A user-friendly software package for VIC hydrologic model development. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wi, Sungwook; Ray, Patrick; Demaria, Eleonora M.C.; Steinschneider, Scott; Brown, Casey
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 98(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: VIC hydrologic model -- VIC setup assistant tool -- MATLAB graphic user interface -- Automatic calibration -- Sensitivity analysis; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: The Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic and river routing model simulates the water and energy fluxes that occur near the land surface and provides useful information regarding the quantity and timing of available water within a watershed system. However, despite its popularity, wider adoption is hampered by the considerable effort required to prepare model inputs and calibrate the model parameters. This study presents a user-friendly software package, named VIC-Automated Setup Toolkit (VIC-ASSIST), accessible through an intuitive MATLAB graphical user interface. VIC-ASSIST enables users to navigate the model building process through prompts and automation, with the intention to promote the use of the model for practical, educational, and research purposes. The automated processes include watershed delineation, climate and geographical input set-up, model parameter calibration, sensitivity analysis, and graphical output generation. We demonstrate the package's utilities in various case studies. Highlights: We introduce VIC-Automated Setup Toolkit (VIC-ASSIST). VIC-ASSIST framed within a MATLAB GUI aids building and calibrating the VIC model. VIC-ASSIST helps users navigate the model building processes through automation. We demonstrate the package's utilities in various case studies.