Model:WaterGAP

WaterGAP

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	2D
Spatial extent	Global
Model domain	Hydrology
One-line model description	WaterGAP is a global hydrological model that quantifies human use of groundwater and surface water as well as water flows and water storage and thus water resources on all land areas of the Earth
Extended model description	WaterGAP (Water — Global Analysis and Prognosis) is a global freshwater model that simulates water flows and storage across all continents, computing both hydrological components (runoff, groundwater recharge, river discharge, soil/surface water storage) and sectoral water use (irrigation, livestock, households, manufacturing, and power plant cooling). Developed since 1996 and now maintained at Goethe University Frankfurt, it runs at a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° (~55 × 55 km at the equator) with daily time steps, and is widely used to assess water scarcity, drought, flood risk, and the impacts of climate and socioeconomic change on global freshwater resources.

Keywords:	Global hydrological model, Water scarcity, Freshwater resources,

Supported platforms	Unix, Linux, Mac OS
Other platform
Programming language	C++
Other program language
Code optimized	Single Processor
Multiple processors implemented
Nr of distributed processors
Nr of shared processors
Start year development	1996
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'?	2026
Model availability	As code
Source code availability (Or provide future intension)	Through web repository
Source web address	https://github.com/HydrologyFrankfurt/WaterGAP2
Source csdms web address
Program license type	GPL v3
Program license type other
Memory requirements	--
Typical run time	--

Describe input parameters	Precipitation, downward longwave radiation, downward shortwave radiation, temperature,, Potential consumptive use from irrigation via surface water, Potential water withdrawal from irrigation via surface water, Potential net abstractions from surface water, and Potential net abstractions from groundwater.
Input format	Binary
Other input format	netcdf
Describe output parameters	treamflow, total runoff, evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, groundwater discharge, groundwater recharge (diffuse and focused), surface runoff, soil moisture, snow water equivalent, total water storage, canopy/groundwater/wetland/lake/river/reservoir storage, actual water consumption from groundwater and surface water, leaf area index, precipitation, river velocity, snow processes (fall, melt, evap), etc.
Output format	Binary
Other output format
Pre-processing software needed?	No
Describe pre-processing software
Post-processing software needed?	No
Describe post-processing software
Visualization software needed?	Yes
If above answer is yes
Other visualization software	Panoply

Describe processes represented by the model	--
Describe key physical parameters and equations	--
Describe length scale and resolution constraints	--
Describe time scale and resolution constraints	--
Describe any numerical limitations and issues	--

Describe available calibration data sets
Upload calibration data sets if available:
Describe available test data sets
Upload test data sets if available:
Describe ideal data for testing

Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers?

Is there a manual available?	No
Upload manual if available:
Model website if any	http://www.watergap.de/
Model forum / discussion board

Comments

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Can be coupled with:

Model info

Authors

Petra Döll

Source code

DOI

Model citations

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Featured reference(s)	Open Access Status	Year	Type of Reference	Cited
Müller Schmied, Hannes; Cáceres, Denise; Eisner, Stephanie; Flörke, Martina; Herbert, Claudia; Niemann, Christoph; Peiris, Thedini Asali; Popat, Eklavyya; Portmann, Felix Theodor; Reinecke, Robert; Schumacher, Maike; Shadkam, Somayeh; Telteu, Camelia-Eliza; Trautmann, Tim; Döll, Petra; 2021. The global water resources and use model WaterGAP v2.2d: model description and evaluation. Geoscientific Model Development, 141037–1079. 10.5194/gmd-14-1037-2021	cc-by · publishedVersion	2021	a module overview describing a module	384