Example 2a

Raven model run with BasinMaker outputs

• Here we demo what additional Raven hydrological model framework input files (*.rvi, *.rvp, *.rvc, and *.rvt), i.e. non-BasinMaker files, must be combined with BasinMaker generated Raven inputs (*.rvh with HRU/basin definitions, *.rvh for the lakes and *.rvp for the channels) from Step 7 of the BasinMaker post-processing walkthrough (Example 2).
• We have configured a semi-distributed version of the HMETS for the South River routing network (gauge 02DD005) outside of BasinMaker. A lumped HMETS model runs on each land HRU. Evaporation is simulated on all lake HRUs.
• BasinMaker Example 2a produces discretization and routing inputs containing 20 subbasins and 3 lakes. The HRUs defined in this routing network are lake HRU and non-lake (land) HRU, which is the simplest definition in BasinMaker. The total number of HRUs is 23. No landuse, soil, or vegetation classes is considered in this example.
• Basin-averaged daily precipitation and air temperature from 2000 to 2010 are used as input forcing. Three flow gauges are set as the point where hydrographs will be output by Raven; however, these gauges are no longer active during the period of 2000-2010. Thus, all the data points in the hydrographs are flagged as missing in the time series files. The stage of two representative simulated lakes, Bray Lake and a small lake just above the OPG Nippissing Generating Station near the watershed outlet (please view them on the watershed map produced by BasinMaker), are written out by Raven for a visual check of simulated lake stages.
• Instructions for model build:
  1. Create a new folder called 'Raven2a_SouthRiver'.
  2. Unzip the file called 'HMETS_nonBasinMaker_files.zip' (download non-BasinMaker files as zip) and move contents to the 'Raven2a_SouthRiver' folder.
  3. After you have completed the case 2a BasinMaker post-processing walkthrough for South River (02DD005), move all the BasinMaker generated files from this Step, except the 'south_river_HMETS.rvp', to the 'Raven2a_SouthRiver' folder.
  4. Make sure you download the latest Raven model executable for your operating system or download the code and compile an executable on your machine (see Raven website).
  5. Run the Raven executable using the 'Raven2a_SouthRiver' folder as the model inputs (if you are not a Raven user currently, you may need to quickly read the Raven manual).
• You can quickly inspect simulated outputs using the super convenient web-based plotting tool for Raven here. For example import the 'south_river_ReservoirStages.csv' as a hydrograph file. But first, change the Raven 'south_river_hmets.rvh' file to print out lake outflows for sub3002554 and for sub3002566 by changing the last column ('gauged') in the ':Subbasin' block from 0 to 1.
• Note that users can easily do the same thing for BasinMaker Example 2b outputs for Raven. Just repeat above for these outputs and use a new folder called 'Raven2b_SouthRiver'. You can use the same set of non-BasinMaker files you downloaded in Step 2 above!