 2D flow and constituent transport in vertically well-mixed estuaries, tidal embayments, 

and inland waterways using finite-difference methods. Water-quality computations can treat reactive and (or) 

conservative constituents simultaneously.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 75

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2005/tm6b1/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: SWSTAT (Surface Water Statistics)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Contains a number of options for statistically analyzing time-series data.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
76 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/SWSTAT/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: TRIMR2D (Transient Inundation Model for Rivers - 2 Dimensional)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulates flow in a channel and/or floodplain using a structured grid, semi-implicit, semi-Lagrangian, 

finite-difference, and depth averaged for steady and unsteady flows.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 77

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr03371/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: 

Model Name: UNTRIM (Unstructured, Tidal, Residual, and Intertidal Mudflat)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Simulates flow in a channel and/or floodplain using an unstructured grid, semi-implicit, semi-Lagrangian, 

finite-difference, and depth averaged for steady and unsteady flows.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
78 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: VPV (The Velocity Profile Viewer)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Visualizing time series of velocity profiles

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 79

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

John Donovan, USGS (jmd@usgs.gov)

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: http://ca.water.usgs.gov/program/sfbay/vpv/

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Model Name: WRRAT (Wood River Resource Analysis Tool)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

One model

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models: Model is areal – it is a land use 

model.

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation Areal

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX): Windows

Purpose: Estimating cost/benefits of various best management practices for nutrient loading reduction.

Inputs: Land parcels, stream corridors, BMP costs

Outputs: Relative nutrient loading index, costs for BMP implementation and maintainence

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions: Land parcel
80 USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?

Developer/Affiliation: USGS FORT

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

None – model is still in development. Future users may include the Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust and Wood River 

Valley Ranchers Association members

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: Wood River Valley, Oregon

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current? Yes

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

USGS-FORT, Sharon Campbell, campbells@usgs.gov, 970-226-9331

Public Use? No

Off-the-shelf availability? No

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? Developer

URL to access model: None

License Fees: None – model will be in the public domain

Other important model characteristics and model linkages: Beta test version of model and documentation is 

available on CD from USGS FORT contact upon request.

Model Name: WSPRO (Water-Surface PROfile Computations)

Is this one model or a suite of interrelated models? If a suite, list the name of each model:

Dimensions, list planes for 1D to Quasi-3D, and time step(s) for interrelated models:

1D Quasi-2D 2D Quasi-3D 3D Time

Color code all that apply:

1) Digital Conceptual Physical

2) Steady State Dynamic Conditions Statistical Simulation

3) Heuristic Decision-making Planning Operations

4) Cross-Section River Reach Sub-watershed Watershed State Region National

Platform Used (e.g., Windows, Mac, UNIX):

Purpose: Computes water-surface profiles for subcritical, critical, or supercritical flow as long as the flow can be 

reasonably classified as one-dimensional, gradually-varied, steady flow.

Inputs:

Outputs:

Output Format Accessible by: Microsoft Windows Office Environment Yes or No 

 ESRI ArcGIS Suite Yes or No
Appendix 5. Model Summary Sheets 81

Spatial Extent of Solution and Minimum Mapping Unit or Cell Dimensions:

Developer/Affiliation:

Current Users (If many, list groups e.g., X District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers):

Applied at what geographic locations, if many locations, provide broad example. Also, what publications/court 

cases/Environmental Impact Statements used this model?

Examples: 

Supported at what location and by whom. Also, is support current?

(contact name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address)

Jorge Pagan, FHWY (jorge.pagan@fhwa.dot.gov) 

Public Use?

Off-the-shelf availability? 

Does the model reside with the Developer or User? 

URL to access model: h2osoft@usgs.gov

http://water.usgs.gov/software/WSPRO/

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/software/wsproman.pdf

License Fees: 

Other important model characteristics and model linkages:

Publishing support provided by: 

Denver Publishing Service Center

For more information concerning this publication, contact:

Center Director, USGS Fort Collins Science Center

2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8118

(970)226-9398

Or visit the Fort Collins Science Center Web site at:

http://www.fort.usgs.gov/
Hanson and others—USGS River Ecosystem Modeling: Where Are We, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going? —Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5018