Catchment-scale farm dam modelling in a modern, open-source application
The Runoff Dam Impact Simulator, or RODIS, is HARC’s open-source application for modelling the effects of runoff dams, commonly called farm dams, on streamflow at the catchment scale.
RODIS provides a modern implementation of modelling methods previously applied using the STEDI software package.
Key capabilities
RODIS provides:
- command-line execution for repeatable and automated modelling
- forward simulation of flows affected by farm dams
- back-calculation of estimated flows without farm dams
- the capability to add, remove or change dams during a simulation
- scenario analysis of current and projected dam development
- model setup using standard GIS data, including shapefiles and GeoPackages
- output to Source-compatible .res.csv files
- 48 documented synthetic scenarios with generated RODIS outputs, which have been validated against the legacy STEDI version 1.2
RODIS is designed for efficient simulation of catchments containing large numbers of dams. Its outputs can be reviewed using the Source Results Manager or other software capable of reading CSV files.
Verification and example scenarios
The public repository includes 48 simple synthetic catchment scenarios. These cover single dams, dams in series and parallel, branched networks, different demand models, low-flow bypasses, winterfill pumping, and both impacted-flow and unimpacted-flow solution modes.
Download and source code
The public release includes:
- the RODIS source code
- a self-contained Windows application
- user and technical documentation
- automated tests
- 48 synthetic example catchments
- version history and release notes
RODIS is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3, which allows the software to be used, studied and modified while requiring distributed derivatives to remain available under the same open-source licence.
Development and acknowledgement
Development and validation of RODIS were supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. By making RODIS openly available, HARC aims to support continuity with established farm dam impact assessments, while improving the transparency, reproducibility and long-term maintainability of catchment-scale runoff dam modelling.