VIC-Res Mekong: Hydrological Model for the Mekong River basin
Authors/Creators
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1.
Cornell University
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2.
National University of Singapore
Description
This repository contains the VIC-Res model for the Mekong River Basin (including both runoff generation and streamflow routing components) along with input and output datasets.
Updates in This Release
This release includes updated reservoir parameter files for the Mekong routing network. The updates include: 1) addition of new reservoirs to the routing system, 2) updates to reservoir storage and operational parameters; 3) revised reservoir operation strategies for improved representation of reservoir regulation. These changes improve the representation of reservoir operations and water management infrastructure in the Mekong River Basin model. This version (v2.1.1) updates the reservoir parameterization file by incorporating the actual operational start year for each reservoir. In contrast to v2.1, which assumed a uniform start year of 1950 for all dams, this revision improves the temporal realism of reservoir representation within the model.
Minor updates were made to the VIC-Res routing model to improve compatibility with VIC4.2 and VIC5 workflows, including support for reading grid latitude and longitude from input files. For more information on the model structure, usage, and implementation, please visit: https://github.com/Critical-Infrastructure-Systems-Lab/VICRes
Note that the updated version released here includes new and revised reservoir parameters, and has not yet been recalibrated. Calibration and validation of the updated version are currently in progress. Version 2.0 also includes the scripts required for model calibration, allowing users to perform the calibration if needed. In addition, the calibration files from the previous version are provided and may still be used if desired.
This work is published in Environmental Modelling & Software:
Eldardiry, H., Mahto, S. S., Fatichi, S., & Galelli, S. (2025). VIC-Res Mekong: An open-source hydrological-water management model for the Mekong River Basin. Environmental Modelling & Software.
Files
routing.zip
Files
(2.2 GB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
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md5:06c3c99b7770d609c6cfc7b228173eb6
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6.9 MB | Preview Download |
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md5:4899bd9732c33fcfb8012ac90f13b879
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2.2 GB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Software
- Repository URL
- https://github.com/Critical-Infrastructure-Systems-Lab/VICRes
- Programming language
- C , Fortran , Python
- Development Status
- Active
References
- Galelli, S., Dang, T.D., Ng, J.Y., Chowdhury, A.F.M.K., Arias, M.E. (2022) Opportunities to curb hydrological alterations via dam re-operation in the Mekong. Nature Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00971-z.
- Dang, T.D., Vu, T.D. Chowdhury, K., Galelli, S. (2020) A software package for the representation and optimization of water reservoir operations in the VIC hydrologic model. Environmental Modelling & Software, 126, 104673.
- Dang, T.D., Chowdhury, AFMK, Galelli, S. (2020) On the representation of water reservoir storage and operations in large-scale hydrological models: implications on model parameterization and climate change impact assessments. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24, 397–416.