BASINS 4.0 Description

Installation software that contains the BASINS Version 4.0 system, data download tool, full documentation in the pulldown help menu, and the tutorial project and data (HUC-02060006) is now available. BASINS 4.0 contains the installation program for an open source GIS program (MapWindow ). Models supported in the current version of BASINS 4.0 are WinHSPF, SWAT, SWMM, WASP, and PLOAD and the tools GenScn and WDMUtil. BASINS 4.0 also contains a link to AQUATOX.

(WinHSPF is the Windows interface to HSPF Version 12. GenScn is a model post processing and scenario analysis tool that is used to analyze output from HSPF and SWAT. WDMUtil is used to manage and create the watershed data management files (WDMs) that contain the meteorological data and other time series data used by HSPF. PLOAD is a GIS and spreadsheet tool to calculate nonpoint sources of pollution in watersheds. AQUATOX is a fate and effects model for aquatic ecosystems.)

The biggest change in BASINS 4.0 is the open source GIS software and the ability to transfer and share GIS standard data (shapefile, dbf, and GeoTiff) between other licensed GIS software. Also a Windows-based Climate Assessment Tool, for assessing potential impacts of changing climate on stream flows and pollutant loads has been added as a "plug-in" program which interfaces with WinHSPF.

System Requirements

BASINS Version 4.0 is an open source GIS that integrates environmental data, analysis tools, and modeling systems. Therefore, BASINS' hardware and software requirements are, at a minimum, similar to those of other PC-based GIS systems. BASINS can be installed and operated on a standalone, internet connected Windows compatible 32 bit personal computers equipped with the software, random access memory (RAM), virtual memory, and hard disk.

You must:

• be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later
• install the Microsoft .NET framework which only operates under the newer Windows operating systems. This environment requires Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or higher, Windows ME, or Windows XP. (Those running Windows 98 will require several patches and updates.)
• have about 300 MB of free disk space available. The BASINS 4 install script will prompt for the .NET Framework.
• read check the install notes for MapWindow
• read the install notes for BASINS 4.0 (included in the download)

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