Preparing and Running a Routing Network

The VIC model produces output files for runoff, and base flow for each grid cell within a basin. In most cases models are compared to streamflow records to calibrate and verify their predictions. The routing program directs the outflow of water from each grid cell down a routing network which is designed to simulate the actual channel network. Flow through the routing network can then be compared with streamflow records.

Routing networks can be designed by hand using avaiable maps, or by automatic methods using basin DEMs. Once a routing network has been constructed, the information must be transferred into a routing file. A routing file has a separate line for each grid cell, this includes inactive cells, the file must define a rectangular region. Each line is formatted as:

ColumnPositionDescription
1block numberConsecutive numbers from upper left
2block type1 if active, 0 if not
2precent grid drainedpercent of grid cell drained, can be > 100%
3reservoir type0 for no reservoir (more details in source code)
4velocityflow velocity in (m/s), default to 1.0 m/s
5NET.botNet flow through south side of grid cell
6NET.bot_leftNet flow through southwest side of grid cell
7NET.leftNet flow through west side of grid cell
8NET.top_leftNet flow through northwest side of grid cell
9NET.topNet flow through north side of grid cell
10NET.top_rightNet flow through northeast side of grid cell
11NET.rightNet flow through east side of grid cell
11NET.bot_rightNet flow through southeast side of grid cell

The percentage of grid cell drained was added to allow for grid cells not full in basin. Percents can be greater than 100%, to allow for drainage from cells not actually in masked basin.

NET flow columns contain the number of grid cell draining into or out of the cell. Inflows must be positive (+), outflows should be negative (-), and directions of no flow are set to 0. Only one outflow can exist in a grid cell. The basin outflow is marked using a -999, since it dos not flow out into an active cell.

Download the routing code (use right mouse button to save link directly).


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