MODPATH: A Particle-Tracking Model for MODFLOW

Overview of MODPATH

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

MODPATH version 7 is the fourth major release since its original publication. Previous versions were documented in USGS Open-File Reports 89-381 and 94-464 and in USGS Techniques and Methods 6-A41. The current release of MODPATH version 7 (7.2.001) works with MODFLOW-2005, MODFLOW-USG, and MODFLOW-6. Support for unstructured grids in MODFLOW-USG and MODFLOW-6 is limited to smoothed, rectangular-based quadtree and quadpatch grids. In addition to unstructured grid support, input and output formats for MODPATH also have been modified to minimize the difference between MODPATH simulations based on the different versions of MODFLOW.

Note:  MODPATH version 7 only works with quadtree and quadpatch grids if they have a north-south orientation

Download Current Version of MODPATH

MODPATH version 7.2.001 was released December 15, 2017.

• MODPATH Release Notes
• MODPATH ReadMe file
• Download MODPATH program, source code, user guide, example problems and utilities
• Instructions on how to use MODPATH with MODFLOW-NWT

Documentation for MODPATH

Pollock, D.W., 2016, User guide for MODPATH Version 7 -- A particle-tracking model for MODFLOW: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1086, 35 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161086.

Programs Related to MODPATH

• MODPATH-LGR: MODPATH-LGR and MODPATH Version 7 are separate programs with their own distinct input and output structure. MODPATH-LGR is a variation of MODPATH Version 5 that has been modified to work with nested grid output produced by MODFLOW-LGR.

Superseded MODPATH Versions

• MODPATH Version 6.0.01 program, source code, user guide, and example problems

Find MODFLOW-Related Software

Visit the MODFLOW and Related Programs page for a list of MODFLOW-related software.

How to Cite MODPATH

This USGS software has two citations associated with it.

1. The report citation is for the original report or article documenting the underlying theory, methods, instructions, and (or) applications at the time the initial version of the software was released. This digital object identifier (DOI) is for the report.
2. The software release citation is for the software/code itself (now referred to by USGS as a "Software Release") and references a specific version of the code and associated release date. This DOI links to the code.

In instances where an author is citing use of this software, it would be appropriate to cite both the report documenting the code and the specific software release version that was used.

Report Citation for MODPATH

Pollock, D.W., 2016, User guide for MODPATH Version 7 -- A particle-tracking model for MODFLOW: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1086, 35 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161086.

Software/Code Citation for MODPATH v7.1.000

Pollock, D.W., 2017, MODPATH v7.2.01: A particle-tracking model for MODFLOW: U.S. Geological Survey Software Release, 15 December 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.5066/F70P0X5X.