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Model Inputs

HydroPol2D uses a combination of raster inputs, spreadsheet tables, and forcing files. This page is the entry point for the file-based inputs that the current model can read.

Core spatial inputs​

Most runs start from three required rasters:

  1. DEM
  2. LULC
  3. Soil

These define the model grid, the land-surface classes, and the base soil hydraulic properties.

Supplemental spatial inputs​

Additional rasters are used when the selected workflow needs them:

  • DTB for soil depth or depth to bedrock;
  • LAI for spatial vegetation structure;
  • Albedo for spatial surface-energy properties;
  • Additional Spatial Inputs for initial groundwater, impervious fraction, warmup states, and water-quality rasters.

These inputs are optional by workflow, not experimental by default. They should be documented whenever they are active in a case study.

Tabular and control inputs​

HydroPol2D also reads spreadsheet-based inputs:

  • Parameter Tables for LULC and soil classes;
  • General_Data.xlsx for flags, timing, file paths, and runtime controls;
  • forcing or boundary-condition spreadsheets for rainfall, evapotranspiration, inflow, stage, or control structures when those options are active.

Forcing inputs​

Forcing can be prescribed through spreadsheets, raster schedules, or synthetic storm settings. The Optional Forcing page documents the supported pathways, including rainfall time series, rainfall rasters, evapotranspiration forcing, inflow hydrographs, stage boundaries, and synthetic design storms.

Practical rules​

Raster inputs should:

  • use a projected coordinate reference system;
  • align with the DEM, or be resample-ready to that grid;
  • use consistent units;
  • cover the model domain cleanly.

HydroPol2D can resample and mask many optional rasters internally, but reproducible workflows still depend on clean, domain-consistent source files.

Quick input map​

Input groupTypical files
Core terrain and classesDEM_path, LULC_path, SOIL_path
Vadose / groundwater supportDTB_path, GW_table_path
Surface-property refinementsLAI_path, Albedo_path, ImperviousFraction_path
Initial statesWarmup_Depth_path, Initial_Soil_Moisture_path, Initial_Buildup_path
Channel geometryRiverWidths_path, RiverDepths_path
Water-quality rastersB1_path, B2_path, W1_path, W2_path
Forcing and boundary filesrainfall, ETP, inflow, stage, control-structure spreadsheets or raster schedules

The detailed behavior of the supplemental raster and initial-state inputs is documented on Additional Spatial Inputs.