Modeling platforms
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) develops and uses a number of generic modeling softwares to support water management in California or in any other region. Among these tools are the WRIMS, IWFM, and IDC. WRIMS is a generalized water resources modeling system for evaluating operational alternatives of large, complex river basins. IWFM is a computer program used for water resources management and planning within a basin. IDC is a computer program used for calculating agricultural and urban water demands at a river basin.
The Water Resource Integrated Modeling System (WRIMS model engine or WRIMS) (formally named CALSIM) is a generalized water resources modeling system for evaluating operational alternatives of large, complex river basins. WRIMS integrates a simulation language for flexible operational criteria specification, a linear programming solver for efficient water allocation decisions, and graphics capabilities for ease of use. These combined capabilities provide a comprehensive and powerful modeling tool for water resource systems simulation.
IWFM is a computer program used for water resources management and planning within a basin. It calculates groundwater flows, soil moisture movement in the topsoil, stream flows, land surface flows and flow exchange between the groundwater, streams and land surface as generated by rainfall, agricultural irrigation, and municipal and industrial water use. IWFM also calculates agricultural water demands based on crop types, crop acreages,soil types, irrigation methods and rainfall rates,as well as the municipal and industrial water demands based on population and per-capita water use rates. IWFM is a powerful tool that can help water managers understand the historical evolution of the surface and subsurface water flows within their basin, and to plan the use of groundwater and surface water to meet future agricultural, municipal and industrial water demands.
IDC is a computer program used for calculating agricultural and urban water demands at a river basin. Agricultural water demand is calculated based on climate data, crop types, crop acreages, soil properties and irrigation methods. Urban demand is calculated based on population and per-capita water usage. IDC is the stand-alone root zone component of the Integrated Water Flow Model (IWFM).