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Salish Sea Model map
See our Salish Sea modeling website.

The project and the model

This page presents files related to the Salish Sea Model, including scenario loadings and model input/output data used by the Washington State Department of Ecology data to inform various phases of the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Project.

To learn more, see the links below. Scroll beyond to download model data.

Download Salish Sea Model files

GIS and loading files are just below. Use links to scroll to other data:

Optimization Scenarios (Year 1) | Bounding Scenarios

Geographical Information System files

Our  Geographical Information System (GIS) files (.zip) are inside zipped geodatabases. Save these into your local folders to use them.

You can use the GIS files, with appropriate GIS software, to view the model grid, cells, and nodes, including areas of the model that are masked. There is a ReadMe document to assist with these files.

1999 – 2017 time series

These zipped Excel files (.xlsx) represent the full 1999 – 2017 time series of flows and concentrations for every point and nonpoint source included in the Salish Sea Model domain.

While we cannot provide user support or training for using these files at this time, specific questions about the format may be directed to Teizeen Mohamedali (teizeen.mohamedali@ecy.wa.gov).

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The Optimization Scenarios (Year 1)

This first phase of Optimization Scenarios modeling are documented in the 2021 technical memorandum: Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project Phase II – Optimization Scenarios (Year 1) (.pdf)

Download Optimization Scenarios (Year 1) related model files below. The model input files are first. Use the links to jump to other files.

Opt. Scenarios (Yr 1) model output files |Opt. Scenarios (Yr 1) loadings | Opt. Scenarios (Yr 1) post-processing scripts

A simple way to view model outputs is through the interactive Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project: Salish Sea Model Optimization (Year 1) Results map application.

Optimization Scenarios (Year 1) model input files

See the List of Input files (.docx) document for more information. The files are all .dat files and can be viewed in any text editor. While we cannot provide user support or training for using these files at this time, if you have specific questions about the format, you may contact Anise Ahmed (anise.ahmed@ecy.wa.gov}.

2006
2014
2040

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Optimization Scenarios (Year 1) model output files

Model output files are too large to post on this webpage at the moment. These files can be made available upon request, but please note that they are in NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) format, and are very large (approx. 270 GB for each model run, and we have 45 model runs associated with this phase of the project). Model output post-processed results are available through our web map. If you would like to request the raw model output files for specific model scenarios/runs, please contact Anise Ahmed (anise.ahmed@ecy.wa.gov).

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Optimization Scenarios loading files

These are zipped Excel files separated by year. You will need to download the zipped file from the link, then extract the files. In each of these zipped folders are two other folders containing regional and daily loads. See also the Read Me (.docx) file.

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Optimization Scenario postprocessing scripts

The links below download Matlab scripts used in Ahmed et. al. (2021) for first creating netcdf files of model output and then assessing model output for compliance with DO standard. Also included is a script for reference conditions.

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The Bounding Scenarios

Bounding Scenarios are documented in the 2019 report on nutrient pollution in the Salish Sea, Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project. Volume 1: Model Updates and Bounding Scenarios by Anise Ahmed and colleagues. Downloadable data are presented below, for use in your own applications. The model input files are first. Use the links to jump to other Bounding Scenario files.

The simplest way to view model outputs is through the interactive Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project: Salish Sea Model Bounding Scenario Results map application

Bounding Scenarios model output | Bounding Scenarios loadings | Bounding Scenarios post-processing scripts

Bounding scenarios model input

See the List of Input files document. The files are all .dat files and can be viewed in any text editor. While we cannot provide user support or training for using these files at this time, if you have specific questions about the format, you may contact Anise Ahmed (anise.ahmed@ecy.wa.gov).

2006
2008
2014

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Bounding scenarios model output

See the List of output files document for more information. Files in this section are of two types:

  1. Netcdf (.nc) file that contains Salish Sea Model (SSM) output. This is in a netcdf file format created using Matlab software. However, one can use any software that can open that file type (Matlab, Python, etc.) to read the file.
  2. Each Netcdf file has an associated .mat file that has information on model grid. This file was also created using the Matlab software.
Note that some of these files are very large. While we cannot provide user support or training for using these files at this time, if you have specific questions about the format, please contact Anise Ahmed at anise.ahmed@ecy.wa.gov.

2006
2008
2014

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Bounding Scenario Loadings

All years

These are loadings associated with the specific bounding scenarios. These are all in Excel format. If you have specific questions about the format, please contact Teizeen Mohamedali at teizeen.mohamedali@ecy.wa.gov.

Bounding Scenario Loadings ReadMe

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Bounding Scenario postprocessing scripts

The links below download Matlab scripts used in Ahmed et. al. (2019) for first creating netcdf files of model output and then assessing model output for compliance with DO standard.

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