AlterrAqua

The main AlterrAqua programme is rather versatile. It allows users to:

• Create and manage alternative models and scenarios
• Start, monitor and evaluate preprocessing of input data
• Start, monitor and evaluate a simulation
• Start, monitor and evaluate post-processing of data

The main AlterrAqua programme is in fact a configurable interface for computational components which implement:

• Conversion of GIS files to formats suitable for model input
• Preprocessing of input data
• Processing of intermediate data
• Visualising model output

In a number of respects, AlterrAqua assists the user in following the guidelines of Good Modelling Practice (STOWA/RIZA, 1999).

Questions AlterrAqua

In combination with a geographic information system - e.g. ArcGIS, Quantum GIS or ILWIS – the AlterrAqua suite helps to acquire insight into processes occurring at a regional scale (1:10000 to 1:50000). Thus the user can get answers to the following questions:

• How does the water system react to extreme events?
• Where do floods occur?
• How is the flood damage to agriculture distributed geographically?
• Where should we expect flood damage to agriculture after implementing particular technical measures?
• How does the groundwater fluctuate under normal, dry or wet climatic circumstances and where should we expect problems?
• How does the water balance react to expected climate change?
• Which measures are favourable for realising the right conditions for the desired land use forms?
• Up to which area does seepage reach into the polder?
• Where should we expect water shortages and / or reduced evapotranspiration?
• What is the geographic distribution of groundwater level classes?