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Technical Manual for the Catchment Assessment Tool

Executive Summary

Image: Catchment assessment tool (CAT) technical manualThis CAT technical reference manual details the formulations embedded in the Catchment Analysis Tool (CAT1D) farming system model. The CAT1D model comprises a suite of farming system models of varying complexity from a simple crop cover approach to complex phenological based pasture, crop and forest growth models which simulate soil/water/plant interactions on a daily timestep.

Core modules which are common to all growth models include the water balance, erosion, livestock, management and nutrient models. In all cases the model is based on published algorithms in addition to customised module developed in collaboration with partner research organisation.


Recognition of the many partner research organisations including Melbourne University, Charles Stuart University, CSIRO, NSW Agriculture, Queensland DNRE and NSW DLWC for their contribution in the conceptualisation, development and validation of specific components of the CAT1D is acknowledged.

Where possible discrete modules are referenced by the name of collaborators who aided in the development of that module. The model development team also gratefully acknowledges the many organisations that have contributed funding including the former Victorian Department of Primary Industries, the former Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Murray Darling Basin Commission, the CRC for Catchment Hydrology and the CRC for Dryland Salinity.

The CAT Technical Manual is available free of charge in PDF format. Enquiries should be made to: Dr. Craig Beverly craig.beverly@depi.vic.gov.au.
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