An Open-Source Python Framework for the Flexible Deployment and Advanced Applications of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) Model

Abstract. The development of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model to version 5 has endowed it with enhanced land-surface-modelling features, establishing it as a modern and cutting-edge tool for hydrological research. However, its adoption is limited by challenges in complex data processing and parameter preparation. To address this issue, this study proposes the Easy VIC Build (EVB) framework, an open-source Python package with an object-oriented, modular design, developed for efficient and flexible VIC deployment. Two real-world basin setups were selected for model application to validate the effectiveness of the EVB framework. The results indicate that, based on the EVB framework, reliable spatial parameters with robust transferability can be derived, while VIC models can be conveniently deployed and achieve satisfactory simulation performance. The EVB framework provides a well-suited workbench for advanced applications of the VIC model, promising to further leverage the value of VIC-5 in hydrology and related fields.