Model Library

Distributed Framework Water Environment Model System (DF-WEMS)

Model name: Distributed Framework Water Environment Model System (DF-WEMS)

Developed by: Researchers at the Hohai University, led by Dr. Pengxuan Zhao and Dr. Gang Chen (Last update: 2024)

Model type: 0D/1D/2D distributed, process-based, hydrodynamic–hydraulic–water-quality-merged, watershed model, especially for highly urbanized areas

Computational requirements: computational expensive

Software requirements: GIS

Link to download model: Not open source. Contact pengxuanzhao@hhu.edu.cn or gangchen@hhu.edu.cn for any information.

Capabilities and Limitations:

Capabilities

  • Built upon a self-developed GIS system, DF-WEMS merges water quantity models, waste load models, and water quality models (Zhao et al., 2024);
  • DF-WEMS provides a comprehensive assessment of various watershed water environment conditions and Hydrological Feature Units (HFUs) like lakes, reservoirs, floodplains, paddy fields, plain rivers, and hydraulic engineering structures (Zhao et al., 2024);
  • DF-WEMS applies distributed concepts, node concentration mass conservation, and considers pollutant generation from complex surfaces and confluence in intricate river networks with structures like gates and pumps (Zhao et al., 2024).

Limitations

  • Not open-source;
  • Newly developed in 2024, DF-WEMS requires extensive, accurate data for precision (Zhao et al., 2024).
  • Complex river–lake systems and dynamic surface conditions in urbanized areas challenge accuracy of the water quantity and quality simulation (Zhao et al., 2024).
  • The waste load model relies on empirical methods for hilly sub-watersheds (Zhao et al., 2024);
  • The model’s performance in simulating COD and TP is not entirely satisfactory, potentially due to the model’s unaccounted microorganism interactions in aquatic ecosystems (Zhao et al., 2024).

Model Inputs and Outputs:

Inputs

Point sources, Water quality boundary conditions, Water temperature, Meteorological data, Initial Water Quality Conditions

Outputs

DF-WEMS can simulate water quantity and water quality indicators, including DO, BOD₅, COD, TN, TP, and NH₃-N.

Example:

Reference

Zhao, P., Wang, C., Wu, J., Chen, G., Zhang, T., Li, Y., & Zhang, P. (2024). Simulation and application of water environment in highly urbanized areas: A case study in Taihu Lake Basin. Hydrology, 11(2), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11020020

Objective

The primary objective of this study is to address the intricate challenges associated with the simulation and forecasting of water environments in highly urbanized regions characterized by complex underlying surfaces and intensified anthropogenic activities.