Mechanisms of coupling in river flow simulation systems

Integrated modelling approaches for whole river catchments require the coupling of different types of models. As an example, river flow and forecast models in one- and two-space dimensions are discussed. Usually, these models are based on the hyperbolic shallow water equations and require special discretizations like ENO or Godunov-type methods. The basic coupling mechanisms like coupling via source terms, via boundary conditions, via state variables and simulator coupling are introduced by examples. Their properties with respect to performance and accuracy requirements and implementation issues are presented. If coupling conditions are considered, additional algebraic equations arise. By the method of lines approach it is possible to translate the partial differential equations and the algebraic equations into a large system of differential algebraic equations (DAEs). The DAEs can efficiently be solved if the special structure of the Jacobian of the coupled model components is taken into account.