VIC grid polygons represent the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model spatial discretization of input forcing parameters (precipitation, temperature, wind speed), physical parameters (land use, soil, elevation, etc.), and simulated hydrologic parameters (snow water equivalent, runoff, baseflow, etc.) on a 1/16th degree (nominal 6km by 6km) spatial resolution. Each polygon represents the location of where a set of computations occur throughout the simulation period. Input parameters and physical parameters are defined by the modeler and used to calculate the simulated hydrologic parameters. The grid was defined to cover the entirety of California and any watershed area that contributes runoff or baseflow to California for the purpose of estimating unimpaired runoff and baseflow. The model grid was used for modeling activities and climate change analyses for the California Water Commission (CWC) Prop 1 Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). It is also being provided by the DWR Sustainable Groundwater Management Office for use in SGMA compliance. This spatial dataset does not include any of the model inputs or results. It serves as an index layer that can be linked to a database table of model results from the same model discretization. The VIC model software was developed and maintained by University of Washington with other research collaborators including Scripps Institute of Oceanography. It is a semi-distributed water and energy balance model. More Information about the model can be found at the CWC WSIP Application Resources Page. https://cwc.ca.gov/Pages/ApplicationResources.aspx Information about the related model results are available on the SGMO Data and Tools Page https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Data-and-Tools
