The AGWA - KINEROS2 Suite of Modeling Tools

KINEROS originated in the 1970’s as a distributed event-based rainfall-runoff erosion model. A unique feature at that time was its interactive coupling of a finite difference approximation of the kinematic overland flow equations to the Smith-Parlange infiltration model. Development and improvement of KINEROS has continued for a variety of projects and purposes. As a result, a suite of KINEROS2-based modeling tools has been developed that can be executed from a single shell. The tools range from the event-based KINEROS2 flash-flood forecasting tool to the continuous KINEROS2-Opus2 (K2-O2) biogeochemistry tool. The KINEROS2 flash flood forecasting tool is being tested with the National Weather Service (NWS). It assimilates the NWS Digital Hybrid Reflectivity (DHR) radar product in near-real time and can simultaneously run ensembles using multiple radar-reflectivity relationships. In addition to simulation of runoff and sediment transport, K2-O2 can simulate common agricultural management practices, plant growth, nutrient cycling (nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon), water quality and chemical runoff. Like any detailed, distributed watershed modeling software, the KINEROS2 suite of tools often requires considerable effort to implement; it is necessary to delineate watersheds, discretize them into modeling elements, and parameterize these elements. This need motivated the development of the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool. This ArcGIS-based tool uses commonly available, national GIS data layers to fully parameterize, execute, and visualize results from both the SWAT and KINEROS2 models. By employing these two models AGWA can conduct hydrologic modeling and watershed assessments at multiple temporal and spatial scales. A variety of new capabilities have been added to AGWA to configure KINEROS2 inputs to simulate a number of land-management practices or changes (fire, urbanization, and best management practices) as well as incorporate decision-management tools for rangelands. An overview of these tools will be provided.