Model Building Support and Conversion Tools

[JohnRushKucharski]

This parent issue is for all work required to complete the Conversion Tools 2026 roadmap item. @gijsber will add user stories to document the high level requirements for this item. A first one is added here:

1. As a Ribasim 7/8 user I want to upgrade my models to the new Ribasim and need tools and documentation to facilitate that process.

Through planning meetings with stakeholder and developers 4 broad classes of tools have been associated with this epic level issue, though others may be added.

1. HydroMT Ribasim plugin - The primary purpose of this plugin is to facilitate off-line coupling with wflow. However it will also make building new Ribasim models from scratch easier, in some cases this may be the easiest way to build the basic basin node and link schematization associated with Ribasim 7/8 models.
2. Conversion scripts - Ribasim Python scripts that facilitate direct conversion of Ribasim 7/8 node types into Ribasim 2026 elements.
3. Network Editor - A FEWS based network GUI editor that visually makes adding new Ribasim node and links more like the Ribasim 7/8 experience.
4. User Documentation - documentation describing how to translate Ribasim 7/8 schematizations and elements into new Ribasim nodes, links, etc.

This issue should be associated with existing and new subissues, which when written provide a clear set of work elements that once completed, finish development on the 2026 Conversion Tools roadmap element.

[gijsber]

As a Ribasim modeller I need a model building tool set to assist with model development in a reproducible way, with tools to:

1. create a Ribasim network of the river system and large reservoirs based on a DEM.

• This tool must be able to use global data as used in HydroMT-wflow (e.g. MERIT, GraND) to create an appropriate mapping between ribasim and wflow
• this tool should be able to use a local DEM (like AHN)
• This tool should be able to extend (patch) this Ribasim network with canalized waterbodies using a standardized vector dataset which holds properly connected segments like HyDaMO or OSM
• This tool should be able to extend (patch) this Ribasim network with local datasets (gpkg, geojson or csv) with proper geo-positioned Ribasim nodes

2. be able to Parameterize the basin profiles, manning resistance and (if any) target water levels for outlets

• using global datasources such as GRaND, global water watch, DEMs, OSM, navigation classifications

3. be able to exploit a Ribasim 7/8 dataset as far as possible and relevant

• reservoir data (e.g. level-area-volume relations, rule curves, Qh-relations, hedging rules)
• link storage data (Manning, Qh-relations)
• diversions/bifurcation relations
• water demand node data
• conversion of TMS timeseries data to NetCDF wih proper Id-mapping

All items under 3 need to be worked out step-by-step to transfer the Ribasim 7 concept into an appropriate Ribasim2026 model implementation before this can be coded