Section 7: Main Channel Processes

Flow in a watershed is classified as overland or channelized. The primary difference between the two flow processes is that water storage and its influence on flow rates is considered in channelized flow. Main channel processes modeled by SWAT+ include the movement of water, sediment and other constituents (e.g. nutrients, pesticides) in the stream network, in-stream nutrient cycling, and in-stream pesticide transformations. Optional processes include the change in channel dimensions with time due to downcutting and widening.