QSWATMOD2

QSWATMOD2 is an open-source QGIS plugin developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research that streamlines the setup, coupling, execution, and analysis of integrated SWAT–MODFLOW models. Designed for QGIS 3, it provides a guided, map-centric workflow to prepare spatial inputs, link SWAT subbasins and HRUs with a MODFLOW grid and stream network, configure pumping and boundary conditions, and run the coupled model directly from QGIS. By consolidating pre- and post-processing in one place, QSWATMOD2 helps practitioners evaluate groundwater–surface water interactions for watershed to basin-scale studies.

Key capabilities:

• Project wizard for organizing data and projections; imports DEM, land use/land cover, soils, climate, and well data
• Automated mapping between SWAT hydrologic units and the MODFLOW grid, including stream–aquifer exchanges and recharge linkages
• Tools to build and edit MODFLOW layers and properties from GIS layers; generation of recharge from SWAT outputs
• One-click execution of the coupled model with progress monitoring and detailed logs
• Visualization of heads, drawdown, recharge, streamflow, and water balance components, with scenario comparison tools
• Calibration-ready structure compatible with common workflows (e.g., SWAT-CUP and PEST, managed by the user)
• Scenario management for land-use change, pumping strategies, climate variation, and management practices

Typical uses include conjunctive water management, pumping impact assessments, baseflow and stream depletion analysis, managed aquifer recharge planning, and education. QSWATMOD2 is intended for hydrologists, water resource modelers, researchers, and agencies seeking a transparent, reproducible, and efficient way to build and analyze integrated surface water–groundwater models.

System notes: Requires QGIS 3.x on Windows and working installations of SWAT and MODFLOW executables.

QSWATMOD2 is developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The most popular versions of this product among our users are: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6 and 2.7.