tRIBS v5.2: A multi-resolution, parallel platform for tributary hydrology in forest applications

Authors: RAMING, L - Arizona State University; VIVONI, ENRIQUE - Arizona State University; MASCARO, GIUSEPPE - Arizona State University; CEDERSTROM, C - Arizona State University; KO, ARA - Arizona State University; Schreiner-Mcgraw, Adam; LIZARRAGA-CELAYA, CARLOS - Arizona State University

Submitted to: Journal of Open Source Software
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2024
Publication Date: 9/10/2024
Citation: Raming, L.W., Vivoni, E.R., Mascaro, G., Cederstrom, C.J., Ko, A., Schreiner-Mcgraw, A.P., Lizarraga-Celaya, C. 2024. tRIBS v5.2: A multi-resolution, parallel platform for tributary hydrology in forest applications. Journal of Open Source Software. 9(101). Article 6747. https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.06747
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.06747

Interpretive Summary: Distributed hydrologic models provide earth scientists and engineers with tools to test and explore hypotheses related to the movement and storage of water within a landscape. The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)-based Real-Time Integrated Basin Simulator [tRIBS], an example of such a process-based distributed model, has been used to address a wide range of problems from hillslope scale processes in ecohydrology to flood management of large watersheds. Yet, in spite of the extensive use and application of tRIBS to current topics in hydrology, engineering, and the earth sciences, the code has been essentially maintained as a proprietary software. Here, we document the release of tRIBS v5.2, an updated open source code base and its application for forested watersheds that serve as tributaries to larger river systems. This release includes improvements in hydrologic processes (i.e. channel transmission losses and reservoir routing) as well as an updated documentation, improved infrastructure for sustainable code development and employment, and improved computational efficiency. These additions provide a robust and sustainable code base that will enhance access and applications of the model.

Technical Abstract: Distributed hydrologic models provide earth scientists and engineers with tools to test and explore hypotheses related to the movement and storage of water within a landscape (Fatichi et al., 2016; Grayson et al., 2002; Keller et al., 2023). The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)-based Real-Time Integrated Basin Simulator [tRIBS; Ivanov et al. (2004a), Ivanov et al. (2004b)], an example of such a process-based distributed model, has been used to address a wide range of problems from hillslope scale processes in ecohydrology (e.g. Mahmood & Vivoni (2011)) to flood management of large watersheds (e.g. Cázares-Rodríguez et al. (2017)). Yet, in spite of the extensive use and application of tRIBS to current topics in hydrology, engineering, and the earth sciences, the code has been essentially maintained as a proprietary software. Here, we document the release of tRIBS v5.2, an updated open source code base and its application for forested watersheds that serve as tributaries to larger river systems. This release includes improvements in hydrologic processes (i.e. channel transmission losses and reservoir routing; Schreiner-McGraw & Vivoni (2018); Cázares-Rodríguez et al. (2017)) as well as an updated documentation, improved infrastructure for sustainable code development and employment, and improved computational efficiency. These additions provide a robust and sustainable code base that will enhance access and applications of the model.