Technical note: Extending the SWAT model to transport  chemicals through tile and groundwater flow

Rathjens, Hendrik; Kiesel, Jens; Winchell, Michael; Arnold, Jeffrey; Sur, Robin

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-159-2023

Articles | Volume 27, issue 1

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-159-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-159-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 27, issue 1

Technical note

|

09 Jan 2023

Technical note |

| 09 Jan 2023

Technical note: Extending the SWAT model to transport chemicals through tile and groundwater flow

Hendrik Rathjens, Jens Kiesel, Michael Winchell, Jeffrey Arnold, and Robin Sur

Model code and software

SWAT code capable to route chemicals through tile drains and groundwater H. Rathjens, M. Winchell, and J. Arnold https://github.com/StoneEnv/SwatPestTileGw

Short summary

The SWAT model can simulate the transport of water-soluble chemicals through the landscape but neglects the transport through groundwater or agricultural tile drains. These transport pathways are, however, important to assess the amount of chemicals in streams. We added this capability to the model, which significantly improved the simulation. The representation of all transport pathways in the model enables watershed managers to develop robust strategies for reducing chemicals in streams.