Overview of SPARROW
Current SPARROW model execution requires the SAS (Statistical Analysis System Institute) software components, including Base SAS, the SAS statistical procedures (SAS/STAT) and SAS/IML. The SPARROW model code is written in SAS Macro Language, with statistical procedures written in the SAS IML. A basic knowledge of the Base SAS software is required to develop simple SPARROW models. Modifications to the model code to develop more complex models require more detailed knowledge of SAS/IML language and programming.
SPARROW runs with SAS version 8.0 (or higher), supported on Windows 95 or Windows NT Version 4.0 (or higher). The SAS Geographic Information System (SAS/GIS) software component is optional for producing maps of model output. The minimum hardware configuration is Intel or Intel-compatible Pentium class processor with 64 megabytes of memory, and XGA or SVGA monitors with minimum screen resolution of 800x600. The work directory used by the SAS system must be of sufficient capacity to hold files as large as several hundred megabytes.
Vist the national USGS SPARROW website for a complete overview of SPARROW.
Download Current Version of SPARROW
The current version of SPARROW is version 2.10, released
SPARROW v2.10 for Microsoft Windows; distribution includes documentation, release notes, source code, and example problem [25.2MB ZIP]
Summary of revisions [31KB TXT]
Documentation
Find All SPARROW Related Software
Visit the SPARROW Programs page for a list of all SPARROW-related software.
Documentation for SPARROW
SPARROW is documented in the following:
Schwarz, G.E., Hoos, A.B., Alexander, R.B., Smith R.A., 2006, Section 3. The SPARROW Surface Water-Quality Model:, Theory, Application and User Documentation: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. B3, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm6B3
Detailed installation instructions are provided in Part 2 (p. 123) of the SPARROW documentation.
What’s New: A new version of the SPARROW code is being developed in the R programming language. The advantage of R is that it is non-proprietary and does not require a license or software cost. The R – SPARROW code is now being completed and should be available early in CY18. Stay Tuned.