Model:ParFlow

ParFlow

Also known as
Model type	Modular
Model part of larger framework
Note on status model
Date note status model

Incorporated models or components:

Spatial dimensions
Spatial extent
Model domain	Terrestrial, Hydrology
One-line model description	Parallel, high-performance, integrated watershed model
Extended model description	ParFlow is an open-source, object-oriented, parallel watershed flow model. It includes fully-integrated overland flow, the ability to simulate complex topography, geology and heterogeneity and coupled land-surface processes including the land-energy budget, biogeochemistry and snow (via CLM). It is multi-platform and runs with a common I/O structure from laptop to supercomputer. ParFlow is the result of a long, multi-institutional development history and is now a collaborative effort between CSM, LLNL, UniBonn and UCB. ParFlow has been coupled to the mesoscale, meteorological code ARPS and the NCAR code WRF.

Keywords:	basins,

Name	Reed Maxwell
Type of contact	Project manager
Institute / Organization	International Groundwater Modeling Center, Colorado School of Mines
Postal address 1	1500 Illinois St
Postal address 2	Colorado School of Mines
Town / City	Golden
Postal code	80401
State	Colorado
Country	United States
Email address	rmaxwell@mines.edu
Phone	303-384-2456
Fax

Supported platforms	Unix, Linux, Mac OS
Other platform
Programming language	Fortran90, C
Other program language
Code optimized
Multiple processors implemented
Nr of distributed processors
Nr of shared processors
Start year development	1994
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'?	2020
Model availability	As code
Source code availability (Or provide future intension)	Through web repository
Source web address	http://inside.mines.edu/~rmaxwell/maxwell_software.shtml
Source csdms web address
Program license type	LGPL
Program license type other
Memory requirements	depends on problem size
Typical run time	depends on problem size

Describe input parameters	TCL script, many physical and numerical parameters needed.
Input format	ASCII, Binary
Other input format
Describe output parameters	Many: pressure, saturation, temperature, energy fluxes, flow, etc.
Output format	ASCII, Binary
Other output format
Pre-processing software needed?	No
Describe pre-processing software
Post-processing software needed?	Yes
Describe post-processing software	ParFlow comes with a robust, integrated toolkit (pftools) that provides a wide range of postprocessing options.
Visualization software needed?	Yes
If above answer is yes	Matlab
Other visualization software	Visit

Describe processes represented by the model	Processes like: Saturated subsurface flow. Variably-saturated subsurface flow. Integrated overland flow. Land-energy budget. Shallow heat transport. Bio-geochemistry (plant/water interactions). Correlated, Gaussian random field generators.
Describe key physical parameters and equations	Fully described in manual.
Describe length scale and resolution constraints	Depends upon application.
Describe time scale and resolution constraints	Depends upon application.
Describe any numerical limitations and issues	Depends only on computer resources.

Describe available calibration data sets	ParFlow contains a directory of test cases that may be automated as a check of the code.
Upload calibration data sets if available:
Describe available test data sets	ParFlow contains a directory of test cases that may be automated as a check of the code.
Upload test data sets if available:
Describe ideal data for testing

Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers?	Yes, many already in progress.

Is there a manual available?	Yes
Upload manual if available:
Model website if any	http://inside.mines.edu/~rmaxwell/maxwell_software.shtml
Model forum / discussion board

Comments

This part will be filled out by CSDMS staff

Can be coupled with:

Model info

Authors

Smith, Kollet

Source code

Model citations

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Other models by author

Featured publication(s)	Year	Model described	Type of Reference	Citations
Maxwell, Reed M.; Miller, Norman L.; 2005. Development of a Coupled Land Surface and Groundwater Model. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 6, 233–247. 10.1175/JHM422.1 (View/edit entry)	2005	ParFlow	Model overview	437
Ashby, S.F.; Falgout, R.D.; 1996. A parallel multigrid preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm for groundwater flow simulations. Nuclear Science and Engineering, 124, 145-159. (View/edit entry)	1996	ParFlow	Model overview	409
See more publications of ParFlow