WEPP Soil Library (soilsdb)

Pre-built WEPP soil files for standardized erosion modeling

See also: AGENTS.md for coding conventions and WeppSoilUtil for soil file manipulation.

Overview

The wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb package provides a curated library of pre-built WEPP soil files representing standard soil types, land covers, and disturbance conditions. These soils are ready-to-use references for WEPP modeling when detailed SSURGO data is unavailable or when standardized parameters are required for comparative studies.

Key Capabilities:

Browse 50+ state-specific soil series from USDA NRCS databases
Access 32 pre-defined forest, rangeland, and disturbed land soils
Retrieve wildfire-adjusted soils by texture and burn severity
Load legacy WEPP 2006.2 format soils for backward compatibility

Primary Users:

Researchers needing standardized soil parameters for scenario modeling
Wildfire analysts applying uniform burn severity adjustments
Model calibrators comparing against reference soil properties
Developers building soil selection interfaces

Library Structure:

wepppy/wepp/soils/soilsdb/
├── __init__.py              # Library API
└── data/
    ├── Database/            # State-specific NRCS soil series (50+ states)
    │   ├── ak/              # Alaska soils
    │   ├── ca/              # California soils
    │   ├── id/              # Idaho soils
    │   └── ...              # (all 50 states)
    ├── Forest/              # Modern forest/rangeland/disturbed soils (7778)
    │   ├── Forest loam.sol
    │   ├── High sev fire-loam.sol
    │   ├── Skid-loam.sol
    │   └── ...              # 32 total files
    └── Forest2006/          # Legacy forest soils (2006.2 format)
        ├── Forest loam.sol
        ├── Forest Soils Summary.csv
        └── ...              # 32 total files

API Reference

Browse Library

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db

# Get list of all available soils
soils = load_db()
# Returns: ['Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol', 'Forest/Forest loam.sol', ...]

# Filter by category
forest_soils = [s for s in soils if 'Forest/' in s]
database_soils = [s for s in soils if 'Database/' in s]

Returns: List of relative paths from data/ directory.

Note: Only files directly under state directories are included. Nested subdirectories are excluded.

Get Soil Path

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil

# Get absolute path to soil file
path = get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol')
# Returns: '/path/to/wepppy/wepp/soils/soilsdb/data/Forest/Forest loam.sol'

# Use with WeppSoilUtil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol'))
print(f"Clay: {soil.clay}%, Texture: {soil.simple_texture}")

Parameters:

sol - Relative path from load_db() output

Returns: Absolute path to .sol file.

Raises: AssertionError if file does not exist.

Retrieve Wildfire Soil Parameters

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars

# Get OFE dictionary for high severity burn on loam
ofe = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars(
    simple_texture='loam',
    fire_severity='high'
)

# Access parameters
print(f"Interrill erodibility: {ofe['ki']}")
print(f"Rill erodibility: {ofe['kr']}")
print(f"Conductivity: {ofe['avke']} mm/h")
print(f"Initial saturation: {ofe['sat']}")

Parameters:

simple_texture - One of: 'loam', 'silt loam', 'sand loam', 'clay loam'
fire_severity - One of: 'high', 'low'

Returns: Dictionary containing single OFE structure from matching soil file (see OFE Structure below).

Supported Combinations:

Texture	High Severity	Low Severity
loam	✓	✓
silt loam	✓	✓
sand loam	✓	✓
clay loam	✓	✓

Example - Apply to Existing Soil:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars

# Load base soil
soil = WeppSoilUtil('/watershed/base_soil.sol')

# Get fire-adjusted parameters
fire_pars = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars(
    simple_texture=soil.simple_texture,
    fire_severity='high'
)

# Replace OFE parameters
soil.obj['ofes'][0]['ki'] = fire_pars['ki']
soil.obj['ofes'][0]['kr'] = fire_pars['kr']
soil.obj['ofes'][0]['avke'] = fire_pars['avke']

# Write burned soil
soil.write('/watershed/burned_soil.sol')

Library Collections

Database Collection

Source: USDA NRCS soil series database, exported to WEPP format.

Coverage: 50+ U.S. states and territories.

Naming Convention: <STATE>/<SERIES>(<TEXTURE>).sol

Example: Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol - Palouse silt loam from Idaho

File Count: Varies by state (Idaho: ~200, California: ~150, etc.)

WEPP Version: Mixed (97.5, 2006.2, 7778 depending on export date)

Use Cases:

Region-specific erosion modeling using local soil series
Validation against NRCS soil survey data
Comparative analysis of soil properties across states

Example - Browse Idaho Soils:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db

soils = load_db()
id_soils = [s for s in soils if s.startswith('Database/id/')]

for soil_path in sorted(id_soils)[:5]:
    print(soil_path)
# Database/id/BLACKWELL(SIL).sol
# Database/id/BOTHWELL(SIL).sol
# Database/id/BROADHEAD(SIL).sol
# Database/id/CHATCOLET(SIL).sol
# Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol

Forest Collection (Modern)

Source: WEPP forest disturbance research, calibrated 2008-2022.

File Count: 32 soils (4 textures × 8 land cover classes)

WEPP Version: 7778 (migrated from 2006.2 with Rosetta predictions)

Textures:

loam - Balanced clay/sand
silt loam - Low clay+sand
sand loam (sandy loam) - High sand
clay loam - High clay

Land Cover Classes:

Forest - Mature forest with high infiltration
- Forest loam.sol
- Forest silt loam.sol
- Forest sandy loam.sol
- Forest clay loam.sol
Young Forest - Regenerating forest, intermediate infiltration
- Young forest loam.sol
- Young forest silt loam.sol
- Young forest sandy loam.sol
- Young forest clay loam.sol
Shrub - Shrubland, moderate ground cover
- Shrub loam.sol
- Shrub silt loam.sol
- Shrub sandy loam.sol
- Shrub clay loam.sol
Tall Grass - Tallgrass prairie, deep roots
- Tall Grass loam.sol
- Tall Grass silt loam.sol
- Tall Grass sandy loam.sol
- Tall Grass clay loam.sol
Short Grass - Shortgrass prairie, shallow roots
- Short Grass loam.sol
- Short Grass-silt-Loam.sol
- Short Grass sandy loam.sol
- Short Grass clay loam.sol
Skid - Skid trails, compacted by logging equipment
- Skid-loam.sol
- Skid-silt loam.sol
- Skid sandy loam.sol
- Skid-clay loam.sol
High Severity Fire - High burn severity, hydrophobic layer
- High sev fire-loam.sol
- High sev fire-silt loam.sol
- High sev fire-sandy loam.sol
- High sev fire-clay loam.sol
Low Severity Fire - Low burn severity, minimal hydrophobicity
- Low sev fire-loam.sol
- Low sev fire-silt loam.sol
- Low sev fire-sandy loam.sol
- Low sev fire-clay loam.sol

Characteristic Parameters by Land Cover:

Land Cover	Albedo	Initial Sat	Depth (mm)	Notes
Forest	0.06	0.5	800	High infiltration, deep profile
Young Forest	0.06	0.5	600	Intermediate depth
Shrub	0.15	0.75	500	Moderate infiltration
Tall Grass	0.15	0.75	400	Deep roots, good structure
Short Grass	0.15	0.75	400	Shallow roots
Skid	0.20	0.75	300	Compacted, reduced conductivity
High Sev Fire	0.10	0.75	400	Low conductivity, high erodibility
Low Sev Fire	0.15	0.75	400	Moderate adjustments

Example - Compare Forest vs. Burned:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil

forest = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol'))
burned = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/High sev fire-loam.sol'))

print(f"Forest: ki={forest.obj['ofes'][0]['ki']:,.0f}, "
      f"avke={forest.avke:.1f} mm/h")
print(f"Burned: ki={burned.obj['ofes'][0]['ki']:,.0f}, "
      f"avke={burned.avke:.1f} mm/h")

# Output:
# Forest: ki=400,000, avke=50.0 mm/h
# Burned: ki=1,000,000, avke=15.0 mm/h

Forest2006 Collection (Legacy)

Source: Original WEPP 2006.2 format forest soils (Elliot et al., 2008).

File Count: 32 soils (same land cover classes as Forest/)

WEPP Version: 2006.2 (original format)

Purpose:

Backward compatibility with legacy WEPP models
Comparison with modern 7778 format soils
Historical research replication

Summary CSV: Forest Soils Summary.csv provides tabular overview of all parameters.

CSV Columns:

slid, texid, landcover, burn_class, salb, sat, ki, kr, shcrit, avke,
sand, clay, orgmat, cec, rfg, solthk

Example - Load Legacy Format:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil

# Load 2006.2 format soil
legacy = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest2006/Forest loam.sol'))
print(f"Version: {legacy.datver}")  # 2006.2

# Migrate to modern format
modern = legacy.to7778()
print(f"Upgraded version: {modern.datver}")  # 7778.0

# Compare parameters
print(f"Legacy ksat: {legacy.obj['ofes'][0]['horizons'][0].get('ksat', 'N/A')}")
print(f"Modern ksat: {modern.obj['ofes'][0]['horizons'][0]['ksat']:.2f}")

OFE Structure

The read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars() function returns a dictionary representing a single WEPP Overland Flow Element (OFE):

{
    'slid': 'High sev fire-loam',        # Soil ID
    'texid': 'loam',                     # Texture class
    'nsl': 1,                            # Number of soil layers
    'salb': 0.10,                        # Soil albedo
    'sat': 0.75,                         # Initial saturation
    'ki': 1000000,                       # Interrill erodibility (kg·s/m⁴)
    'kr': 0.0001,                        # Rill erodibility (s/m)
    'shcrit': 1.0,                       # Critical shear stress (Pa)
    'avke': 15.0,                        # Effective hydraulic conductivity (mm/h)
    'luse': None,                        # Disturbed land use (7778 only)
    'stext': None,                       # Simple texture (7778 only)
    'ksatadj': 0,                        # keff adjustment flag (9001+ only)
    'horizons': [                        # Soil layers
        {
            'solthk': 400.0,             # Depth (mm)
            'bd': 1.4,                   # Bulk density (g/cm³)
            'ksat': 12.24,               # Saturated conductivity (mm/h)
            'anisotropy': 1.0,           # Anisotropy ratio
            'fc': 0.2558,                # Field capacity (vol/vol)
            'wp': 0.1341,                # Wilting point (vol/vol)
            'sand': 45.0,                # Sand percentage
            'clay': 20.0,                # Clay percentage
            'orgmat': 5.0,               # Organic matter percentage
            'cec': 20.0,                 # Cation exchange capacity
            'rfg': 20.0,                 # Rock fragment percentage
        },
    ],
    'res_lyr': {                         # Restrictive layer
        'slflag': 1,                     # Layer present flag
        'ui_bdrkth': 10000.0,            # Depth to bedrock (mm)
        'kslast': 0.00036,               # Conductivity (mm/h)
    },
}

Usage Examples

Scenario 1: Populate Watershed with Library Soils

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil

# Browse library
soils = load_db()
forest_soils = [s for s in soils if 'Forest/' in s and 'fire' not in s]

# Select soils by texture for different hillslopes
hillslope_map = {
    'ridge': 'Forest/Forest sandy loam.sol',    # Well-drained
    'backslope': 'Forest/Forest loam.sol',      # Typical
    'toeslope': 'Forest/Forest clay loam.sol',  # Poorly-drained
}

# Copy to watershed directory
for position, soil_rel in hillslope_map.items():
    src = get_soil(soil_rel)
    dst = f'/watershed/soils/{position}.sol'
    
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(src)
    soil.write(dst)
    print(f"{position}: {soil.simple_texture}, ksat={soil.avke:.1f} mm/h")

Scenario 2: Build Fire Scenario Soils

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil

# Map of subcatchments to texture
subcatchments = {
    'sub1': 'loam',
    'sub2': 'silt loam',
    'sub3': 'sand loam',
}

# Generate pre/post fire soils
for sub_id, texture in subcatchments.items():
    # Pre-fire (library soil)
    from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil
    pre_fire = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(f'Forest/Forest {texture}.sol'))
    pre_fire.write(f'/scenario/pre_fire/{sub_id}.sol')
    
    # Post-fire (high severity parameters)
    fire_ofe = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars(
        simple_texture=texture,
        fire_severity='high'
    )
    
    # Build burned soil from OFE
    burned = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(f'Forest/High sev fire-{texture}.sol'))
    burned.write(f'/scenario/post_fire/{sub_id}.sol')

Scenario 3: Calibrate Against Library Reference

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil

# Load field-derived soil
field_soil = WeppSoilUtil('/field_data/measured_soil.sol')

# Load closest library reference
ref_soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol'))

# Compare erodibility
print("Parameter Comparison:")
print(f"{'Param':<10} {'Field':<12} {'Reference':<12} {'Ratio':<8}")
print("-" * 45)

ki_field = field_soil.obj['ofes'][0]['ki']
ki_ref = ref_soil.obj['ofes'][0]['ki']
print(f"{'ki':<10} {ki_field:<12,.0f} {ki_ref:<12,.0f} {ki_field/ki_ref:<8.2f}")

kr_field = field_soil.obj['ofes'][0]['kr']
kr_ref = ref_soil.obj['ofes'][0]['kr']
print(f"{'kr':<10} {kr_field:<12.6f} {kr_ref:<12.6f} {kr_field/kr_ref:<8.2f}")

ksat_field = field_soil.avke
ksat_ref = ref_soil.avke
print(f"{'ksat':<10} {ksat_field:<12.2f} {ksat_ref:<12.2f} {ksat_field/ksat_ref:<8.2f}")

Scenario 4: Extract Summary Statistics

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
import csv

# Load all forest soils
soils = load_db()
forest_files = [s for s in soils if 'Forest/' in s and s.endswith('.sol')]

# Extract parameters
data = []
for soil_path in forest_files:
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(soil_path))
    ofe = soil.obj['ofes'][0]
    
    data.append({
        'file': soil_path,
        'texture': soil.simple_texture,
        'clay': soil.clay,
        'sand': soil.sand,
        'albedo': ofe['salb'],
        'ki': ofe['ki'],
        'kr': ofe['kr'],
        'avke': soil.avke,
        'depth': soil.soil_depth,
    })

# Write summary
with open('forest_soils_summary.csv', 'w', newline='') as f:
    writer = csv.DictWriter(f, fieldnames=data[0].keys())
    writer.writeheader()
    writer.writerows(data)

print(f"Exported {len(data)} soils to forest_soils_summary.csv")

Scenario 5: Migrate Legacy Database to Modern Format

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
from pathlib import Path

# Load legacy collection
soils = load_db()
legacy_soils = [s for s in soils if 'Forest2006/' in s and s.endswith('.sol')]

# Create output directory
out_dir = Path('/migration/forest_7778')
out_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

# Migrate each soil
for soil_rel in legacy_soils:
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(soil_rel))
    
    # Skip if already modern
    if soil.datver == 7778.0:
        print(f"Skipping {soil_rel} (already 7778)")
        continue
    
    # Migrate to 7778
    modern = soil.to7778(hostname='migration.server.edu')
    
    # Write with same filename
    out_fn = out_dir / Path(soil_rel).name
    modern.write(str(out_fn))
    
    print(f"Migrated {soil_rel}: v{soil.datver} → v7778")

Integration with NoDb Controllers

Soils Controller

The Soils controller references library soils when SSURGO data is unavailable:

from wepppy.nodb.core import Soils
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil

soils = Soils.getInstance(wd)

# Browse library for fallback soils
available = load_db()
print(f"Library contains {len(available)} reference soils")

# Use library soil when SSURGO query fails
if soils.ssurgo_status == 'unavailable':
    fallback_path = get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol')
    # Apply to all subcatchments...

Disturbed Lands Controller

The Disturbed controller uses read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars() to apply standardized burn severity adjustments:

from wepppy.nodb.mods import Disturbed
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars

disturbed = Disturbed.getInstance(wd)

# Retrieve reference fire parameters for high severity loam
fire_pars = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars(
    simple_texture='loam',
    fire_severity='high'
)

# Parameters used to guide burn severity transformations
# (actual implementation applies via WeppSoilUtil.to9003())

Developer Notes

Adding New Library Soils

To add new pre-built soils to the library:

Choose appropriate directory:
- Database/<state>/ - For NRCS soil series
- Forest/ - For standardized forest/rangeland/disturbed soils (7778)
- Forest2006/ - Only for legacy compatibility (do not extend)

Validate WEPP format:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil

soil = WeppSoilUtil('/path/to/new_soil.sol')
assert soil.datver in [7778.0, 2006.2, 9001, 9002, 9003, 9005]
print(f"Validated: {soil.obj['ofes'][0]['slid']}")

Add to version control:

git add wepppy/wepp/soils/soilsdb/data/<category>/<soil_name>.sol
git commit -m "Add <soil_name> to soilsdb library"

Update CSV summaries if extending Forest collection:

# Regenerate Forest Soils Summary.csv from .sol files
python tools/regenerate_forest_summary.py

Test library loading:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil

soils = load_db()
assert '<category>/<soil_name>.sol' in soils

path = get_soil('<category>/<soil_name>.sol')
assert os.path.exists(path)

Extending `read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars()`

To add new texture or severity combinations:

Add soil files to Forest/ collection:

Forest/High sev fire-<texture>.sol
Forest/Low sev fire-<texture>.sol

Update function logic in __init__.py:

elif simple_texture == 'new_texture':
    if fire_severity == 'high':
        fn = _join(_data_dir, 'Forest', 'High sev fire-new_texture.sol')
    else:
        fn = _join(_data_dir, 'Forest', 'Low sev fire-new_texture.sol')

Add assertion for new texture:

valid_textures = ['silt loam', 'loam', 'sand loam', 'clay loam', 'new_texture']
assert simple_texture in valid_textures, f"Unsupported texture: {simple_texture}"

Add tests:

def test_new_texture_fire_pars():
    ofe = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars('new_texture', 'high')
    assert ofe['texid'] == 'new_texture'
    assert ofe['ki'] > 0

Database Organization

State Directory Naming:

Use lowercase 2-letter state abbreviations: ak, ca, id, etc.
U.S. territories: pr (Puerto Rico), vi (Virgin Islands), etc.

File Naming Convention:

<SERIES_NAME>(<TEXTURE_ABBREV>).sol

Texture Abbreviations:

SIL - Silt loam
L - Loam
SL - Sandy loam
CL - Clay loam
SICL - Silty clay loam
SC - Sandy clay
C - Clay
S - Sand
LS - Loamy sand

Example:

Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol     # Palouse silt loam
Database/ca/YOLO(L).sol          # Yolo loam
Database/mt/BOZEMAN(SICL).sol    # Bozeman silty clay loam

Testing Library Access

import pytest
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil, read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars
from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil

def test_load_db():
    soils = load_db()
    assert len(soils) > 0
    assert any('Forest/' in s for s in soils)
    assert any('Database/' in s for s in soils)

def test_get_soil_valid():
    path = get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol')
    assert os.path.exists(path)
    assert path.endswith('Forest loam.sol')

def test_get_soil_invalid():
    with pytest.raises(AssertionError):
        get_soil('nonexistent/soil.sol')

def test_read_fire_pars():
    for texture in ['loam', 'silt loam', 'sand loam', 'clay loam']:
        for severity in ['high', 'low']:
            ofe = read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars(texture, severity)
            assert ofe['texid'] == texture
            assert ofe['ki'] > 0
            assert ofe['kr'] > 0
            assert len(ofe['horizons']) >= 1

def test_library_soil_loading():
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol'))
    assert soil.simple_texture in ['loam', 'silt loam', 'sand loam', 'clay loam']
    assert soil.soil_depth > 0
    assert soil.datver in [7778.0, 2006.2]

Performance Considerations

Library Loading: load_db() performs filesystem glob operations. For applications accessing many soils, cache the result:

from functools import lru_cache

@lru_cache(maxsize=1)
def cached_load_db():
    from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db
    return load_db()

# Use cached version
soils = cached_load_db()

Soil File Loading: Each WeppSoilUtil() call parses the .sol file. For batch operations, consider:

Pre-load to BSON:

# One-time conversion
soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Forest/Forest loam.sol'))
soil.dump_bson('/cache/forest_loam.bson')

# Faster subsequent loads
soil = WeppSoilUtil('/cache/forest_loam.bson')

Multiprocessing for batch migration:

from concurrent.futures import ProcessPoolExecutor

def process_soil(soil_path):
    from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import get_soil
    from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(soil_path))
    # Process...
    return result

with ProcessPoolExecutor(max_workers=8) as executor:
    results = executor.map(process_soil, soil_list)

Known Limitations

State Coverage

Not all U.S. states have comprehensive Database collections. Coverage depends on NRCS data availability and historical WEPP exports.

Well-Covered States: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, California, North Carolina

Limited Coverage: Some Eastern and Southern states

Texture Gaps

read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars() only supports 4 texture classes:

loam
silt loam
sand loam
clay loam

Soils with other USDA textures (clay, sandy clay, etc.) will raise AssertionError.

Workaround: Map to nearest supported texture or extend library (see Developer Notes).

Version Consistency

Database collection contains mixed WEPP versions (97.5, 2006.2, 7778). Applications requiring consistent versions should:

Filter by version:

from wepppy.wepp.soils.utils import WeppSoilUtil
from wepppy.wepp.soils.soilsdb import load_db, get_soil

soils_7778 = []
for soil_path in load_db():
    soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil(soil_path))
    if soil.datver == 7778.0:
        soils_7778.append(soil_path)

Migrate to target version:

soil = WeppSoilUtil(get_soil('Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol'))
if soil.datver != 7778.0:
    soil = soil.to7778()

Nested Directory Exclusion

load_db() excludes files in nested subdirectories within state folders. Only files directly under Database/<state>/ are included.

Current Behavior:

Database/id/PALOUSE(SIL).sol        ✓ Included
Database/id/subset/ANOTHER(L).sol   ✗ Excluded

This is intentional to avoid including temporary or experimental files. To include nested files, modify the glob pattern in load_db().

Credits

Development:

William Elliot (USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station) - Forest soils calibration
Roger Lew (rogerlew@gmail.com) - Library packaging and API

Data Sources:

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Soil survey database
USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station - Forest disturbance parameters

Funding:

U.S. Forest Service
NSF Idaho EPSCoR Program (Award IIA-1301792)

License: BSD-3-Clause (see license.txt)

WEPP Soil Library (soilsdb)

Overview

API Reference

Browse Library

Get Soil Path

Retrieve Wildfire Soil Parameters

Library Collections

Database Collection

Forest Collection (Modern)

Forest2006 Collection (Legacy)

OFE Structure

Usage Examples

Scenario 1: Populate Watershed with Library Soils

Scenario 2: Build Fire Scenario Soils

Scenario 3: Calibrate Against Library Reference

Scenario 4: Extract Summary Statistics

Scenario 5: Migrate Legacy Database to Modern Format

Integration with NoDb Controllers

Soils Controller

Disturbed Lands Controller

Developer Notes

Adding New Library Soils

Extending `read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars()`

Database Organization

Testing Library Access

Performance Considerations

Known Limitations

State Coverage

Texture Gaps

Version Consistency

Nested Directory Exclusion

Further Reading

WEPP Documentation

Scientific References

Credits

WEPP Soil Library (soilsdb)

Overview

API Reference

Browse Library

Get Soil Path

Retrieve Wildfire Soil Parameters

Library Collections

Database Collection

Forest Collection (Modern)

Forest2006 Collection (Legacy)

OFE Structure

Usage Examples

Scenario 1: Populate Watershed with Library Soils

Scenario 2: Build Fire Scenario Soils

Scenario 3: Calibrate Against Library Reference

Scenario 4: Extract Summary Statistics

Scenario 5: Migrate Legacy Database to Modern Format

Integration with NoDb Controllers

Soils Controller

Disturbed Lands Controller

Developer Notes

Adding New Library Soils

Extending read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars()

Database Organization

Testing Library Access

Performance Considerations

Known Limitations

State Coverage

Texture Gaps

Version Consistency

Nested Directory Exclusion

Further Reading

Related Modules

WEPP Documentation

Scientific References

Credits

Extending `read_disturbed_wepp_soil_fire_pars()`