Open Source Python Packages in Hydrology

My attempt to list interesting open source python projects that can be used in the field of Hydrology. In a 2024 update, I automated various tasks to maintain the quality of this list, and added more information about the packages that can serve as quality indicators. The description now lists when the last update on Pypi/Conda was, to highlight whether a package is probably active (🟢) or inactive (🔴). Also information about the FAIR repository, description paper, and Continuous Integration testing (CI) is included. All this in the hope that more and more packages develop according to common research software developement best practices. Suggestions as issues or pull requests are welcome!

Raoul A. Collenteur, Eawag.

Categories

• Catchment Hydrology
• Data Collection
• Evaluation
• Geospatial
• Groundwater
• Meteorological tools
• Miscellaneous
• Optimization and Uncertainty
• Statistics
• Unsaturated Zone
• Legacy Packages

Catchment Hydrology

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
CMF	Catchment Modelling Framework, a hydrologic modelling toolbox. (Version: 2.0.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-01-19)
HydPy	A framework for the development and application of hydrological models based on Python. (Version: 6.1.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-23)			🟢
NeuralHydrology	Python library to train neural networks with a strong focus on hydrological applications. (Version: 1.11.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-08-02)			🟢
PyTOPKAPI	PyTOPKAPI is a BSD licensed Python library implementing the TOPKAPI Hydrological model (Liu and Todini, 2002).
SMARTPy	Python implementation of the rainfall-runoff model SMART (Version: 0.2.2, Last Update: 🔴 22-02-14)
SUMMA	A hydrologic modeling framework that can be used for the systematic analysis of alternative model conceptualizations with respect to flux parameterizations, spatial configurations, and numerical solution techniques. (Version: 1.2.0, Last Update: 🔴 19-01-16)
SuperflexPy	SuperflexPy: A new open source framework for building conceptual hydrological models (Version: 1.3.2, Last Update: 🟢 23-11-25)
VIC	The Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) Macroscale Hydrologic Model. (Version: 0.0.1, Last Update: 🔴 16-06-18)
wrfhydropy	wrfhydrpy is a Python API for the WRF-Hydro modelling system. (Version: 0.0.21, Last Update: 🟢 24-02-16)
Xanthos	Xanthos is an open-source hydrologic model, written in Python, designed to quantify and analyze global water availability. (Version: 2.4.1, Last Update: 🔴 21-08-10)

Groundwater

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Anaflow	A python-package containing analytical solutions for the groundwater flow equation (Version: 1.1.0, Last Update: 🔴 23-04-16)			🟢
FloPy	The Python interface to MODFLOW. (Version: 3.8.2, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-03)			🟢
GeoArchPy	Stochastic geological modeling (Version: 1.0.10, Last Update: 🟢 24-11-03)
Gravi4GW	A tool for conversion between Δg and groundwater storage changes.
imod-python	Make massive MODFLOW models. (Version: 0.18.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-11-20)			🟢
NLmod	Python code to process, build and visualize MODFLOW models in the Netherlands. Model data is stored in a xarray Datasets and geopandas GeoDataFrames. (Version: 0.8.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-07-25)			🟢
Pastas	Analysis of hydrological time series using time series models. (Version: 1.7.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-06)			🟢
PyHELP	A Python library for the assessment of spatially distributed groundwater recharge and hydrological components with HELP. (Version: 0.4.0, Last Update: 🔴 22-06-20)
PyKasso	Simulate stochastic karst conduit networks (Version: 0.1.3, Last Update: 🔴 23-04-17)
TimML	A Multi-Layer, Analytic Element Model. (Version: 6.5.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-27)			🟢
TTim	A Multi-Layer, Transient, Analytic Element Model. (Version: 0.6.7, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-27)			🟢
WellApplication	Set of tools for groundwater level and water chemistry analysis. (Version: 0.5.6, Last Update: 🔴 18-05-30)
WellTestPy	A python-package for handling well based field campaigns. (Version: 1.2.0, Last Update: 🔴 23-04-18)			🟢

Meteorological tools

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Evaporation	Calculation of evaporation and transpiration. (Version: 2.0.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-04-16)
Improver	IMPROVER is a library of algorithms for meteorological post-processing and verification. (Version: 1.9.0, Last Update: 🔴 No date)			🟢
MELODIST	MELODIST is an open-source toolbox written in Python for disaggregating daily meteorological time series to hourly time steps. (Version: 0.1.6, Last Update: 🟢 24-06-07)			🟢
MetPy	MetPy is a collection of tools in Python for reading, visualizing and performing calculations with weather data. (Version: 1.6.3, Last Update: 🟢 24-08-26)			🟢
MetSim	MetSim is a meteorological simulator and forcing disaggregator for hydrologic modeling and climate applications. (Version: 2.4.4, Last Update: 🔴 23-11-06)
pyet	A python-package for calculating reference and potential evaporation. (Version: 1.3.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-03-15)			🟢
pyfao56	A Python implementation of the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient approach for crop water use estimation and irrigation scheduling. (Version: 1.3.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-03-21)
PySteps	pySTEPS is a community-driven initiative for developing and maintaining an easy to use, modular, free and open source Python framework for short-term ensemble prediction systems. (Version: 1.12.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-07)			🟢
SPEI	Calculate and visualize some popular drought indices such as the SPI, SPEI and SGI. (Version: 0.6.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-11-11)

Unsaturated Zone

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
pedon	Python package for (unsaturated) soil properties including pedotransfer functions. (Version: 0.0.6, Last Update: 🟢 24-01-22)
Phydrus	Python implementation of the HYDRUS-1D unsaturated zone model (Version: 0.2.0, Last Update: 🔴 21-03-30)
Pytesmo	python Toolbox for the Evaluation of Soil Moisture Observations. (Version: 0.17.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-11-14)
VS2DPY	Python implementation of the VS2D unsaturated zone model. (Version: 0.3.0, Last Update: 🔴 22-12-07)

Evaluation

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
HydroErr	Goodness of Fit metrics for use in comparison studies, specifically in the field of hydrology. (Version: 1.24, Last Update: 🔴 19-04-23)
Hydrostats	Tools for use in comparison studies, specifically for use in the field of hydrology. (Version: 0.78, Last Update: 🔴 19-04-24)
traval	Tools for applying automatic error detection schemes to timeseries (Version: 0.5.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-27)
xskillscore	Metrics for verifying forecasts. (Version: 0.0.26, Last Update: 🟢 24-03-10)

Miscellaneous

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
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ESMPY	Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF) Python interface. (Version: 8.7.0, Last Update: 🔴 No date)
eWaterCycle	Platform to do computational hydrology using many of the above mentioned models. (Version: 2.3.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-17)			🟢
htimeseries	This module provides the HTimeseries class, which is a layer on top of pandas, offering a little more functionality. (Version: 8.0.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-11-23)
Hydrobox	Hydrological preprocessing and analysis toolbox build upon pandas and numpy. (Version: 0.2.0, Last Update: 🔴 21-05-20)
Hydrofunctions	A suite of convenience functions for working with hydrology data in an interactive Python session. (Version: 0.2.4, Last Update: 🔴 23-06-14)
Hydrointerp	A Python package for interpolating hydrologic data. (Version: 1.2.13, Last Update: 🔴 22-05-11)
IRIS	A powerful, format-agnostic, and community-driven Python library for analysing and visualising Earth science data. (Version: 1.0.7, Last Update: 🔴 20-02-07)
iRONS	iRONS (interactive Reservoir Operation Notebooks and Software) is a python package that enables the simulation, forecasting and optimisation of reservoir systems. (Version: 1.0, Last Update: 🔴 22-11-12)
Landlab	The Landlab project creates an environment in which scientists can build a numerical landscape model without having to code all of the individual components. (Version: 2.9.2, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-18)
Mesas	Multiresolution Estimation of StorAge Selection functions. (Version: 1.20240418, Last Update: 🔴 No date)
pydsstools	Python library for simple HEC-DSS functions. (Version: 2.3.2, Last Update: 🟢 24-01-13)
PyHSPF	Python extensions to the Hydrological Simulation Program in Fortran (HSPF). (Version: 0.2.4, Last Update: 🔴 17-08-10)
PyMT	PyMT is an Open Source Python package that provides the necessary tools used for the coupling of models that expose the Basic Model Interface (BMI). (Version: 0.5.1, Last Update: 🔴 10-09-06)
pyopenrivercam	Surface velocity, object tracking, and river flow measurements (Version: 0.6.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-26)
pywatershed	A hydrologic model in Python (Version: 2.1, Last Update: 🔴 18-03-24)			🟢
PYWR	Spatial allocation tool. (Version: 1.27.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-20)
river-route	Hydrologic river routing of gridded runoff depths or catchment volumes on vector stream networks (Version: 1.0.2, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-24)
Shyft	Shyft is the open-source toolbox for the energy-market domain, funded and supported by Statkraft. (Version: 20.0.0.post1, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-11)
SPHY	Spatial Processes in HYdrology (SPHY) model. (Version: 2.2.1, Last Update: 🔴 19-05-26)
Wetland	Wetland is a toolset for mapping surface water and wetland hydrological dynamics using fine-resolution aerial imagery within Google Earth Engine (GEE). (Version: 0.1.0, Last Update: 🔴 18-10-19)

Data Collection

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Dataretrieval	Dataretrieval is a Python package for obtaining USGS or EPA water quality data, streamflow data, and metadata directly from web services. (Version: 1.0.11, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-25)
Ecohydrolib	Libraries and command-line scripts for performing ecohydrology data preparation workflows. (Version: 1.29, Last Update: 🔴 15-07-02)
HKVFEWSPY	Connection to the Delft FEWS servers. (Version: 1.0.2, Last Update: 🔴 23-02-21)
HydroPandas	Module for loading time series data into custom DataFrames (Version: 0.12.5, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-09)
Openradar	Library for processing a set of dutch, german and belgian precipitation radars into calibrated composites. (Version: 1.0.1, Last Update: 🔴 19-10-31)
PyHIS	PyHIS is a python library for querying CUAHSI*-HIS** web services. (Version: 0.1.1-alpha, Last Update: 🔴 11-11-15)
Ulmo	Clean, simple and fast access to public hydrology and climatology data. (Version: 0.8.8, Last Update: 🔴 21-09-02)
Wetterdienst	Python Toolset For Accessing Weather Data From German Weather Service. (Version: 0.97.0, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-06)

Geospatial

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
HPGL	High Performance Geostatistics Library.
Lidar	Terrain and hydrological analysis based on LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEM). (Version: 0.8.3, Last Update: 🟢 24-06-06)
PcRaster	Is a collection of software targeted at the development and deployment of spatio-temporal environmental models. (Version: 4.4.1, Last Update: 🔴 No date)
PyGeoprocessing	A Python/Cython based library that provides a set of commonly used raster, vector, and hydrological operations for GIS processing. (Version: 2.4.6, Last Update: 🟢 24-10-15)
Pysheds	Simple and fast watershed delineation in python. (Version: 0.4, Last Update: 🟢 24-05-09)

Optimization and Uncertainty

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Pyemu	Python modules for model-independent uncertainty analyses, data-worth analyses, and interfacing with PEST(++). (Version: 1.3.7, Last Update: 🟢 24-08-14)
SPOTpy	A Statistical Parameter Optimization Tool for Python. (Version: 1.6.2, Last Update: 🔴 23-02-28)

Statistics

Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Climate-indices	Climate indices for drought monitoring, community reference implementations in Python. (Version: 2.0.1, Last Update: 🟢 24-09-19)
EFlowCalc	Calculator of Streamflow Characteristics. (Version: 0.1.0, Last Update: 🔴 21-04-26)
HydroLM	The HydroLM package contains a class and functions for automating linear regressions OLS for hydrologists. (Version: 1.0.7, Last Update: 🔴 19-01-15)
PySDI	Pysdi is a set of open source scripts that compute non-parametric standardized drought indices (SDI) using raster data sets as input data. (Version: 0.2.6.3.1, Last Update: 🔴 20-02-25)

Legacy Packages

These packages are not maintained anymore, or might not meet a minimum set of requirements, but might still be useful for some users.	Name	Description	PyPI Conda	Docs	CI	Paper
Catchmod	CATCHMOD is widely used rainfall runoff model in the United Kingdom. It was introduced by Wilby (1994). (Version: 1.1.0, Last Update: 🔴 19-01-08)
DRYP	Dryland Water Partition model.
EXP-HYDRO	EXP-HYDRO is a catchment scale hydrological model that operates at a daily time-step. It takes as inputs the daily values of precipitation, air temperature, and potential evapotranspiration, and simulates daily streamflow at the catchment outlet.
HydroAnalysis	Python package to calculate indices and metrics useful in the everyday job of a hydrologist. (Version: 1.0.0, Last Update: 🔴 21-11-20)
Hydropy	Analysis of hydrological oriented time series. (Version: 0.1.2, Last Update: 🔴 17-02-03)
LHMP	Lumped Hydrological Models Playground.
LuKars	The LuKARS model is a lumped karst hydrological model to perform studies in karstic environments.
mhmpy	A Python-API for the mesoscale Hydrological Model. (Version: 0.0.0, Last Update: 🔴 19-08-26)
PyEto	PyETo is a Python library for calculating reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo), sometimes referred to as potential evapotranspiration (PET). The library provides numerous functions for estimating missing meteorological data.
PyGLUE	Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) Framework. (Version: 0.0.4, Last Update: 🔴 12-01-06)
PyStream	Python implementation of the STREAM hydrological rainfall-runoff model. (Version: 0.1, Last Update: 🔴 15-06-18)
RRMPG	Rainfall-Runoff modelling playground.
wflow	wflow consists of a set of Python programs that can be run on the command line and perform hydrological simulations. The models are based on the PCRaster Python framework (Version: 2020.1.2, Last Update: 🔴 20-11-26)
xsboringen	A python library for processing and plotting borehole and CPT data, developed for open data formats in the Netherlands.

Background Info

UPDATE: The Pypa package authority has now added "Hydrology" as a classifier so we can start collecting python packages used by the hydrological community! If you are maintaining a python package, please add Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Hydrology to your setup.py so people can find your package.