Stream Power Index for Network (SPINpy2)
A watershed-scale approach is essential for managing increasing erosion risk in urban watersheds and mitigating its negative impacts on infrastructure and river systems. Stream power, the rate of energy expenditure by flowing water per unit length, is strongly linked to erosion, channel instability, and morphologic change.
The Stream Power Index for Networks (SPINarc) is a GIS-based toolbox designed by Ghunowa et al (2021) to assess the potential impacts of land use change on river networks Using digital elevation models (DEMs), land use, and modelled data, SPINarc calculates total and specific stream power (stream power per unit width) along river networks. The tool is widely used by conservation authorities and municipalities in Ontario to estimate erosion-related damage costs and inform updates to watershed management plans.
SPINpy 2 is the latest refinement of the SPINarc tool, introducing improvements in processing speed and reliability. Advancements include:
Stream power analyses optimized for land use datasets, with reductions in processing time and memory errors.
Revised urban width equations, ensuring channel enlargement due to urbanization is represented in the tool.
User-defined boundary analyses, allowing users to conduct analyses for specific political or watershed boundaries.
Enhanced modeling capabilities, comparisons between different land use scenarios,
including the effects of stormwater management infrastructure.
Case studies in Southern Ontario demonstrate SPINpy 2’s ability to model urban erosion dynamics more effectively than previous versions.
SPINpy 2 has ongoing refinements being made; stay tuned for more updates!
This project was funded by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) and partially funded by the National Research Council’s Climate Resilient Built Environment Initiative.
More Information:
Ghunowa, K., MacVicar, B. J., & Ashmore, P. (2021). Stream power index for networks (SPIN) toolbox for decision support in urbanizing watersheds. Environmental Modelling and Software, 144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105185
Papangelakis, E., MacVicar, B., Ashmore, P., Gingerich, D., & Bright, C. (2022). Testing a Watershed-Scale Stream Power Index Tool for Erosion Risk Assessment in an Urban River. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000989 Thirimanne, H. D. T. D. (2024). Erosion Risk Modelling: An Improved Screening Tool for Urban Watershed Management [University of Waterloo]. https://hdl.handle.net/10012/21296
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