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Salish Sea Model data products in support of the Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project

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 to inform various phases of the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Project (PSNSRP).

Web maps of Salish Sea Model results

We have developed a web map for each phase of the project. These web maps are the simplest way to access and download key model results, model output, and spatial GIS data associated with each application of the Salish Sea Model to the PSNSRP.

Download Salish Sea Model files

Use links to scroll to other sections below for model files related to different phases of this project:

Optimization Scenarios (Phase 2) | Optimization Scenarios (Phase 1) | Bounding Scenarios

1999 – 2017 time series of marine point sources and watershed sources

These zipped Excel files (.xlsx) represent the full 1999 – 2017 time series of flows and concentrations for every marine point source and all watershed sources included in the Salish Sea Model domain. The water quality data and regressions used to develop this time-series have been updated over time, and the latest version is included below.

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The Optimization Scenarios Phase 2 (Opt2)

This is latest phase of Optimization Scenarios modeling, also referred to as "Opt2," as documented in the 2025 report: Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project Volume 2: Model Updates and Optimization Scenarios Phase 2.

Download Opt2-related model files below. The model input files are first. Use these links to jump to other files:
Opt2 model output files | Opt2 scenario loads | Opt2 postprocessing scripts | Opt2 simulated and observed datasets

Opt2 model input files

These are the model input files needed to drive the SSM that we used for years 2000, 2006, 2008 and 2014. They include water quality and hydrodynamic inputs from rivers and marine point sources as well as meteorological forcings, ocean boundary inputs, and tidal components. 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.

Opt 2 model output files

See the List of output files (.docx) document for more information — the file names are not identical to the scenario names in the report, and the read-me document provides the user with the crosswalk for those files. Files in each of the .zip files below 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 Matlab software

Below, you can find model output files for years 2000, 2006, 2008 and 2014. All years include existing and reference conditions model output. Year 2014 is the only year for which we ran nutrient loading reduction scenarios, including initial and refined scenarios as documented in Figueroa-Kaminsky et al. (2025).

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Opt2 scenario loads

These are zipped Excel files grouped by year within each zipped file. You will need to download the zipped file from the link, then extract the files. See the Read Me (.docx) file for details on scenario names and loading summary metadata.

Opt2 postprocessing scripts

The links below download Matlab scripts used in Figueroa-Kaminsky et. al. (2025) for assessing model output for compliance with the dissolved oxygen standard for the year 2014.

Opt2 simulated and observed datasets

This single zipped file contains paired data of observed and model-simulated water quality for each of the four years (2000, 2006, 2008 and 2014) based on the calibrated model used in Opt2:

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The Optimization Scenarios Phase 1 (Opt1)

This first phase of Optimization Scenarios modeling, also referred to as "Opt1," was documented in the 2021 technical memorandum: Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project Phase II — Optimization Scenarios (Phase 1) (.pdf)

Download Opt1 related model files below. The model input files are first. Use the links to jump to other files.

Opt1 model output files | Opt1 scenario loads | Opt1 post-processing scripts

Opt1 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.

2006
2014
2040

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Opt1 model output files

Model output post-processed results are available through our web map. If you would like to request NetCDF output model files for Opt1, you can do so by submitting a public records request.

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Opt1 scenarios loads

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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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.

Bounding Scenarios model output | Bounding Scenarios loadings

Bounding scenarios model input files

See the List of Input files document. The files are all .dat files and can be viewed in any text editor.

2006
2008
2014

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Bounding scenarios model output files

Model output post-processed results are available through our web map. If you would like to request NetCDF output model files for Opt1, you can do so by submitting a public records request.

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Bounding scenario loads

These are loadings associated with the specific bounding scenarios. These are all in Excel format.

Bounding Scenario Loadings ReadMe

Contact

If you have questions about the formatting of these files, please contact Anise Ahmed at anise.ahmed@ecy.wa.gov.

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Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology 2020