🌾 SwaNET Documentation

Quick Tutorials — 20 Step-by-Step Guides

Progressive skill-building tutorials for SwaNET, the MAGNET4WATER SWAT-based watershed modeling platform. From loading your first saved model through interactive watershed creation and the one-click express workflow.

SwaNET runs USDA SWAT (Soil & Water Assessment Tool) on the web — no desktop install, no GIS license. These 20 tutorials walk you from 5-minute starter workflows through full interactive watershed creation, plus a one-click express path. Use the left-side navigation to jump to any tutorial, or filter by keyword.

Part 1: Model Loading & Calibration

Load a SWAT model, bring in real weather, calibrate manually and automatically, run simulations, and visualize results.

1 Load SwaNET Model

Upload saved models, import ArcSWAT/QSWAT, load from server, or select by watershed location
2 Load Observed Weather Data

Replace simulated weather with NOAA/PRISM/CFSR real-world observations
3 Manual Model Calibration

Interactively adjust parameters and compare to observed streamflow with NSE and PBIAS metrics
4 Auto Model Calibration

NSGA-II multi-objective optimization against USGS gage observations
5 Run SWAT Simulation

Configure dates, print options, output variables, and water balance settings
6 Result Visualization

Plot time series for subbasins/reaches, 2D maps, watershed summaries, and downloads
7 Save & Publish Model

Download your SWAT model, generate groundwater recharge rasters, publish to Observatory
8 Map Options & Overlays

Manage overlay maps, markers, transparency, legends, and 3D terrain
9 Subbasin Click Options

Click any subbasin on the map to edit data, plot time series, inspect HRUs

Part 2: Update Modeling Workflows

Modify land use mid-simulation, update management operations, manage crop schedules, and estimate pollutant loads with LOADEST.

10 Update Land Use During Simulation

Modify land cover types mid-run using .lup files — simulate urbanization, reforestation, crop conversion
11 Update Management Operations

Schedule non-recurring conservation practices, tillage, irrigation, BMPs
12 Crop Management

Planting schedules, harvest, rotations, heat units, irrigation, fertilization
13 LOADEST Tool for Pollutant Loads

USGS LOADEST for estimating N, P, sediment loads via rating curves and prediction

Part 3: Interactive Model Creation from Scratch

Build a SWAT watershed model end-to-end: DEM → stream network → outlets → HRUs → SWAT input files.

14 Watershed Delineation & Stream Network

Load DEM from DataNET, create stream networks, delineate watershed for SWAT
15 Outlet Selection & Finalize Watershed

Select outlets, use USGS gauging stations, merge small subbasins, finalize delineation
16 HRU Creation

Generate Hydrologic Response Units from land use × soil × slope intersections
17 Finalize HRUs & Write SWAT Input Files

Filter HRUs by area threshold, download reports, generate SWAT input files
18 Manage Maps & 3D View

Map overlays, legends, 3D terrain visualization, animation, publish to Observatory
19 Complete Model Creation (End-to-End)

Full Kalamazoo River example — from DEM to SWAT input files in one walkthrough

Part 4: ⚡ One-Click Model Creation

Everything in tutorials 1-19 — DEM loading, stream delineation, outlet selection, watershed partitioning, HRU creation, weather data, USGS gage linkage — happens automatically. Use the saved time for refinement, calibration, scenario analysis, and management insight.

20 Building a SWAT Watershed Model in One Click

Generate a complete SWAT model in one click — DEM, land use, soil, climate, and USGS/Canada gauges fused automatically; then refine, calibrate, and visualize