Model Library

MapShed

Model name: MapShed

Developed by: Pennsylvania State University (Last update: 2016)

Model type: GIS-based, distributed/lumped, deterministic, semi-process-based, hydrological and water quality, watershed model.

History: MapShed is an extension and enhancement version of GWLF.

Computational requirements: Windows, 1 GB of RAM minimum, around 150MB for MapWindow and associated plugins.

Software requirements: GIS (required): ArcView GIS, MapWindow, Model My Watershed.

Link to download model

Capabilities and Limitations:

Capabilities

  • It works with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for input data processing;
  • User-friendly;
  • It requires fewer input data than SWAT, SWMM, or HSPF;
  • Medium-complex model;
  • It includes algorithms for septic loads and point source discharge data.

Limitations

  • It treats all crops as a single category (Drissia and Anitha, 2015);
  • The MapShed model inherits significant limitations from the original GWLF model, including the lack of channel and river routing, and tools for calibration and uncertainty analysis (Nguyen et al., 2021);
  • The model does not carry over sediment yield from one year to the next and it uses a monthly timestep for simulations (Nguyen and Nguyen, 2014).

Model Inputs and Outputs:

Inputs

Topography data, LULC data, Precipitation (Daily time step), Temperature (Daily time step), Runoff sources and transport, and Chemical parameters on a daily time step.

Outputs

Time-series simulation of monthly flow, soil erosion, and sediment yield, monthly TN and TP loads in flow, monthly groundwater discharge, annual erosion by land use, and yearly TN and TP loads for each land use type.

Examples:

References

Nguyen, V. T., Nguyen, H. H., & Han, G. (2021). Development of an integrated modeling platform for watershed simulation. Environmental Modelling & Software, 139, 105014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105014


Muhammetoglu, A., Orhan, P., Akdegirmen, O., et al. (2023). An integrated modeling approach to assess best management practices (BMPs) for improving stream water quality using the MapShed and WASP8 models. Water Resources Management, 37, 6237–6253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-023-03655-1

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to develop a new modeling platform, which integrates all necessary modeling components for watershed simulation, including a pre-processing tool, a coupling of hydrologic and river transport models, and a calibration and uncertainty analysis tool.

This study aimed to present a combined modeling approach for comprehensive water quality assessment.