• User's Manual
• Technical Documentation
• AQUATOX Release 2.1 User's Manual for the Extension to BASINS
• Model Validation Reports
• Sensitivity Analysis
• Technical Notes

User's Manual

The User's Manual guides you through the use and operations of the various model capabilities, describes the model structure, and provides example applications. This file may also be accessed when running AQUATOX by using the AQUATOX help menu or by pressing the “help” button available on most screens.

Top of Page

Technical Documentation

The Technical Documentation presents a detailed description of the model structure and documentation of 452 component equations in Release 3.1.

Top of Page

AQUATOX Release 2.1 Users' Manual for the Extension to BASINS

The BASINS Extension Users' Manual guides you through the use and operation of the link to the BASINS GIS and watershed modeling system, including the enhancements made in Release 2.1. Note: the linkage operates in essentially the same manner under Release 3.1 as Release 2.1

Top of Page

Model Validation Reports

Note: these model validation reports are from Release 1 and 1.1. They have not been re-done using the Release 3.1 code, so the model results would be somewhat different. The overall results and conclusions should still be valid.

• Nutrient analysis on the Onondaga Lake, New York
• Nutrient analysis of the Coralville Reservoir, Iowa
• Bioaccumulation of PCBs in Lake Ontario
• Download the entire document
• Report on the periphyton simulation and validation
  

  Top of Page

Sensitivity Analysis

EPA performed a structured sensitivity analysis of AQUATOX.  This analysis identified the model parameters that cause the most sensitivity in model output.

• Sensitivity Analysis of AQUATOX
  

  Top of Page

Technical Notes

The technical notes describe the parameters, requirements, sources, conditioning, and modeling water flows in AQUATOX.

• AQUATOX Technical Note 1: A Calibrated Parameter Set for Simulation of Algae in Shallow Rivers
• AQUATOX Technical Note 2: Requirements, Sources, and Conditioning of Data for AQUATOX
• AQUATOX Technical Note 3: Modeling Water Flows with AQUATOX Release 3
  

  Top of Page

Contains the data sources for parameter values of the AQUATOX model including: a bibliography for the AQUATOX data libraries and the compendia of parameter values for US Army Corps of Engineers models. The Army Corps of Engineer models are:

• Coefficients for Use in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reservoir Model
• The Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate Coefficients for Use in Reservoir Ecosystem Modeling
• Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos in Reservoirs: Documentation and Development of Model Constructs

• Bibliography for AQUATOX data libraries (PDF)(13 pp, 102 K)
• Part 1: Introduction and Phytoplankton parameters, Coefficients for Use (PDF)(48 pp, 2 MB)
• Part 2: Animal Parameters, Coefficients for Use (PDF)(44 pp, 1 MB)
• Part 3: References, Coefficients for Use (PDF)(33 pp, 6 MB)
• Intro: Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(11 pp, 1 MB)
• Parts 1 - 3, Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(63 pp, 1 MB)
• Appendix A - F, Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(63 pp, 7 MB)
• Appendix G - M, Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(37 pp, 3 MB)
• Appendix N, Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(17 pp, 226 K)
• Appendix O - end, Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate (PDF)(45 pp, 514 K)
• Intro, Parts 1 - 2, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(28 pp, 5 MB)
• Part 3, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(79 pp, 21 MB)
• Part 4, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(22 pp, 4 MB)
• Part 5, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(34 pp, 5 MB)
• Part 6, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(22 pp, 3 MB)
• Appendix A - C, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(44 pp, 7 MB)
• Appendix D - E, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(43 pp, 4 MB)
• References, Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos (PDF)(38 pp, 7 MB)

• Bibliography for AQUATOX data libraries
• Compendia of parameter values for US Army Corps of Engineers models

Bibliography for AQUATOX data libraries

This bibliography provides the complete literature citations for the parameter values in the AQUATOX data libraries (those are the Notes fields in the underlying data screens for biotic, remineralization, chemical, and chemical toxicity parameter values). Download the Bibliography for AQUATOX data libraries.

Top of Page

Compendia of parameter values for US Army Corps of Engineers models

One of the more challenging aspects of calibrating and applying AQUATOX to new waterbodies is finding appropriate values for the many biotic and chemical parameters contained in the model. The following are some of the data sources we have commonly used in the development of AQUATOX. Although they are old, they draw on an extensive literature that generally does not appear in present-day Internet searches.

Collins, Carol Desormeau, and Joseph H. Wlosinski. 1983. Coefficients for Use in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reservoir Model, CE-QUAL-R1. Vicksburg, Miss.: Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.

• Part 1: Introduction and Phytoplankton parameters
• Part 2: Animal parameters
• Part 3: References

Leidy, G.R., and R.M. Jenkins. 1977. The Development of Fishery Compartments and Population Rate Coefficients for Use in Reservoir Ecosystem Modeling. Contract Rept. CR-Y-77-1, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg Mississippi, 134 pp.

• Introductory material
• Parts 1- 3
• Appendix A- F
• Appendix G-M
• Appendix N
• Appendix O – end

Leidy, G. R., and G. R. Ploskey. 1980. Simulation Modeling of Zooplankton and Benthos in Reservoirs: Documentation and Development of Model Constructs. Technical Report E-80-4 U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss.

• Introductory material, Parts 1-2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6
• Appendix A – C
• Appendix D – E
• References
  

  Top of Page

AQUATOX Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program Webinar Series

• AQUATOX SHCRP Webinar (PDF)(56 pp, 3 MB)

Quick start guide

• Guidance in AQUATOX Setup and Application (PDF)(27 pp, 554 K)

Coal River, W. Va. Hg sensitivity study software Installation/Operation guide.

• Coal River Mercury Study Installation and Basic Operation Guide (PDF)(4 pp, 300 K, 01/29/2015)

Introduction

Hydrological Simulation Program - FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive package for simulation of watershed hydrology and water quality for both conventional and toxic organic pollutants. HSPF incorporates watershed-scale ARM and NPS models into a basin-scale analysis framework that includes fate and transport in one dimensional stream channels. It is the only comprehensive model of watershed hydrology and water quality that allows the integrated simulation of land and soil contaminant runoff processes with In-stream hydraulic and sediment-chemical interactions. The result of this simulation is a time history of the runoff flow rate, sediment load, and nutrient and pesticide concentrations, along with a time history of water quantity and quality at any point in a watershed. HSPF simulates three sediment types (sand, silt, and clay) in addition to a single organic chemical and transformation products of that chemical.

Top of page

Application

The abstract for the Application of BASINS/HSPF to Data-scarce Watersheds follows. Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS 4.1) is a program developed by the US EPA for local, regional, and state agencies responsible for water resources management, particularly the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) as required under the Clean Water Act (CWA). BASINS facilitates water quantity and quality modeling applications to support EPA’s policy and regulatory decisions, e.g., water quality criteria development and total maximum daily load calculations. BASINS 4.1 has pre-packaged cartographic, environmental, and climate data within its databases and BASINS users in the United States often use it. Where pre-packaged data is not available, however, BASINS users must obtain data from other sources and upload it to BASINS. This tutorial summarizes data requirements of BASINS users who want to use data other than pre-packaged or who want to apply BASINS/HSPF to watersheds outside the United States. This report presents steps to import data to BASINS, delineate watersheds, and launch BASINS to build an HSPF model project.

Top of page

Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS 4.1) is a program developed by the US EPA for local, regional, and state agencies responsible for water resources management, particularly the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) as required under the Clean Water Act (CWA). BASINS facilitates water quantity and quality modeling applications to support EPA’s policy and regulatory decisions, e.g., water quality criteria development and total maximum daily load calculations. BASINS 4.1 has pre-packaged cartographic, environmental, and climate data within its databases and BASINS users in the United States often use it. Where pre-packaged data is not available, however, BASINS users must obtain data from other sources and upload it to BASINS.

This report presents steps to import data to BASINS, delineate watersheds, and launch BASINS to build an HSPF model project.

• Application of BASINS/HSPF to Data-scarce Watersheds (PDF)(88 pp, 7 MB, February 2015, EPA/600/R-15/007)

Guide for Virtual Beach modeling software, designed for developing site-specific Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models for prediction of pathogen indicator levels at recreational beaches.

• Virtual Beach 3.0.4 User Guide (PDF)(85 pp, 3 MB, December 2014)

Introduction

The Evapotranspiration Calculator estimates evapotranspiration time series data for hydrological and water quality models. The tool was developed specifically for the Hydrologic Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF) and the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM), but can be used with other models if they use time series ET data as input.

Top of page

Audience

The ET Calculator was developed primarily for hydrological and water quality modelers.

Top of page

Abstract

A web-based Evapotranspiration calculator developed for hydrologic and water quality models such as the Hydrological Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF), the core watershed model in BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources), is presented. HSPF is widely used to set total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for water quality-impaired water bodies in the U.S. The model’s dominant hydrological processes include infiltration, interception, surface depression storage, evapotranspiration, runoff, groundwater, and soil moisture accounting.  HSPF also has extensive water quality process representations and modeling capabilities at user-specified spatial and temporal scales.

Using different ET methods, the tool’s objective is to calculate evapotranspiration time series data from meteorological data.  This process is important in climate change assessment studies, watershed modeling, drought and flood management, and modeling effectiveness of low impact development (LID) controls.

Top of page

Applications and Possible Uses

The most common use of the ET Calculator is calculating evapotranspiration time series input data for hydrological and water quality models such as HSPF and SWMM.  Applications include modeling green infrastructure performance assessment studies, climate change assessment studies, and water balance studies at different temporal and spatial scales.

Top of page

Software History

The web-based Evapotranspiration Calculator was developed under the green infrastructure task of the Safe and Sustainable Water Resources National Research Program. This is a Beta Version of the ET calculator and it has not been tested adequately with a range of modeling applications. Based on future test results and user requests, the calculator will have additional enhancements and new versions may be available.

Top of page

Technical Support and Training

Questions regarding the Evapotranspiration Calculator can be directed to Yusuf Mohamoud at the Ecosystems Research Division of EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, GA.  A tutorial is now available for download at ET Tool Download. A document describing different ET methods will be available in 2015.

Top of page

Disclaimer

This tutorial has been reviewed by the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)-Ecosystems Research Division (ERD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Athens, Georgia and approved for publication. The ET calculator has not yet been tested extensively with different meteorological data sources and parameter sets. Additional quality assurance testing is needed and we will appreciate tool users reporting any inaccuracies. The authors and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are not responsible and assume no liability whatsoever for any results or any use made of the results obtained from this program, nor for any damages or litigation that result from the use of this tool for any purpose.

Top of page

Specifications

Text Files

Download Files

Evapotranspiration Calculator Tutorial document

• ET Tool Tutorial (PDF)(34 pp, 2 MB, June 20,2015)
  Evapotranspiration Calculator estimates evapotranspiration time series data for hydrological and water quality models. The tool was developed specifically for the Hydrologic Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF) and the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM), but can be used with other models if they use time series ET data as input.

Specifications

Text Files

Download Files

Introduction

The Model Performance Evaluation and Scenario Analysis (MPESA) Tool was developed to provide users with the ability to assess the performance with which models predict time series data (e.g., streamflow). The tool was developed specifically for the Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) and the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) models, other models can also use it if they generate time series output data.

Top of page

Audience

The MPSA was developed primarily for hydrological and water quality modelers.

Top of page

Abstract

As the name implies, the tool consists of Model Performance Evaluation and Baseline and Scenario Analysis (MPESA) components. The Model Performance Evaluation and Diagnostics component calculates model performance evaluation measures such as descriptive statistics, error analysis, weighted ranks, serial and cross-correlation analysis, and Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency. The model performance evaluation is based on the time series separation and reconstruction (TSSR) paradigm whereby a time series data is separated into magnitude or duration curve and sequence components. It demonstrates if model performance is impacted by magnitude or sequence related errors and provides limited diagnostic feedback to modelers. The program has zooming and visualization capabilities. The Baseline and Scenario Comparison component of the tool provide the user with quantitative evaluation of baseline and scenario comparisons. The tool uses metrics such as low flow analyses, metrics of flashiness, flow magnitudes, as well as flow threshold analyses. The scenario analysis tool is useful for land use and climate change baseline and scenario comparisons.

Top of page

Applications and Possible Uses

The most common use of the web-based MPESA Tool is evaluating model performance through comparisons of observed and predicted time series data. The tool receives observed and predicted data and calculates evapotranspiration time series for hydrological and water quality models such as HSPF and SWMM. Applications include modeling green infrastructure performance assessment studies, climate change assessment studies, and water balance studies at different temporal and spatial scales. The tool requires regular Java runtime updates.

Top of page

Software History

This Beta Version has not been tested adequately with a range of modeling applications. Based on future test results and user requests, the calculator will have additional enhancements and new updates may become available.

Top of page

Technical Support and Training

Questions regarding the Model Performance Evaluation and Scenario Analysis (MPESA) can be directed to Yusuf Mohamoud at the Ecosystems Research Division of EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, GA.  A tutorial is now available for download at MPESA Download. A document describing different MPESA methods will be available in 2015.

Top of page

Notice

This tutorial has been reviewed by the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)-Ecosystems Research Division (ERD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Athens, Georgia and approved for publication. The MPESA Tool has not yet been tested extensively with different meteorological data sources and parameter sets. Additional quality assurance testing is needed and we will appreciate tool users reporting any inaccuracies. The authors and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are not responsible and assume no liability whatsoever for any results or any use made of the results obtained from this program, nor for any damages or litigation that result from the use of this tool for any purpose.

Top of page

Specifications

Text Files

Download Files

• WASP Preprocessor
• Post Processor
• WASP Model Information
• File Download Information

The Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP7) is an enhancement of the original WASP (Di Toro et al., 1983; Connolly and Winfield, 1984; Ambrose, R.B. et al., 1988). This model helps users interpret and predict water quality responses to natural phenomena and manmade pollution for various pollution management decisions. WASP is a dynamic compartment-modeling program for aquatic systems, including both the water column and the underlying benthos. WASP allows the user to investigate 1, 2, and 3 dimensional systems, and a variety of pollutant types. The state variables for the given modules are given in the table below. The time varying processes of advection, dispersion, point and diffuse mass loading and boundary exchange are represented in the model. WASP also can be linked with hydrodynamic and sediment transport models that can provide flows, depths velocities, temperature, salinity and sediment fluxes. This release of WASP contains the inclusion of the sediment diagenesis model linked to the Advanced Eutrophication sub model, which predicted sediment oxygen demand and nutrient fluxes from the underlying sediments.

WASP is one of the most widely used water quality models in the United States and throughout the world. Because of the models capabilities of handling multiple pollutant types it has been widely applied in the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). WASP has capabilities of linking with hydrodynamic and watershed models which allows for multi-year analysis under varying meteorological and environmental conditions. WASP has been applied to all of the major estuaries in Florida where it was linked with a hydrodynamic and watershed model simulating 12 continuous years to aid US EPA in the development of numeric nutrient criteria. Other examples of its use are: eutrophication of Tampa Bay, FL; phosphorus loading to Lake Okeechobee, FL; eutrophication of the Neuse River Estuary, NC; eutrophication Coosa River and Reservoirs, AL; PCB pollution of the Great Lakes, eutrophication of the Potomac Estuary, kepone pollution of the James River Estuary, volatile organic pollution of the Delaware Estuary, and heavy metal pollution of the Deep River, North Carolina, mercury in the Savannah River, GA.

Top of Page

WASP Preprocessor

The data preprocessor allows for the rapid development of input datasets. The ability to bring data into the model is as simple as cut and paste or queried from a database. The preprocessor provides detailed descriptions of all model parameters and kinetic constants. When linking WASP with hydrodynamic models it is as simple as pointing to the hydrodynamic linkage file.

• Import time series from WRDB, Spreadsheet, Text Files
• Automatically import hydrodynamic model interface information
• Multi-session capable
• Run time diagnosis

Top of Page

Post Processor

The Post-Processor (MOVEM) provides an efficient method for reviewing model predictions and comparing them with field data for calibration. MOVEM has the ability to display results from all of the WASP models as well as others. MOVEM allows the modeler to displays the results in two graphical formats:

1. Spatial Grid . a two dimensional rendition of the model network is displayed in a window where the model network is color shaded based upon the predicted concentration.
2. x/y Plots -- generates an x/y line plot of predicted and/or observed model results in a window.

There is no limit on the number of x/y plots, spatial grids or even model result files the user can utilize in a session. Separate windows are created for each spatial grid or x/y plot created by the user.

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

This file contains a Fact Sheet about the WASP Modeling System in PDF Format.

• WASP Fact Sheet (PDF)(2 pp, 682 K)

The entire WASP 7 Course(57 pp, 19 MB) is available for download as a 7-Zip, self-extracting, 18,726 KB, Windows executable.

Download by presentation:

• Introduction
• Transport
• Water Quality
• Toxicants

Introduction

• Introduction to WASP(23 pp, 511 K) / PowerPoint
• Introduction to WASP Interface(28 pp, 5 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Interface Tutorial(35 pp, 7 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Boundary Conditions and Loads(14 pp, 1 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Environmental Time Functions and Segment Parameters(17 pp, 498 K) / PowerPoint

Top of Page

Transport

• WASP Model Segmentation(16 pp, 2 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Short Intro to EFDC(23 pp, 766 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Advective Flows(24 pp, 7 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Dispersion(3 pp, 2 MB) / Zip file containing PowerPoint and Audio (AVI)

Top of Page

Water Quality

• WASP Introduction to Eutrophication(6 pp, 100 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Dissolved Oxygen Processes(27 pp, 958 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Eutrophication Processes(42 pp, 869 K) / PowerPoint

Top of Page

Toxicants

• Introduction to TOXI-WASP(8 pp, 500 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Solids Balance Sediment Transport(29 pp, 1 MB) / PowerPoint
• WASP Intro to Organic Chemical Model(24 pp, 991 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Intro to Metals Modeling(18 pp, 325 K) / PowerPoint
• WASP Mercury Processes(14 pp, 605 K) / PowerPoint

Top of Page

HSPF Data Formatting Tool (Desktop HDFT) Download Page

The Desktop HDFT is a tool for converting Time Series Data from character delimited file formats to formats compatible with other scientific applications.