So why then did SDI build a MODFLOW preprocessor? It started with necessity, and it continues for convenience. Now we think it's the best darn little preprocessor outside of Texas. (We haven't sold to anyone in Texas yet!) We call our preprocessor MODPORT™.

Who should use MODPORT™? If you do groundwater modeling and have a golf handicap below 10, then you won't need it because you're probably not a real serious modeler. You spend too much time on the golf course. And if you never really calibrate groundwater models, then you should probably exit and go to one of the other 800 million web pages.

If you have survived to this point, then maybe you should read on.

SDI began developing MODPORT™ nearly 10 years ago before any of us knew what a GUI mess into which we all were headed. When we could not find a MODFLOW preprocessor with the power and flexibility to help calibrate a model, we started building a better mousetrap. We think we've succeeded.

MODPORT™ provides the creative user with an almost unlimited combination of procedures to modify existing arrays of data. Using two different screens, the foreground and background, the user can operate on all model cells, rectangular blocks of cells, or a selected set of random cells in order to mimic zonations in parameters displayed on the other screen. Modifying parameters singly provides maximum flexibility and ease in modifying parameters.

One of the special uses of MODPORT™ is building MODFLOW input files for ISGW and post-processing results from ISGW, SDI's integrated hydrologic model linking MODFLOW and HSPF. Large regional ISGW models encompassing several thousand square miles typically include thousands of MODFLOW river cells and hundreds of combinations of groundwater parameters as shown on the figures. Ease of modification is necessary to minimize effort during model calibration. You see, at SDI, we still calibrate transient models the ol'fashioned way - by trial and error.

At present, MODPORT™ prepares standard MODFLOW 88 input files or can incorporate cell-by-cell anisotropy for a version of MODFLOW developed by SDI. Modifications to MODPORT™ are underway to include several new modules now available for MODFLOW and to provide an option to write MODFLOW 96 input files. The new version of MODPORT™ for MODFLOW is planned for release early in 2000.

MODPORT™ is not for everyone. But then, neither is MODFLOW nor ISGW. However, we believe it's one of the most powerful preprocessors. But don't take our word for it. Mikey says "try it, you'll like it." Contact SDI today if you're a serious golfer, oops, I mean modeler.