Source Catchments enables local knowledge, data and models to be combined with industry best practice to generate effective, transparent scenarios and options.
Product info
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Source Catchments is a water quality and quantity modelling framework
that supports decision making and a whole-of-catchment modelling approach. It is designed to help natural resource managers and consultants develop targets, prioritise improvement programs and measure the effectiveness of a broad range of catchment management activities.
The software provides a framework for modelling the amounts of water and contaminants flowing though a catchment and into major rivers, wetlands, lakes, or estuaries. Source Catchments integrates an array of models, data, and knowledge that can be used to simulate how climate and catchment variables (like rainfall, evaporation, land use, vegetation) affect runoff, sediment and contaminants.
Using Source Catchments
Source Catchments allows users to answer a range of management questions, such as where to place on-ground works to maximise water quality. It can predict the flow and constituent loads at any location in any catchment over time. Scenarios can include actual or planned changes in land use, land management, climate variability and climate change. For example, Source Catchments can be used to understand issues such as:
- Quantity and quality of rainfall-driven runoff and groundwater reaching streams in the catchment under present conditions
- Alterations made to quantity and quality of runoff by climate variability, different land uses, or riverbank restoration – now, or in the future
- Optimal locations for on-ground work to maximise water quality improvement
- Impacts of bushfire, flood, drought, construction activity or water extractions on the quality of receiving waters
- The effect of land use change on water quality and quantity into receiving waters.
Key features
- Build tailored models for considering a range of catchment scenarios.
- Explore the volumes and quality of rainfall-driven runoff and groundwater.
- Predict the impact of climate change, land use or management changes on the volume and quality of runoff entering streams.
- Optimise investment and direct management action to improve water quality.
Research
Product development
Source Catchments is the software evolution of the E2 Modelling Framework which was released in 2005 thorugh the eWater Toolkit. The development of Source Catchments has been building upon its flexible framework approach to promote a higher level of adoption across the water industry.
The E2 modelling framework was designed to allow modellers and researchers to construct models by selecting and linking component models from a range of available choices. The model structure and algorithms are not fixed but can be defined by the user who can choose from a suite of available options. As a result, E2 enables a flexible modelling approach, allowing the attributes and detail of the model to vary in accordance with modelling objectives.
The Source Catchments software expands upon E2 by introducing a new level of functionality in terms of sophisticated data pre-processors and analysis tools, additional component models and a modernisation of the user interface to facilitate scenario development and reporting.
Model selection requires the user to be familiar with the detail, applicability and data requirements of component models, and the implications of joining component models. Source Catchments is therefore intended to be a tool for experienced catchment modellers.
Timeline
- E2 Modelling Framework released in 2005 (starting with E2 version 1.1.0) as a basic set of model selection, analysis and scenario tools.
- Version 1.0.0 beta released in October 2008 under the name WaterCAST. This extended the original E2 modelling framework with new models and scientific functionality.
Click on the button below view a list of Source Catchments publications.
Real world applications
eWater researchers are working with partners as they refine the tools and user interface on the basis of real world simulations. This process enhances local understanding of the capability of eWater tools in the operating environment. The following are some examples of real world applications for Source Catchments:
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Improving the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef The release of the Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan (2009) and the Reef Outlook Report highlighted the need for a critical assessment tool to report on reef catchment water quality targets and demonstrate the effectiveness of on ground management actions. Queensland’s Department of Environment and Resource Management identified Source Catchments as being at the forefront of catchment modelling, with the flexibility to allow the development of specific ‘plug-in’ modules to interface with the Department’s specific modelling needs. Source Catchments is now being used for whole-of-reef catchment modelling, to support the production of the annual Reef Report Card, and evaluate the effectiveness of current water quality programs and to guide future investment.
For more information on the Great Barrier Reef focus catchment click on the button below. To view a presentation given by Chris Carroll on the application of Source Catchments in Queensland click on the button below. |
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Future options for a sustainable water supply for Canberra
Source Catchments is being used by the ACT Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water and ACTEW Corporation to assess the impact of different scenarios on the region’s catchment water quantity and quality. These scenarios include climate change impacts on catchment water yield, change in flow dynamics from the Enlarged Cotter Dam project as well as the assessment of different environmental flow scenarios. Source Catchments is enabling the ACT Government to use a single integrated rainfall runoff modelling platform in house, instead of individual spreadsheet models for each catchment.
“This work will increase our understanding of water quantity and quality management for the wider Murray-Darling basin, not just for the ACT.” – Darryl Lindner, Water Resources Engineer, ActewAGL For more information on the ACT focus catchment click on the button below. |
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Investing in sustainable natural resource management in South Australia
The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region in South Australia covers the Barossa through to Victor Harbour and includes a mosaic of bushland remnants, farming land, and urban development. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is South Australia’s leading environmental regulator and is responsible for the protection of water quality in the state. The EPA has been using Source Catchments with the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resource Management Board to target on ground works, assess future land used changes and to look at a range of scenarios to inform the Water Quality Improvement Plan. A key feature will by the ability to assess the impact of runoof from farm dams in relation to water allocation planning. For more information on the Mount Lofty Ranges focus catchment click on the button below. To view a presentation given by Shaun Thomas on the application of Source Catchments in South Australia click on the button below. |
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Protecting Sydney’s water supply
The Nattai River is located to the south-west of Sydney, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales The river is one of several tributaries which flow directly into Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s main source of drinking water. Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is working with the Sydney Catchment Authority to develop a Source Catchments model to assess and determine flows and pollutant loads entering Lake Burragorang from the Nattai River. The model is to be used to ascertain the key locations of diffuse pollutant sources in the catchment and the relative importance of point sources in the catchment, such as sewage treatment works and intensive farming lots. For more information on the Nattai-Cattai focus catchment click on the button below. |
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Evaluating the return on investment of on ground works The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) is a natural resource management organisation in southern Queensland, covering more than 260,000 km2 or 15% of Queensland and 25% of the Murray-Darling Basin. The QMDC has been using Source Catchments as means of reporting to State and Federal Government on the effectiveness of the investment in on ground works in improving water quality in the catchment. QDMC also uses Source Catchments as a communication tool for demonstrating to landcare groups and farmers the reductions in soil and nutrient loss that can be achieved from changed land management practices. For more information on the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee case study click on the button below. |
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Nerang River freshwater health assessment study The Nerang River in South East Queensland begins in the McPherson Range in the Gold Coast hinterland and runs through Gold Coast City. Its catchment receives some of the highest rainfalls in this region, with a mean annual total of more than 1,300 mm. Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) was commissioned by Gold Coast City Council to develop a set of management tools for the mid to upper sections of the Nerang River which included the development of a Source Catchments model. For more information on the Nerang River case study click on the button below. |
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Hornsby total water cycle management strategy
Hornsby Shire is located on the northern fringe of the Sydney Metropolitan Area. More than two-thirds of Hornsby Shire is zoned National Park and Nature Reserve with the freshwater and estuarine environments generally in very good condition. However, there is increasing pressure for development within Hornsby Shire, which could place pressure on these freshwater and estuarine environments. To help Hornsby Shire Council manage and plan for development, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) developed an interactive tool based on Source Catchments. For more information on the Hornsby case study click on the button below. |
Licencing & Pricing
eWater is waiving the annual license and support fee for Source Catchments in the first year. Source Catchments is licenced on an annual basis. The annual fee covers the licence, maintenance and support costs for 12 months.
Standard support, which is free in the first year, is provided to you once you sign up and download Source Catchments. Premium support is charged and provides direct access to the eWater telephone support desk for 12 months. Details on support packages are provided on the Support page. After the first year the annual fee includes Premium support (not Standard Support) as well as the licence and maintenance (upgrades).
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact eWater on +61 1300-5-WATER (1300 592 837) or email us at support@ewater.com.au.
Standard licence
Please note that these licences are only able to be used on the computer where the licence is first activated. The licence can only be transferred to another computer by contacting the eWater.
| Options* | Normal price (incl GST) | First year price (incl GST) | First year saving | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single copy of Source Catchments active for 12 months from activation and renewable every 12 months (Includes licence, maintenance and Standard Support). | $990 per copy per annum | $0 per copy | $990 per copy | Buy online |
| Premium Support (12 months) is only available during the first year. This adds telephone support on top of the Standard Support package. | n/a | $990 | n/a | Buy online |
* Notes:
- There is no trial version of the product available as a customer can use the full version in the first year without incurring a charge. This is subject to change.
- Prices subject to change.
- Prices are for the Australian market only. Please contact eWater for International prices.
- If you are interested in a network version of Source Catchments or have any other Source Catchments licencing needs or questions please contact eWater on 1300-5-Water (1300 592 837) or email us at support@ewater.com.au
Licence Agreement
View a copy of the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) for Source Catchments.
Please be aware of the following before you use Source Catchments
System Requirements: Source Catchments will not work on all computer operating systems please check the Systems Requirements button for more information.
Effective use of Source Catchments requires a level of modeling and water science experience. The following is an excerpt from the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) to note.
Technical limitations and disclaimer: The Software is a conceptual design tool and should be used by the End User only as an aid to decision-making. The Software does not incorporate all aspects of catchment management that decision-makers must consider. Factors such as land and soil characteristics, ecological requirements, amenity, passive recreation, and land use also influence catchment modelling. Hydraulic analysis, indicators of ecosystem health, and the integration of urban water management considerations are omitted from the model.
When installing Source Catchments you will be asked to accept the terms and conditions of the EULA to activate the product. eWater assumes you have read and understood and accepted the terms and conditions of the EULA through that process. A copy of the EULA is provided above for reference.
Click on the button below to review the Source Catchments release notes.
Support
eWater is waiving the annual license and support fee for Source Catchments in the first year.
Standard support, which is free, is provided to you once you sign up and download Source Catchments. Premium support is charged and provides direct access to the eWater telephone support desk. Support offering details are provided below. After the first year an annual fee for use of the product will be charged and within this fee Premium support will be provided.
To find out more or access Source Catchments support, click on the button below.
Click on the button below to view Systems Requirements for Source Catchments.
Training
Users can improve how they use Source Catchments by participating in our new and exciting training packages.
There’s a course for new users called ‘Getting to Know Source Catchments’ for those starting out or with limited experience of Source Catchments. There’s a course for those wanting to know how to ramp up their skills to solve more complex catchment management issues called ‘Intermediate Source Catchments’. Both courses will be offered either face to face or online depending on how you like to learn.
All you need to do is pick which course suits you and register your interest or call us on 1300-5-Water and an eWater training representative can get you started.
We are also happy to run a course just for your company or department at any time, please call us on 1300-5-Water for more information.
Click on the button below for more information on available training.