TauDEM (Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models) is a suite of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) tools for the extraction and analysis of hydrologic information from topography as represented by a DEM. TauDEM provides the following capability:
Development of hydrologically correct (pit removed) DEMs using the flooding approach
Calculates flow paths (directions) and slopes
Calculates contributing area using single and multiple flow direction methods
Multiple methods for the delineation of stream networks including topographic form-based methods sensitive to spatially variable drainage density
Objective methods for determination of the channel network delineation threshold based on stream drops
Delineation of watersheds and subwatersheds draining to each stream segment and association between watershed and segment attributes for setting up hydrologic models
Specialized functions for terrain analysis, including:
Calculates the slope/area ratio that is the basis for the topographic wetness index
Calculates both the distance up to ridges and down to streams in horizontal, vertical, along slope and direct variants
Maps locations upslope where activities have an effect on a downslope location
Evaluates upslope contribution subject to decay or attenuation
Calculates accumulation where the uptake is subject to concentration limitations
Calculates accumulation where the uptake is subject to transport limitations
Evaluates reverse accumulation
Evaluates potential avalanche runout areas