1.   Purpose and objectives

     The new EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which shall be implemented by all EU nations by2004, calls for more profound water-quality assessment and planning in Europe. Water-quality models are powerful tools for efficient water management and planning. The environmental problems that have been approached so far include, e.g., eutrophication, acidification, and emission dispersion. Different approaches to model water-quality have been identified, and there is a large variety of model concepts available. However, many of these are still applied on a research basis or are site specific. More frequent water-quality modelling in Europe would be beneficial for decision-makers and for the introduction of the WFD, but yet no review or compilation of present European model applications is available. Hence, it is not easy for water managers to know what models to apply. To provide an overview of European model applications, and thereby assist water managers in model selection, this report was prepared for WMO:s Working Group on Hydrology Regional Association VI (Europe).

2.   Description

     Extensive integration and coupling of hydrological models with water quality models have been performed during the last 20 years. Independently of which part in the hydrological cycle is considered, most of these models origin from the U.S.A., but some have also been modified and applied for
European conditions and others are developed within Europe. This report includes a compilation of the most frequently applied models in Europe at present, categorised according to scale and hydrological compartment or domain modelled. Models included are:

Catchment scale (AGNPS, HBV-N, INCA, MAGIC, MERLIN, MIKE SHE, SHETRAN, SMART, SWAT);

Soil water and field scale (ANIMO, EPIC, GLEAMS, HYDRUS/SWMS, MACRO, PEARL, PRZM, SOILN, WAVE);

Groundwater (ASM/ASMWIN, MODFLOW/MT3D/RT3D);

River channels (AQUASIM, CE-QUAL, MIKE11, PC-QUASAR, QUAL2E, TELEMAC);

Lakes (DELWAQ-BLOOM-SWITCH (DBS), DYRESM, LIMNOD, PC-LAKE (PCLOOS),(PH-ALA);

Urban stormwater (MOUSE, SWMM);

Coastal zone (BSHdmod, DELFT3D, MIKE21, SCOOBI).

In total 36 models are described briefly but thoroughly with webpage addresses, information of European distribution and references in refereed journals. The report also presents some decision support systems and on-going model comparisons in Europe. Moreover, the results are given from a questionnaire on model applications distributed among authorities in Europe, and finally, water quality modellers are recommended to contribute to a meta-database, which is available on WWW.

3.   Input

     Not applicable.

4.   Output

     Not applicable.

5.   Operational requirements and restrictions

     None.

6.   Form of presentation

     Report in English of 47 pages and 8 tables.

7.   Operational experience

     Not applicable.

8.   Originator and technical support

     The report was written by Berit Arheimer and Jonas Olsson at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).

9.   Availability

     - In pdf format: downloadable by clicking here (pdf document).
     - In printed format: From the Swedish HOMS National Reference Centre, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SE-601 76 Norrköping, Sweden.

10.  Conditions on use

     Subject to the usual laws of copyright with respect to reproduction and distribution..