SWAT+ Documentation
  • 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
      • soil_plant.ini
        • name (soil_plant.ini)
        • sw_frac
        • nutrients
        • pest
        • salt
      • 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
    • Nutrient initialization
      • 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
    • Constituents
      • constituents.cs
      • pest_water.ini
      • pest_hru.ini
      • salt_water.ini
      • salt_hru.ini
    • 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
Powered by GitBook
On this page
Export as PDF
  1. Theoretical Documentation
  2. Section 7: Main Channel Processes
  3. Water Routing

Channel Characteristics

Last updated 3 years ago

SWAT+ assumes the main channels, or reaches, have a trapezoidal shape (Figure 7:1-1).

Users are required to define the width and depth of the channel when filled to the top of the bank as well as the channel length, slope along the channel length and Manning’s “n” value. SWAT+ assumes the channel sides have a 2:1 run to rise ratio (zchz_{ch}zch​ = 2). The slope of the channel sides is then ½ or 0.5. The bottom width is calculated from the bankfullbankfullbankfull width and depth with the equation:

Wbtm=Wbnkfull−2∗zch∗depthbnkfullW_{btm}=W_{bnkfull}-2*z_{ch}*depth_{bnkfull}Wbtm​=Wbnkfull​−2∗zch​∗depthbnkfull​ 7:1.1.1

where WbtmW_{btm}Wbtm​ is the bottom width of the channel (m), WbnkfullW_{bnkfull}Wbnkfull​ is the top width of the channel when filled with water (m), zchz_{ch}zch​ is the inverse of the channel side slope, and depthbnkfulldepth_{bnkfull}depthbnkfull​ is the depth of water in the channel when filled to the top of the bank (m). Because of the assumption that zch=2z_{ch}=2zch​=2, it is possible for the bottom width calculated with equation 7:1.1.1 to be less than or equal to zero. If this occurs, the model sets Wbtm=0.5∗WbnkfullW_{btm}=0.5*W_{bnkfull}Wbtm​=0.5∗Wbnkfull​ and calculates a new value for the channel side slope run by solving equation 7:1.1.1 for zchz_{ch}zch​:

zch=(Wbnkfull−Wbtm)2∗depthbnkfullz_{ch}=\frac{(W_{bnkfull}-W_{btm})}{2*depth_{bnkfull}}zch​=2∗depthbnkfull​(Wbnkfull​−Wbtm​)​ 7:1.1.2

For a given depth of water in the channel, the width of the channel at water level is:

W=Wbtm+2∗zch∗depthW=W_{btm}+2*z_{ch}*depthW=Wbtm​+2∗zch​∗depth 7:1.1.3

where WWW is the width of the channel at water level (m), WbtmW_{btm}Wbtm​ is the bottom width of the channel (m), zchz_{ch}zch​ is the inverse of the channel slope, and depthdepthdepth is the depth of water in the channel (m). The cross-sectional area of flow is calculated:

Ach=(Wbtm+zch∗depth)∗depthA_{ch}=(W_{btm}+z_{ch}*depth)*depthAch​=(Wbtm​+zch​∗depth)∗depth 7:1.1.4

where AchA_{ch}Ach​ is the cross-sectional area of flow in the channel (m2^22), WbtmW_{btm}Wbtm​ is the bottom width of the channel (m), zchz_{ch}zch​ is the inverse of the channel slope, and depthdepthdepth is the depth of water in the channel (m). The wetted perimeter of the channel is defined as

Pch=Wbtm+2∗depth∗1+zch2P_{ch}=W_{btm}+2*depth*\sqrt{1+z_{ch}^2}Pch​=Wbtm​+2∗depth∗1+zch2​​ 7:1.1.5

where PchP_{ch}Pch​ is the wetted perimeter for a given depth of flow (m). The hydraulic radius of the channel is calculated

Rch=AchPchR_{ch}=\frac{A_{ch}}{P_{ch}}Rch​=Pch​Ach​​ 7:1.1.6

where RchR_{ch}Rch​ is the hydraulic radius for a given depth of flow (m), AchA_{ch}Ach​ is the cross-sectional area of flow in the channel (m2^22), and PchP_{ch}Pch​ is the wetted perimeter for a given depth of flow (m). The volume of water held in the channel is

Vch=1000∗Lch∗AchV_{ch}=1000*L_{ch}*A_{ch}Vch​=1000∗Lch​∗Ach​ 7.1.1.7

where VchV_{ch}Vch​ is the volume of water stored in the channel (m3^33), LchL_{ch}Lch​ is the channel length (km), and AchA_{ch}Ach​ is the cross-sectional area of flow in the channel for a given depth of water (m2^22).

When the volume of water in the reach exceeds the maximum amount that can be held by the channel, the excess water spreads across the flood plain. The flood plain dimensions used by SWAT+ are shown in Figure 7:1-2.

The bottom width of the floodplain, Wbtm,fldW_{btm,fld}Wbtm,fld​, is Wbtm,fld=5∗WbnkfullW_{btm,fld}=5*W_{bnkfull}Wbtm,fld​=5∗Wbnkfull​. SWAT+ assumes the flood plain side slopes have a 4:1 run to rise ratio (zfldz_{fld}zfld​ = 4). The slope of the flood plain sides is then ¼ or 0.25.

When flow is present in the flood plain, the calculation of the flow depth, cross-sectional flow area and wetting perimeter is a sum of the channel and floodplain components:

depth=depthbnkfull+depthflddepth=depth_{bnkfull}+depth_{fld}depth=depthbnkfull​+depthfld​ 7:1.1.8

Ach=(Wbtm+zch∗depthbnkfull)∗depthbnkfull+(Wbtm,fld+zfld+depthfld)∗depthfldA_{ch}=(W_{btm}+z_{ch}*depth_{bnkfull})*depth_{bnkfull}+(W_{btm,fld}+z_{fld}+depth_{fld})*depth_{fld}Ach​=(Wbtm​+zch​∗depthbnkfull​)∗depthbnkfull​+(Wbtm,fld​+zfld​+depthfld​)∗depthfld​

7:1.1.9

Pch=Wbtm+2∗depthbnkfull∗1+zch2+4∗Wbnkfull+2∗depthfld∗1+zfld2P_{ch}=W_{btm}+2*depth_{bnkfull}*\sqrt{1+z_{ch}^2}+4*W_{bnkfull}+2*depth_{fld}*\sqrt{1+z_{fld}^2}Pch​=Wbtm​+2∗depthbnkfull​∗1+zch2​​+4∗Wbnkfull​+2∗depthfld​∗1+zfld2​​

7:1.1.10

where depthdepthdepth is the total depth of water (m), depthbnkfulldepth_{bnkfull}depthbnkfull​ is the depth of water in the channel when filled to the top of the bank (m), depthflddepth_{fld}depthfld​ is the depth of water in the flood plain (m), AchA_{ch}Ach​ is the cross-sectional area of flow for a given depth of water (m2^22), WbtmW_{btm}Wbtm​ is the bottom width of the channel (m), zchz_{ch}zch​ is the inverse of the channel side slope, Wbtm,fldW_{btm,fld}Wbtm,fld​ is the bottom width of the flood plain (m), zfldz_{fld}zfld​ is the inverse of the flood plain side slope, PchP_{ch}Pch​ is the wetted perimeter for a given depth of flow (m), and WbnkfullW_{bnkfull}Wbnkfull​ is the top width of the channel when filled with water (m).

Table 7:1-1: SWAT+ input variables that pertain to channel dimension calculations.

Variable Name
Definition
File Name

CH_W(2)

.rte

CH_D

.rte

CH_L(2)

.rte

: Width of channel at top of bank (m)

: Depth of water in channel when filled to bank (m)

: Length of main channel (km)

WbnkfullW_{bnkfull}Wbnkfull​
depthbnkfulldepth_{bnkfull}depthbnkfull​
LchL_{ch}Lch​
Figure 7:1-1: Trapezoidal channel dimensions
Figure 7:1-2: Illustration of flood plain dimensions.