HSPF Expertise

The Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) is a cornerstone for many of the services that AQUA TERRA provides. HSPF is commonly recognized as the most complete and defensible process-based watershed model for quantifying runoff and addressing water quality impairments associated with combined point and nonpoint sources. Since its initial development nearly twenty years ago, the HSPF model has been applied throughout North America and numerous countries and climatic regimes around the world; it enjoys the joint sponsorship of both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey, and continues to undergo refinement and enhancement of its component simulation capabilities along with user support and code maintenance activities. In addition to process-oriented enhancements, recent years have seen significant development efforts directed towards improved user interaction. Among these are:

HSPEXP, an expert system for calibrating the hydrologic component of HSPF

GenScn, a software product that provides the ability to change an HSPF input sequence interactively, run the model, and analyze results graphically

WinHSPF, an independent interactive interface to HSPF that is also fully integrated with the BASINS 3.0 modeling system

WDMUtil, a tool used to manage and create the watershed data management files (WDMs) that contain the meteorological data and other time series data used by HSPF

HSPFParm, a tool for organizing a database of HSPF parameter values

BASINS integration of HSPF which enables seamless use of the model in conjunction with national watershed data and geographic information systems (GIS) capabilities.

HSPF Windows Help software, a hypertext version of the user's manual

Continuing enhancement of the HSPF model

HSPF workshops of various formats and duration have been conducted by AQUA TERRA staff over the past 15 years, sometimes with assistance and computer support provided by client personnel.

To encourage the informed use of HSPF, we have collected, and periodically update, an HSPF bibliography that includes useful references related to both model development and applications.

AQUA TERRA Consultants is truly uniquely qualified to provide the full scope of support services related to the HSPF modeling system. In all, we have provided nearly $9 million of HSPF-related services to our clients. Highlights of our HSPF-related experience:

AQUA TERRA staff were principal scientists in the original development of HSPF.

As the EPA maintenance contractor, since the initial release of HSPF in 1980, all code changes and new releases have been performed by AQUA TERRA, in conjunction with the EPA Athens Laboratory and the USGS Office of Surface Water.

Since 1981, AQUA TERRA staff have been the principal authors of all versions of the HSPF User's Manual and the HSPF Application Guide.

Since 1981, AQUA TERRA personnel have supported or performed HSPF applications in 23 states, Saudi Arabia and Australia. We have used HSPF to model over 100 different watersheds, ranging in size from small test watersheds to the entire Chesapeake Bay Basin.

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