🌾 SwaNET · Quick Tutorial 1 of 19

Load SwaNET Model

Load a SWAT model into SwaNET from multiple sources: saved MagnetSWAT files, ArcSWAT/QSWAT projects, the MAGNET server, or by selecting a watershed location.

SwaNET Tutorial 1Prereq: MAGNET4WATER Account5 min read

What You Will Learn

Four Loading MethodsUpload MagnetSWAT files, import ArcSWAT/QSWAT projects, load from server, or select by location
Model CompatibilitySwaNET accepts models from multiple SWAT platforms including ArcSWAT and QSWAT
Quick StartPre-processed models available by watershed location for instant setup

0Getting Started

Before running simulations, calibrating, or visualizing results, you need to load a SWAT model into the SwaNET platform. SwaNET supports four loading methods, making it compatible with models created within MAGNET4WATER or externally using ArcSWAT or QSWAT.

ℹ️

What is a SWAT model? The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a river basin-scale model that simulates hydrology, sediment transport, and nutrient cycling. SwaNET is MAGNET4WATER's web-based platform for running and calibrating SWAT models.

To access the SwaNET menu: click Other Tools, then LoadModel, then SWAT Model. The SwaNET main menu appears. Click Load MagnetSWAT to open the loading interface.

Finding SWAT menu and SwaNET main menu
Figure 1. Finding SWAT menu and SwaNET main menu
SwaNET project loading interface
Figure 3. SwaNET project loading interface

1Upload a Saved MagnetSWAT Model

This is the primary method for loading models created within the MAGNET4WATER platform.

Upload a New File

  1. Make sure Upload MagnetSWAT file is selected.
  2. Check Import and click it. Browse to your MagnetSWAT file and upload.
  3. Click Next. The model is extracted and the watershed boundary is displayed on the map.

Load a Previously Uploaded File

  1. Click Use Uploaded File and select from the list of previously uploaded files.
  2. Click Next.
SwaNET project loaded to M4W SwaNET
Figure 4. SwaNET project loaded to M4W SwaNET

2Upload Local SWAT Files

This method lets you import SWAT projects created using ArcSWAT or QSWAT. You need to prepare two zip files.

💡

Understanding SWAT file structure: A SWAT project consists of input files (in TxtInOut folder) that define the model, and shape files (in Watershed/Shapes folder) that define the spatial layout. Both are needed for SwaNET to display and run the model.

Prepare Your Files

  1. Zip input files: Navigate to your SWAT project folder, then Scenarios, Default, TxtInOut. Remove all output files (output.*). Select all remaining files, right-click, and compress to a zip file.
  2. Zip shape files: Navigate to Watershed, Shapes. Select all stream network (riv1.*) and subbasin (subs1.shp) files. Compress to a second zip file.
  3. In SwaNET, check Upload local SWAT files. Upload the input zip, then the shape zip. Click Next.

3Load from MAGNET4WATER Server

Load the most recent SwaNET project you saved to the server. This is useful when continuing work on an existing model.

  1. Click Next under "Load Latest SWAT Project From the Server." The model files are extracted and loaded automatically.

4Select SWAT Project by Location

Select a pre-processed SwaNET model by clicking a point on the map. This is the fastest way to get started with a model for a specific watershed.

  1. The current map coordinates are displayed. Adjust the latitude and longitude if needed, or click on the map.
  2. Select the watershed level (Level 5 is the default, corresponding to HUC 10-digit watersheds).
  3. Click Next. A pre-processed model for that watershed is loaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file formats does SwaNET accept?
SwaNET accepts MagnetSWAT files (created within the platform) and zipped SWAT input/shape files from ArcSWAT or QSWAT projects.
Can I load a model created in ArcSWAT or QSWAT?
Yes. Zip the TxtInOut input files and the Watershed/Shapes files separately, then upload both using the "Upload local SWAT files" option.
What are pre-processed models?
MAGNET4WATER provides pre-built SWAT models for selected watersheds worldwide. Select by location to load one instantly without going through the full model creation process.