There are many hydrologic models available that can be freely downloaded and used to achieve your research objective. However, not all the models will serve your purpose. Some features of those models will be unnecessary for one scholar but may be very useful for other researchers. Even then also more the number of features offered by the model more favorable will it be to the researchers. The frequency of updates will be another parameter that must be included when making a selection among the available hydrologic models. Higher the frequency more preferred it will be. As more updates mean the model is developing itself. The developers are still trying to improve the model functionality, which is a welcome feature of open-source models. The availability of tutorials or help files is another important parameter that is also very influential in selecting a hydrologic model for using in a real-time research problem. Accuracy and reliability are also significant. When the error of the predictions is more accurate and reliable, it will make the model more preferable than the model with a higher error percentage. The applicability or whether the data file can be exported into standard file formats is also a parameter for consideration and, again, whether standard files are importable is also essential. The versatility in file import, as well as export, is a significant driver. Unit Convertibility or prediction from the models must be accessible in different units. If this feature is absent, the model becomes restricted and can be used for specific scale and location problems only. The Spatial Resolution of the model is also an important consideration. Coordinate Transformation or simulating under different coordinates can also be a parameter to be considered before deciding to use the software in the research problem. Although the parameters discussed are not all equally important. For example, the most significant parameters that must be considered first before selecting the model is the Ease of Use. This feature is the most significant driver for the utilization of the software. If the software is not easy to use and learn, most users will reject it. Less the learning time more will be the using time. Now, as not all the parameters are equally significant, it is better to use ODM to identify the best free hydrology software by considering the parameters on which the decision depends, considering the difference of significance that exists between them.
Here the Criteria of selection is :
1)Number of Useful Features
2)Frequency of Updates
3)Availability of Tutorials/Help file
4)Accuracy and Reliability
5)Applicability
6)Spatial Resolution
7)Coordinate Transformation
8)Ease of Use/Learning Time
The list of open-source hydrologic models (the most popular five models were considered here)
1)HECHMS
2)SWAT
3)HYSIM-CC
4)AQUATOR
5)FREEWAT
The criteria may be scored based on the significance you want to assign to the parameters while selecting one among the available free hydrologic models. The free models, as depicted above, can be scored concerning the model's characteristics for the eight selected parameters. For example, if the number of useful features for HECHMS, SWAT, HYSIM, AQUATOR, and FREEWAT is 12,14,8,18 and 10, respectively. Then score for the criteria Number of Useful Features will be (12/18)x100, i.e.,(Value for present model/ maximum value among all models)x100{This can also be (Value for present model/ summation of all values of all models)x100. Similarly, convert the values into scores for other models concerning the remaining criteria and click Update to get the most preferred hydrologic model as per your requirement and necessity.
Founding and Honorary Editor
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