SWAT+ Advanced Workshop Information

The SWAT+ Advanced Workshop is designed for participants with prior SWAT+ modeling experience. This hands-on workshop focuses on using SWAT+ Editor for land management setup (including agricultural operations, reservoir operations, and point source configuration) and SWAT+ Toolbox for hydrology and water quality calibration and validation. We will also introduce decision tables using example datasets for land management and reservoir scenarios, building on your existing knowledge to help you apply advanced tools and techniques effectively in your projects.

Recommended Background

Participants should have prior experience with SWAT+ model development. This workshop builds on the skills covered in the beginner workshop.

Software Requirements

Install QGIS Long Term Release and the latest SWAT+ Installer, which includes QSWAT+, SWAT+ Editor, and SWAT+ Toolbox. For the easiest experience during the workshop, we recommend uninstalling any old versions of the software, and installing the newest version. 

Sample Agenda

The following is an example agenda from workshops held in the past. A detailed agenda will be sent to you for the exact workshop you are attending and may differ slightly from the samples below.

Day 1: Theory, and SWAT+ Editor

8:00-9:45am

  • Introduction to the course plan

  • Model evaluation theory: performance criteria, verification and troubleshooting

  • Model sensitivity analysis theory

  • Model calibration theory

  • Q&A

9:45-10:15am

Break

10:15-12:00pm

  • Review of the training model setup (land uses, reservoirs) and its file structure

  • Introduction to SWAT+ Editor: functionality, linking structure, etc.

  • Overview of various types of agricultural practices and operations

  • Running with and without plant stresses; soft calibration in SWAT+ Editor

  • Recap and Q&A

Day 2: SWAT+ Toolbox: sensitivity analysis and calibration

8:00-9:45am

  • Review of Day 1

  • Getting started in SWAT+ Toolbox: creating a project

  • Run settings

  • Parameters and observed data configuration

  • Q&A

9:45-10:15am

Break

10:15-12:00pm

  • Sensitivity analysis in SWAT+ Toolbox

  • Manual calibration in SWAT+ Toolbox for streamflow and water quality

  • Automatic calibration in SWAT+ Toolbox for streamflow and water quality

  • Recap and Q&A

Day 3: Decision tables, scenarios and results

8:00-9:45am

  • Review of Day 2

  • Structure, functionality and types of decision tables (DTs)

  • Management DTs in SWAT+ Editor for irrigation and fertilization

  • Reservoir operations using DTs

  • Q&A

9:45-10:15am

Break

10:15-12:00pm

  • Composing DTs in SWAT+ Toolbox (hands-on)

  • Scenario analysis theory

  • Running scenarios: climate and land use scenarios

  • Exporting SWAT+ results: maps, time series and reports

  • Recap of the course and Q&A

Topics

  • Review of SWAT+ model structure, inputs, and outputs

  • Land management setup in SWAT+ Editor

  • Agricultural operations

  • Reservoir operations

  • Point source setup

  • Introduction to decision tables

  • Decision table examples for land management and reservoirs

  • Hydrology calibration and validation

  • Water quality calibration and validation

  • Use of SWAT+ Toolbox for calibration and analysis