Specific Algorithms

Many of the algorithms used in RichDEM are documented in journal or conference publications. In the case of older algorithms by other authors, it is often possible to find the paper in the literature. Some of the newer algorithms I developed have not yet had a chance to be widely utilized. These algorithms are listed below.

Additionally, each publication has its own GitHub repository featuring easily-compiled, minimum working examples of the algorithms, along with examples and test data sets.

These are available as follows:

  • Flat-resolution algorithm. Link
  • Depression-filling algorithm. Link
  • Large dataset depression-filling algorithm. Link
  • Large dataset flow accumulation algorithm. Link

Publications

The algorithms used in RichDEM have been published in the following articles. Every algorithm/program will provide its relevant citation information when run.

  • Barnes, R., 2017. Parallel non-divergent flow accumulation for trillion cell digital elevation models on desktops or clusters. Environmental Modelling & Software 92, 202–212. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.02.022
  • Barnes, R., 2016. Parallel priority-flood depression filling for trillion cell digital elevation models on desktops or clusters. Computers & Geosciences 96, 56–68. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2016.07.001
  • Barnes, R., Lehman, C., Mulla, D., 2014a. An efficient assignment of drainage direction over flat surfaces in raster digital elevation models. Computers & Geosciences 62, 128–135. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2013.01.009
  • Barnes, R., Lehman, C., Mulla, D., 2014b. Priority-flood: An optimal depression-filling and watershed-labeling algorithm for digital elevation models. Computers & Geosciences 62, 117–127. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2013.04.024
  • Barnes, Lehman, Mulla. 2011. “Distributed Parallel D8 Up-Slope Area Calculation in Digital Elevation Models”. Intn’l Conf. on Parallel & Distributed Processing Techniques & Applications. Link
  • Horn, B.K.P., 1981. Hill shading and the reflectance map. Proceedings of the IEEE 69, 14–47. doi: 10.1109/PROC.1981.11918
  • Mulla et al. including Barnes. 2012. “Strategic Planning for Minnesota’s Natural and Artificial Watersheds”. Report to the Minnesota LCCMR.
  • Tarboton, D.G. 1997. A new method for the determination of flow directions and upslope areas in grid digital elevation models. Water Resources Research. Vol. 33. pp 309-319.
  • Zevenbergen, L.W., Thorne, C.R., 1987. Quantitative analysis of land surface topography. Earth surface processes and landforms 12, 47–56.
  • Zhou, G., Sun, Z., Fu, S., 2016. An efficient variant of the Priority-Flood algorithm for filling depressions in raster digital elevation models. Computers & Geosciences 90, Part A, 87 – 96. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2016.02.021