SWAT+ Documentation
  • INTRODUCTION
    • Introduction to SWAT+
    • Watershed Configuration
      • Spatial Objects
    • Calibration
  • SWAT+ Input Files
    • Input File Format
    • Master File (file.cio)
    • Simulation Settings
      • object.cnt
      • time.sim
        • day_start
        • yrc_start
        • day_end
        • yrc_end
        • step
      • print.prt
        • nyskip
        • interval
        • aa_int_cnt
        • hydcon
        • object
      • object.prt
        • obj_typ
        • obj_typ_no
        • hyd_typ
    • Climate
      • weather-sta.cli
        • name (weather_sta.cli)
        • wgn
        • pcp
        • tmp
        • slr
        • hmd
        • wnd
        • pet
        • atmo_dep
      • weather-wgn.cli
        • name (weather_wgn.cli)
        • yrs_pcp
        • tmp_max_ave
        • tmp_min_ave
        • tmp_max_sd
        • tmp_min_sd
        • pcp_ave
        • pcp_sd
        • pcp_skew
        • wet_dry
        • wet_wet
        • pcp_days
        • pcp_hhr
        • slr_ave
        • dew_ave
        • wnd_ave
      • pcp.cli and pcp data files
      • tmp.cli and tmp data files
      • hmd.cli and hmd data files
      • slr.cli and slr data files
      • wnd.cli and wnd data files
      • atmo.cli
        • timestep
        • num_aa
    • Basin
      • codes.bsn
        • pet
        • crack
        • swift_out
        • rte_cha
        • nostress
        • carbon
        • lapse
        • uhyd
        • tiledrain
        • wtable
        • soil_p
        • gampt
        • qual2e
        • gwflow
      • parameters.bsn
        • sw_init
        • surq_lag
        • adj_pkrt
        • prf
        • orgn_min
        • n_uptake
        • p_uptake
        • n_perc
        • p_perc
        • p_soil
        • p_avail
        • rsd_decomp
        • pest_perc
        • msk_co1
        • msk_co2
        • msk_x
        • nperco_lchtile
        • evap_adj
        • denit_exp
        • denit_frac
        • adj_uhyd
        • cn_froz
        • dorm_hr
        • plaps
        • tlaps
        • n_fix_max
        • rsd_decay
        • urb_init_abst
        • uhyd_alpha
        • splash
        • rill
        • surq_exp
        • cov_mgt
        • co2
    • Landscape Units
      • ls_unit.def
        • id (ls_unit.def)
        • name (ls_unit.def)
        • elem_tot
        • elements
      • ls_unit.ele
        • id (ls_unit.ele)
        • name (ls_unit.ele)
        • obj_typ
        • obj_typ_no
        • bsn_frac
    • Routing Units
      • rout_unit.rtu
        • id (rout_unit.rtu)
        • name (rout_unit.rtu)
        • define
        • topo
        • field
      • rout_unit.def
        • id (rout_unit.def)
        • name (rout_unit.def)
        • elem_tot
        • elements
      • rout_unit.ele
        • id (rout_unit.ele)
        • name (rout_uni.ele)
        • obj_typ
        • obj_id
    • Hydrologic Response Units
      • hru-data.hru
        • id (hru-data.hru)
        • name (hru-data.hru)
        • topo
        • hydro
        • soil
        • lu_mgt
        • soil_plant_init
        • surf_stor
        • snow
        • field
      • hru-lte.hru
        • id (hru-lte.hru)
        • name (hru-lte.hru)
        • area
        • cn2
        • cn3_swf
        • t_conc
        • soil_dp
        • perco_co
        • slp
        • slp_len
        • et_co
        • aqu_sp_yld
        • alpha_bf
        • revap
        • rchg_dp
        • sw_init
        • aqu_init
        • aqu_sh_flo
        • aqu_dp_flo
        • snow_h2o
        • lat
        • soil_text
        • trop_flag
        • grow_start
        • grow_end
        • plnt_typ
        • stress
        • pet_flag
        • irr_flag
        • irr_src
        • t_drain
        • usle_k
        • usle_c
        • usle_p
        • usle_ls
    • Hydrology
      • topography.hyd
        • name (topography.hyd)
        • slp
        • slp_len
        • lat_len
        • depos
      • hydrology.hyd
        • name (hydrology.hyd)
        • lat_time
        • lat_sed
        • can_max
        • esco
        • epco
        • orgn_enrich
        • orgp_enrich
        • cn3_swf
        • bio_mix
        • perco
        • lat_orgn
        • lat_orgp
        • pet_co
        • latq_co
      • snow.sno
        • name (snow.sno)
        • fall_tmp
        • melt_tmp
        • melt_max
        • melt_min
        • tmp_lag
        • snow_h2o
        • cov50
        • snow_init
      • field.fld
        • name (field.fld)
        • len
        • wd
    • Soils
      • soils.sol
        • name (soils.sol)
        • hyd_grp
        • dp_tot
        • anion_excl
        • perc_crk
        • texture
        • bd
        • awc
        • soil_k
        • carbon
        • clay
        • silt
        • sand
        • rock
        • alb
        • usle_k
        • ec
        • caco3
        • ph
      • nutrients.sol
        • name (nutrients.sol)
        • exp_co
        • lab_p
        • nitrate
        • fr_hum_act
        • hum_c_n
        • hum_c_p
    • Landuse and Management
      • landuse.lum
        • name (landuse.lum)
        • cal_grp
        • plnt_com
        • mgt
        • cn2
        • cons_prac
        • urban
        • urb_ro
        • ov_mann
        • tile
        • sep
        • vfs
        • grww
        • bmp
      • plant.ini
        • name (plant.ini)
        • plnt_cnt
        • rot_yr_ini
        • plnt_name
        • lc_status
        • lai_init
        • bm_init
        • phu_init
        • plnt_pop
        • yrs_init
        • rsd_init
      • management.sch
        • name (management.sch)
        • op_typ
        • op_data1
        • op_data2
        • op_data3
      • cntable.lum
        • name (cntable.lum)
        • cn_a
        • cn_b
        • cn_c
        • cn_d
      • cons_practice.lum
        • name (cons_practice.lum)
        • usle_p
        • slp_len_max
      • ovn_table.lum
        • name (ovn_table.lum)
        • ovn_mean
        • ovn_min
        • ovn_max
    • Decision Tables
      • "name".dtl
        • var
        • obj
        • obj_num
        • lim_var
        • lim_op
        • lim_const
        • alt
        • act_typ
        • obj
        • obj_num
        • name
        • option
        • const
        • const2
        • fp
        • outcome
    • Management Practices
      • harv.ops
        • name (harv.ops)
        • harv_typ
        • harv_idx
        • harv_eff
        • harv_bm_min
      • graze.ops
        • name (graze.ops)
        • fertname
        • bm_eat
        • bm_tramp
        • man_amt
        • grz_bm_min
      • irr.ops
        • name (irr.ops)
        • irr_eff
        • surq_rto
        • irr_amt
        • irr_dep
        • irr_salt
        • irr_no3n
        • irr_po4
      • chem_app.ops
        • name (chem_app.ops)
        • app_eff
        • inject_dp
        • surf_frac
      • fire.ops
        • name (fire.ops)
        • chg_cn2
        • frac_burn
      • sweep.ops
        • name (sweep.ops)
        • swp_eff
        • frac_curb
    • Structural Practices
      • tiledrain.str
        • name (tiledrain.str)
        • dp
        • t_fc
        • lag
        • rad
        • dist
        • drain
        • pump
        • lat_ksat
      • filterstrip.str
        • name (filterstrip.str)
        • fld_vfs
        • con_vfs
        • cha_q
      • grassedww.str
        • name (grassedww.str)
        • mann
        • sed_co
        • dp
        • wd
        • len
        • slp
      • bmpuser.str
        • name (bmpuser.str)
        • sed_eff
        • ptlp_eff
        • solp_eff
        • ptln_eff
        • soln_eff
        • bact_eff
      • septic.str
        • name (septic.str)
        • typ
        • yr
        • operation
        • residents
        • area
        • t_fail
        • dp_bioz
        • thk_bioz
        • cha_dist
        • sep_dens
        • bm_dens
        • bod_decay
        • bod_conv
        • fc_lin
        • fc_exp
        • fecal_decay
        • tds_conv
        • mort
        • resp
        • slough1
        • slough2
        • nit
        • denit
        • p_sorp
        • p_sorp_max
        • solp_slp
        • solp_int
    • Databases
      • plants.plt
        • name (plants.plt)
        • plnt_typ
        • gro_trig
        • nfix_co
        • days_mat
        • bm_e
        • harv_idx
        • lai_pot
        • frac_hu1
        • lai_max1
        • frac_hu2
        • lai_max2
        • hu_lai_decl
        • dlai_rate
        • can_ht_max
        • rt_dp_max
        • tmp_opt
        • tmp_base
        • frac_n_yld
        • frac_p_yld
        • frac_n_em
        • frac_n_50
        • frac_n_mat
        • frac_p_em
        • frac_p_50
        • frac_p_mat
        • harv_idx_ws
        • usle_c_min
        • stcon_max
        • vpd
        • frac_stcon
        • ru_vpd
        • co2_hi
        • bm_e_hi
        • plnt_decomp
        • lai_min
        • bm_tree_acc
        • yrs_mat
        • bm_tree_max
        • ext_co
        • leaf_tov_min
        • leaf_tov_max
        • bm_dieoff
        • rt_st_beg
        • rt_st_end
        • plnt_pop1
        • frac_lai1
        • plnt_pop2
        • frac_lai2
        • frac_sw_gro
        • aeration
        • rsd_pctcov
        • rsd_covfac
      • urban.urb
        • name (urban.urb)
        • frac_imp
        • frac_dc_imp
        • curb_den
        • urb_wash
        • dirt_max
        • t_halfmax
        • conc_totn
        • conc_totp
        • conc_no3
        • urb_cn
      • tillage.til
        • name (tillage.til)
        • mix_eff
        • mix_dp
      • fertilizer.frt
        • name (fertilizer.frt)
        • min_n
        • min_p
        • org_n
        • org_p
        • nh3_n
      • pesticide.pes
        • name (pesticide.pes)
        • soil_ads
        • frac_wash
        • hl_foliage
        • hl_soil
        • solub
        • aq_reac
        • aq_volat
        • mol_wt
        • aq_resus
        • aq_settle
        • ben_act_dep
        • ben_bury
        • ben_reac
      • septic.sep
        • name (septic.sep)
        • q_rate
        • bod
        • tss
        • nh4_n
        • no3_n
        • no2_n
        • org_n
        • min_p
        • org_p
        • fcoli
    • Aquifers
      • aquifer.aqu
        • id (aquifer.aqu)
        • name (aquifer.aqu)
        • aqu_init
        • gw_flo
        • dep_bot
        • dep_wt
        • no3_n
        • sol_p
        • carbon
        • flo_dist
        • flo_max
        • alpha_bf
        • revap
        • rchg_dp
        • spec_yld
        • hl_no3n
        • flo_min
        • revap_min
      • initial.aqu
        • name (initial.aqu)
        • org_min
        • pest
        • path
        • hmet
        • salt
    • GWFlow
    • Channels
      • channel-lte.cha
        • id (channel-lte.cha)
        • name (channel-lte.cha)
        • ini
        • hyd
        • nut
      • initial.cha
        • name (initial.cha)
        • org_min
        • pest
        • salt
      • hyd-sed-lte.cha
        • name (hyd-sed-lte.cha)
        • wd
        • dp
        • slp
        • len
        • mann
        • k
        • erod_fact
        • cov_fact
        • sinu
        • eq_slp
        • d50
        • clay
        • carbon
        • dry_bd
        • side_slp
        • bed_load
        • fps
        • fpn
        • n_conc
        • p_conc
        • p_bio
      • nutrients.cha
        • name (nutrients.cha)
        • plt_n
        • plt_p
        • alg_stl
        • ben_disp
        • ben_nh3n
        • ptln_stl
        • ptlp_stl
        • cst_stl
        • ben_cst
        • cbn_bod_co
        • air_rt
        • cbn_bod_stl
        • ben_bod
        • bact_die
        • cst_decay
        • nh3n_no2n
        • no2n_no3n
        • ptln_nh3n
        • ptlp_solp
        • q2e_lt
        • q2e_alg
        • chla_alg
        • alg_n
        • alg_p
        • alg_o2_prod
        • alg_o2_resp
        • o2_nh3n
        • o2_no2n
        • alg_grow
        • alg_resp
        • slr_act
        • lt_co
        • const_n
        • const_p
        • lt_nonalg
        • alg_shd_l
        • alg_shd_nl
        • nh3_pref
    • Reservoirs and Ponds
      • reservoir.res
        • id (reservoir.res)
        • name (reservoir.res)
        • init
        • hyd
        • rel
        • sed
        • nut
      • initial.res
        • name (initial.res)
        • org_min
        • pest
        • salt
      • hydrology.res
        • name (hydrology.res)
        • yr_op
        • mon_op
        • area_ps
        • vol_ps
        • area_es
        • vol_es
        • k
        • evap_co
        • shp_co1
        • shp_co2
      • sediment.res
        • name (sediment.res)
        • nsed
        • d50
        • carbon
        • bd
        • sed_stl
        • stl_vel
      • nutrients.res
        • name (nutrients.res)
        • mid_start
        • mid_end
        • mid_n_stl
        • n_stl
        • mid_p_stl
        • p_stl
        • chla_co
        • secchi_co
        • theta_n
        • theta_p
        • n_min_stl
        • p_min_stl
      • weir.res
        • name (weir.res)
        • linear_c
        • exp_k
        • width
        • height
    • Wetlands
      • wetland.wet
        • id (wetland.wet)
        • name (wetland.wet)
        • init
        • hyd
        • rel
        • sed
        • nut
      • hydrology.wet
        • name (hydrology.wet)
        • hru_ps
        • dp_ps
        • hru_es
        • dp_es
        • k
        • evap
        • vol_area_co
        • vol_dp_a
        • vol_dp_b
        • hru_frac
    • Initialization
      • soil_plant.ini
        • name (soil_plant.ini)
        • sw_frac
        • nutrients
        • pest
        • salt
      • om_water.ini
        • name (om_water.ini)
        • vol
        • sed
        • part_n
        • part_p
        • no3
        • solp
        • chl_a
        • nh3
        • no2
        • cbn_bod
        • dis_ox
        • sand
        • silt
        • clay
        • sm_ag
        • l_ag
        • gvl
        • tmp
      • pest_water.ini
      • pest_hru.ini
      • salt_water.ini
      • salt_hru.ini
    • Constituents
      • constituents.cs
    • Point Sources and Inlets
      • recall.rec
        • id (recall.rec)
        • rec_typ
        • file
      • 'filename'.rec
    • Connectivity
      • 'object'.con
        • id
        • name
        • gis_id
        • area
        • lat
        • lon
        • elev
        • 'obj'
        • wst
        • cst
        • ovfl
        • rule
        • out_tot
        • obj_typ
        • obj_id
        • hyd_typ
        • frac
      • aqu_cha.lin
      • chan_surf.lin
    • Water Allocation
      • water_allocation.wro
        • rule_typ
        • cha_ob
        • ob_typ (source)
        • limit_mon
        • ob_typ (demand)
        • withdr
        • amount
        • right
        • rcv_ob
        • rcv_num
        • srcs
        • src
        • frac
        • comp
    • Calibration
      • codes.sft
      • wb_parms.sft
      • water_balance.sft
      • cal_parms.cal
      • calibration.cal
  • SWAT+ Output Files
    • Output File Format
    • Debugging Outputs
    • Soil
    • Management
    • Flow Duration Curve
    • Water Balance
    • Nutrient Balance
    • Losses
    • Plant and Weather
    • Channel
    • Aquifer
    • Reservoir
    • Recall
    • Hydrographs
    • Routing Unit
    • Pesticides
    • Object Outputs
  • Theoretical Documentation
    • ☁️Section 1: Climate
      • 🟰Chapter 1:1 Equations: Energy
        • ☀️1:1.1 Sun-Earth Relationships
          • 1:1.1.1 Distance between Earth and Sun
          • 1:1.1.2 Solar Declination
          • 🌄1:1.1.3 Solar Noon, Sunrise, Sunset, and Daylength
        • 1:1.2 Solar Radiation
          • 👽1:1.2.1 Extraterrestrial Radiation
          • 1:1.2.2 Solar Radiation under Cloudless Skies
          • 1:1.2.3 Daily Solar Radiation
          • 1:1.2.4 Hourly Solar Radiation
          • 1:1.2.5 Daily Net Radiation
        • 1:1.3 Temperature
          • 1:1.3.1 Daily Air Temperature
          • 1:1.3.2 Hourly Air Temperature
          • 1:1.3.3 Soil Temperature
          • 1:1.3.4 Water Temperature
        • 1:1:4 Wind Speed
      • Chapter 1:2 Atmospheric Water
        • 1:2.1 Precipitation
        • 1:2.2 Maximum Half-Hour Rainfall
        • 1:2.3 Water Vapor
        • 1:2.4 Snow Cover
        • 1:2.5 Snow Melt
          • 1:2.5.1 Snow Pack Temperature
            • Snow Melt Equation
      • Chapter 1:3 Weather Generator
        • 1:3.1 Precipitation
          • 1:3.1.1 Occurrence of Wet or Dry Day
          • 1:3.1.2 Amount of Precipitation
        • 1:3.2 Maximum Half-Hour Rainfall
          • 1:3.2.1 Monthly Maximum Half-Hour Rain
          • 1:3.2.2 Daily Maximum Half-Hour Rain Value
        • 1:3.3 Distribution of Rainfall Within Day
          • 1:3.3.1 Normalized Intensity Distribution
          • 1:3.3.2 Generated Time to Peak Intensity
          • 1:3.3.3 Total Rainfall and Duration
        • 1:3.4 Solar Radiation & Temperature
          • 1:3.4.1 Daily Residuals
          • 1:3.4.2 Generated Values
          • 1:3.4.3 Adjustment for Clear/Overcast Conditions
            • Maximum Temperature
            • Solar Radiation
        • 1:3.5 Relative Humidity
          • 1:3.5.1 Mean Monthly Relative Humidity
          • 1:3.5.2 Generated Daily Value
          • 1:3.5.3 Adjustment for Clear/Overcast Conditions
        • 1:3.6 Wind Speed
      • Chapter 1:4 Climate Customization
        • 1:4.1 Elevation Bands
        • 1:4.2 Climate Change
    • Section 2: Hydrology
      • Surface Runoff
        • Runoff Volume: SCS Curve Number Procedure
        • SCS Curve Number
        • Soil Hydrologic Groups
        • Antecedent Soil Moisture Condition
        • Retention Parameter
        • Slope Adjustments
        • Runoff Volume: Green & Ampt Infiltration Method
        • Peak Runoff Rate
        • Time of Concentration
          • Overland Flow Time of Concentration
          • Channel Flow Time of Concentration
        • Runoff Coefficient
        • Rainfall Intensity
        • Modified Rational Formula
        • Surface Runoff Lag
        • Transmission Losses
      • Chapter 2:2 Evapotranspiration
        • 2:2.1 Canopy Storage
        • 2:2.2 Potential Evapotranspiration
          • 2:2.2.1 Penman-Monteith Method
            • Soil Heat Flux
            • Aerodynamic Resistance
            • Canopy Resistance
            • Combined Term
          • 2:2.2.2 Priestley-Taylor Method
          • 2:2.2.3 Hargreaves Method
          • 2:2.2.4 Reading Measured or Estimated PET
        • 2:2.3 Actual Evapotranspiration
          • 2:2.3.1 Evaporation of Intercepted Rainfall
          • 2:2.3.2 Transpiration
          • 2:2.3.3 Sublimation and Evaporation from the Soil
            • Sublimation
            • Soil Water Evaporation
          • 2:2.3.4 Evaporation from Ponded Water
      • Soil Water
        • Soil Structure
        • Percolation
        • Bypass Flow
        • Perched Water Table
        • Lateral Flow
          • Lateral Flow Lag
      • Groundwater
        • Groundwater Systems
        • Shallow Aquifer
          • Recharge
          • Partitioning of Recharge Between Shallow and Deep Aquifer
          • Groundwater/Base Flow
          • Revap
          • Pumping
          • Groundwater Height
        • Deep Aquifer
    • Section 3: Nutrients/Pesticides
      • Nitrogen
        • Nitrogen Cycle in the Soil
          • Initialization of Soil Nitrogen Levels
        • Mineralization & Decomposition / Immobilization
          • Humus Mineralization
          • Residue Decomposition & Mineralization
        • Nitrification & Ammonia Volatilization
        • Denitrification
        • Atmospheric Deposition
          • Nitrogen in Rainfall
          • Nitrogen Dry Deposition
        • Fixation
        • Upward Movement of Nitrate in Water
        • Leaching
        • Nitrate in the Shallow Aquifer
      • Phosphorus
        • Phosphorus Cycle
          • Initialization of Soil Phosphorus Levels
        • Mineralization & Decomposition / Immobilization
          • Humus Mineralization
          • Residue Decomposition & Mineralization
        • Sorption of Inorganic P
        • Leaching
        • Phosphorus in the Shallow Aquifer
      • Pesticides
        • Wash-off
        • Degradation
        • Leaching
      • Bacteria
        • Wash-off
        • Bacteria Die-off/Re-growth
        • Leaching
      • Carbon
        • Sub-model Description
        • Changes from previous version
        • Analytical Solutions
    • Section 4: Erosion
      • Sediment
        • MUSLE
          • Soil Erodibility Factor
          • Cover and Management Factor
          • Support Practice Factor
          • Topographic Factor
          • Coarse Fragment Factor
        • USLE
          • Rainfall Erodibility Index
        • Snow Cover Effects
        • Sediment Lag in Surface Runoff
        • Sediment in Lateral & Groundwater Flow
      • Nutrient Transport
        • Nitrate Movement
        • Organic N in Surface Runoff
          • Enrichment Ratio
        • Soluble Phosphorus Movement
        • Organic & Mineral P Attached to Sediment in Surface Runoff
          • Enrichment Ratio
        • Nutrient Lag in Surface Runoff and Lateral Flow
      • Pesticide Transport
        • Phase Distribution of Pesticide
        • Movement of Soluble Pesticide
        • Transport of Sorbed Pesticide
          • Enrichment Ratio
        • Pesticide Lag in Surface Runoff and Lateral Flow
      • Bacteria Transport
        • Bacteria in Surface Runoff
        • Bacteria Attached to Sediment in Surface Runoff
          • Enrichment Ratio
        • Bacteria Lag in Surface Runoff
      • Water Quality Parameters
        • Algae
        • Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand
          • Enrichment Ratio
        • Dissolved Oxygen
          • Oxygen Saturation Concentration
    • Section 5: Land Cover/Plant
      • Growth Cycle
        • Heat Units
          • Heat Unit Scheduling
        • Dormancy
        • Plant Types
      • Optimal Growth
        • Potential Growth
          • Biomass Production
            • Impact of Climate on Radiation-Use Efficiency
            • Modification of Biomass Calculation for Trees
          • Canopy Cover and Height
          • Root Development
          • Maturity
        • Water Uptake by Plants
          • Impact of Low Soil Water Content
          • Actual Water Uptake
        • Nutrient Uptake by Plants
          • Nitrogen Uptake
            • Nitrogen Fixation
          • Phosphorus Uptake
        • Crop Yield
      • Actual Growth
        • Growth Constraints
          • Water Stress
          • Temperature Stress
          • Nitrogen Stress
          • Phosphorus Stress
        • Actual Growth
          • Biomass Override
        • Actual Yield
          • Harvest Index Override
          • Harvest Efficiency
    • Section 6: Management Practices
      • General Management
        • Planting/Beginning of Growing Season
        • Harvest Operation
        • Grazing Operation
        • Harvest & Kill Operation
        • Kill/End of Growing Season
        • Tillage
          • Biological Mixing
        • Fertilizer Application
        • Auto-Application of Fertilizer
        • Continuous Application of Fertilizer
        • Pesticide Application
      • Water Management
        • Irrigation
          • Manual Application of Irrigation
          • Auto-Application of Irrigation
        • Tile Drainage
        • Impounded/Depressional Areas
        • Water Transfer
        • Consumptive Water Use
        • Point Source Loadings
      • Urban Areas
        • Characteristics of Urban Areas
        • Surface Runoff from Urban Areas
        • USGS Regression Equations
        • Build Up/Wash Off
          • Street Cleaning
      • Septic Systems
        • Biozone Algorithm
          • Buildup of Live Bacterial Biomass
          • Fate and Transport of Bacterial Biomass
          • Field Capacity
          • Clogging Effect on Hydraulic Conductivity
          • Soil Moisture and Percolation
          • Nitrogen, BOD, Fecal Coliform
          • Phosphorus Removal
          • Model Assumptions
        • Integration of Biozone Algorithm
          • Simulating Active and Failing Systems
      • Filter Strips and Grassed Waterways
        • Filter Strips
          • Empirical Model Development
          • Sediment Reduction Model
          • Nutrient Reduction Models
            • Total Nitrogen
            • Nitrate Nitrogen
            • Total Phosphorus
            • Soluble Phosphorus
          • VFS SWAT+ Model Structure
        • Grassed Waterways
    • Section 7: Main Channel Processes
      • Water Routing
        • Channel Characteristics
        • Flow Rate and Velocity
        • Variable Storage Routing Method
        • Muskingum Routing Method
        • Transmission Losses
        • Evaporation Losses
        • Bank Storage
        • Channel Water Balance
      • Sediment Routing
        • Landscape Contribution to Subbasin Routing Reach
        • Sediment Routing In Stream Channels
          • Simplified Bagnold Equation (Default method)
          • Physics Based Approach for Channel Erosion
        • Channel Erodibility Factor
        • Channel Cover Factor
        • Channel Downcutting and Widening
      • In-Stream Nutrient Processes
        • Algae
          • Chlorophyll a
          • Algal Growth
            • Local Specific Growth Rate of Algae
            • Local Respiration Rate of Algae
            • Local Settling Rate of Algae
        • Nitrogen Cycle
          • Organic Nitrogen
          • Ammonium
          • Nitrite
          • Nitrate
        • Phosphorus Cycle
          • Organic Phosphorus
          • Inorganic/Soluble Phosphorus
        • Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand
        • Oxygen
          • Oxygen Saturation Concentration
          • Reaeration
            • Reaeration By Fickian Diffusion
            • Reaeration By Turbulent Flow Over A Dam
      • In-Stream Pesticide Transformations
        • Pesticide In The Water
          • Solid-Liquid Partitioning
          • Degradation
          • Volatilization
          • Settling
          • Outflow
        • Pesticide In The Sediment
          • Solid-Liquid Partitioning
          • Degradation
          • Resuspension
          • Diffusion
          • Burial
        • Mass Balance
      • Bacteria Routing
        • Bacteria Decay
        • Bacteria Sediment
      • Heavy Metal Routing
    • Section 8: Water Bodies
      • Impoundment Water Routing
        • Reservoirs
          • Surface Area
          • Precipitation
          • Evaporation
          • Seepage
          • Outflow
            • Measured Daily Outflow
            • Measured Monthly Outflow
            • Average Annual Release Rate For Uncontrolled Reservoir
            • Target Release For Controlled Reservoir
        • Ponds/Wetlands
          • Surface Area
          • Precipitation
          • Inflow
          • Evaporation
          • Seepage
          • Outflow
            • Pond Outflow
            • Wetland Outflow
        • Depressions/Potholes
          • Surface Area
          • Precipitation
          • Inflow
          • Evaporation
          • Seepage
          • Outflow
            • Overflow
            • Release Operation
            • Tile Flow
      • Sediment In Water Bodies
        • Mass Balance
        • Settling
        • Sediment Outflow
      • Nutrients In Water Bodies
        • Nutrient Transformations
        • Total Balance
        • Eutrophication
          • Phosphorus/Chlorophyll a Correlations
      • Pesticides In Water Bodies
        • Pesticide In The Water
          • Solid-Liquid Partitioning
          • Degradation
          • Volatilization
          • Settling
          • Outflow
        • Pesticide In The Sediment
          • Solid-Liquid Partitioning
          • Degradation
          • Resuspension
          • Diffusion
          • Burial
        • Mass Balance
      • Bacteria In Water Bodies
        • Bacteria Decay
    • References
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  1. Theoretical Documentation
  2. Section 1: Climate
  3. Chapter 1:1 Equations: Energy
  4. 1:1.2 Solar Radiation

1:1.2.1 Extraterrestrial Radiation

Last updated 3 months ago

The radiant energy from the sun is practically the only source of energy that impacts climatic processes on earth. The solar constant, ISC, is the rate of total solar energy at all wavelengths incident on a unit area exposed normally to rays of the sun at a distance of 1 AU from the sun. Quantifying this value has been the object of numerous studies through the years. The value officially adopted by the Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation in October 1981 is

ISC=1367Wm−2=4.921MJm−2h−1I_{SC} = 1367 W m^{-2} = 4.921 MJm^{-2} h^{-1}ISC​=1367Wm−2=4.921MJm−2h−1

On any given day, the extraterrestrial irradiance (rate of energy) on a surface normal to the rays of the sun, I0nI_{0n}I0n​, is:

I0n=ISCE0I_{0n} = I_{SC}E_0I0n​=ISC​E0​ 1:1.2.1

where E0E_0E0​ is the eccentricity correction factor of the earth's orbit, and I0nI_{0n}I0n​ has the same units as the solar constant, ISCI_{SC}ISC​. To calculate the irradiance on a horizontal surface, ISCI_{SC}ISC​,

To calculate the irradiance on a horizontal surface, I0I_0I0​,

I0=I0ncos⁡θz=ISCE0cos⁡θzI_0 = I_{0n} \cos\theta_z = I_{SC}E_0\cos\theta_zI0​=I0n​cosθz​=ISC​E0​cosθz​ 1:1.2.2

where cosθzcos\theta_zcosθz​, is defined in equation 1:1.1.3.

The amount of energy falling on a horizontal surface during a day is given by

H0=∫SRSSI0dt=2∫0SSI0dtH_0 = \int_{SR}^{SS} I_0dt = 2 \int_0^{SS} I_0dtH0​=∫SRSS​I0​dt=2∫0SS​I0​dt 1:1.2.3

where H0H_0H0​ is the extraterrestrial daily irradiation(MJm−2d−1)(MJ m^{-2} d^{-1})(MJm−2d−1), SRSRSR is sunrise, and SSSSSS is sunset. Assuming that E0E_0E0​ remains constant during the one day time step and converting the time dtdtdt to the hour angle, the equation can be written

H0=24πISCE0∫0ωTSR(sin⁡δsin⁡ϕ+cos⁡δcos⁡ϕcos⁡ωt)dωt H_0 = \frac{24}{\pi} I_{SC}E_0\int_0^{\omega T_{SR} }(\sin\delta \sin\phi+\cos\delta\cos\phi\cos\omega t)d\omega tH0​=π24​ISC​E0​∫0ωTSR​​(sinδsinϕ+cosδcosϕcosωt)dωt 1:1.2.4

or

H0=24πISCE0[ωTSR(sin⁡δsin⁡ϕ+cos⁡δcos⁡ϕsin⁡(ωTSR))] H_0 = \frac{24}{\pi} I_{SC}E_0[{\omega T_{SR} }(\sin\delta \sin\phi+\cos\delta\cos\phi\sin(\omega T_{SR}))]H0​=π24​ISC​E0​[ωTSR​(sinδsinϕ+cosδcosϕsin(ωTSR​))] 1:1.2.5

where ISCI_{SC}ISC​ is the solar constant (4.921 MJm−2h−1MJ m^{-2} h^{-1}MJm−2h−1), E0E_0E0​ is the eccentricity correction factor of the earth's orbit, is the angular velocity of the earth's rotation (0.2618radh−10.2618 rad h^{-1}0.2618radh−1), the hour of sunrise, TSRT_{SR}TSR​, is defined by equation 1:1.1.4, δ is the solar declination in radians, and ϕ\phiϕ is the geographic latitude in radians. Multiplying all the constants together gives

H0=37.59E0[ωTSRsin⁡δsin⁡ϕ+cos⁡δcos⁡ϕsin⁡(ωTSR)] H_0 = 37.59E_0[{\omega T_{SR} }\sin\delta \sin\phi+\cos\delta\cos\phi\sin(\omega T_{SR})]H0​=37.59E0​[ωTSR​sinδsinϕ+cosδcosϕsin(ωTSR​)] 1:1.2.6

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