WRIMS

Criterion

Explanation

Developer

California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

Hardware computing requirements

XA Solver Hardware Key if using XA solver for optimization.

Code language

C++ (Cbc solver) / WRESL (model implementations) / Eclipse (GUI environment)

Original application

Generalized water resources modeling system for evaluating operational alternatives in large, complex river basins.

Public/proprietary and cost

WRIMS framework: Eclipse Public License, version 1.0
XA Solver (one of two solver options, the other is free): Proprietary, $1650

Physically or empirically based

Empirically based.

Mathematical methods used

Surface water is represented as a network of nodes and channels. Model objectives and constraints are optimized via Linear Programming

Input data requirements

WRIMS is a generalized framework. Input data will vary by application.

Outputs

WRIMS is a generalized framework. Outputs will vary by application but generally include channel flows and allocation decisions.

Representation of uncertainty

No explicit representation in the model output; could be implemented with multiple scenarios

Prevalence

WRIMS is the underlying framework for Calsim, the de-facto standard for planning California Central Valley operations and Delivery Reliability Report studies

Ease of use for public entities

The WRIMS GUI is based on Eclipse, a well-known IDE with extensive training material and documentation. Ease of use for an application of WRIMS depends on how suitable the WRESL language is for expressing the constraints of that application.

Ease of obtaining information and availability of technical support

There is a WRIMS user group, and DWR support contacts can answer some classes of self-contained questions.

Source code availability

Eclipse and the Cbc solver are both open source. XA Solver is proprietary. Source code for WRESL parsing does not appear to be publicly listed on the WRIMS website.

Status of model development

WRIMS is being actively developed in support of the newest version of the Calsim model.