Model:SINUOUS

SINUOUS

Also known as	Meander Evolution Model
Model type	Single
Model part of larger framework
Note on status model
Date note status model

Incorporated models or components:

Spatial dimensions	2D
Spatial extent	Landscape-Scale, Reach-Scale
Model domain	Terrestrial, Hydrology, Planetary landforms
One-line model description	SINUOUS - Meander Evolution Model
Extended model description	Extended description for SINUOUS - Meander Evolution Model. The basic model simulates planform evolution of a meandering river starting from X,Y coordinates of centerline nodes, with specification of cross-sectional and flow parameters. If the model is intended to simulate evolution of an existing river, the success of the model can be evaluated by the included area between the simulated and the river centerline. In addition, topographic evolution of the surrounding floodplain can be simulated as a function of existing elevation, distance from the nearest channel, and time since the channel migrated through that location. Profile evolution of the channel can also be modeled by backwater flow routing and bed sediment transport relationships.

Keywords:	meander, Meander Evolution Model, floodplain deposition,

Supported platforms	Linux, Mac OS, Windows
Other platform
Programming language	Fortran90
Other program language	Pascal
Code optimized	Single Processor
Multiple processors implemented
Nr of distributed processors
Nr of shared processors
Start year development	1984
Does model development still take place?	Yes
If above answer is no, provide end year model development
Code development status	Active
When did you indicate the 'code development status'?	2021
Model availability	As code
Source code availability (Or provide future intension)	Through CSDMS repository
Source web address
Source csdms web address
Program license type	GPL v3
Program license type other
Memory requirements	Depends upon size of simulated domain
Typical run time	10-50 minutes depending on domain size and duration of simulation

Describe input parameters	X,Y coordinates of centerline, hydrologic and sedimentary parameters, as detailed in the model documentation
Input format	ASCII
Other input format
Describe output parameters	Centerline and floodplain evolution through time, as well as hydraulic parameters as detailed in the model documentation
Output format	ASCII
Other output format	Images of final floodplain age distribution an topography if modeled
Pre-processing software needed?	Yes
Describe pre-processing software	Initial centerline needs to be created or digitized. Hyrologic and sedimentary parameters need to be estimated from external information. See documentation.
Post-processing software needed?	Yes
Describe post-processing software	Centerline data, floodplain elevations, and hydraulic data are output as tables which can be analyzed by the user as needed.
Visualization software needed?	No
If above answer is yes
Other visualization software

Describe processes represented by the model	Centerline migration, Floodplain sediment, and channel profile evolution, depending upon choices in the parameter input files, as detailed in the model documentation.
Describe key physical parameters and equations	Flow modeling is based on the Ikeda, Parker, and Sawaii (1984) and Johannesson and Parker (1989) linearized flow models. See the model documentation and published papers documented therein. Floodplain sedimentation is modeled as described in the documentation and in Howard(1992, 1996). Backwater flow routing and bed sediment routing is based upon Gary Parker's ebook spreadsheet RTe-bookAgDegBW.xls:. See the program documentation for further details.
Describe length scale and resolution constraints	The channel centerline is represented by X,Y coordinates with about one channel=width equivalent. The floodplain evolution, if simulated, has cells of one channel-width equivalent. Length of simulated domain and floodplain size depends upon input data.
Describe time scale and resolution constraints	Simulated meander evolution timesteps are typically 0.1 year to a few years. If downstream sediment transport is modeled, subiterations of ~0.01 year are required.
Describe any numerical limitations and issues	None identified

Describe available calibration data sets	Calibration must be based on external hydraulic and channel morphology data. Optimal parameters can be determined by test simulations.
Upload calibration data sets if available:
Describe available test data sets	The model is issued with three example simulations: 1) A centerline migration example starting from a nearly straight stream; 2) A floodplain deposition simulation and 3) A simulation modeling 5 years of migration of the Madidi river. This simulation uses downstream sediment routing, and the model is tested against the actual river migration during the same time interval. See the program documentation for details.
Upload test data sets if available:
Describe ideal data for testing	Channel migration data for real meandering rivers. Topography of floodplains of actual migrating rivers.

Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers?	None at present.

Is there a manual available?	Yes
Upload manual if available:
Model website if any
Model forum / discussion board

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Featured publication(s)	Year	Model described	Type of Reference	Citations
Howard, A. D 1996. Modelling channel evolution and floodplain morphology. In: M.A. Anderson, D.E., Walling, P.D. Bates (eds.)Floodplain Processes.. 15-62. (View/edit entry)	1996	SINUOUS	Model application	0
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