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Surface water models

Surface water models can closely simulate the real-life hydrology and operation of rivers and water supply systems.

The models use past evidence and data to predict what may happen in the future. They provide valuable information about how much water there might be and how it might move through the systems. This information is important to river operators, water authorities, water users, environmental water managers and policy-makers, among others.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) acts as custodian of many of Victoria’s surface water models. DEECA also provides support to the Victorian hydrological modelling community.

Surface water modelling can help to:

  • predict the impacts of climate variability and climate change on our water resources
  • set sustainable limits on the amount of surface water that can be diverted from a river system and demonstrate compliance with these limits
  • undertake environmental flows studies and develop environmental watering plans
  • forecast and report on Victoria’s water availability and use
  • inform the operation of large and complex water supply systems
  • develop and put into action our long-term water resource plans, such as Sustainable Water Strategies, Long Term Water Resource Assessments and Urban Water Strategies.

What is water modelling? video

Watch this short video to learn more about how modelling helps us to manage our water resources.

View transcript

Tools for surface water modelling

Source

Victoria's hydrological modelling platform, Source, simulates all aspects of water supply systems. Source was developed by eWater on behalf of Australian state and federal governments.

REALM

REALM (Resource Allocation Model) can simulate both simple and large complex water supply systems. The department is no longer investing resources in REALM enhancements or upgrades, as Victoria has now transitioned to the Source platform.

PyTEDI

PyTEDI (Python Tool for Estimating Dam Impacts) is a Python tool that estimates the impacts of small catchment dams on streamflow. This tool is intended to replace STEDI for most future water resource modelling applications as it provides an efficient way to integrate small catchment dam impact modelling into scripted workflows.

STEDI

STEDI (Spatial Tool for Estimating Dam Impacts) is a legacy Windows-based program that simulates the impact of small catchment dams on streamflow. DEECA is no longer investing resources in STEDI enhancements or upgrades, as Victoria is transitioning to the PyTEDI tool.

Page last updated: 09/11/26