DWR's Basin Characterization Tools - BCTools

BCTools is composed of three modules: the Data2HSM suite of hydrostratigraphic modeling tools, the Texture2Par suite of texture and aquifer parameter modeling tools, and a preprocessor designed to format data for input into each of these tools.

The BCTools User Guide serves as a quick start guide for BCTools. It covers how to install and set up the suite of programs, obtain input data, and launch the programs. Detailed information on the Data2HSM and Texture2Par tools — including the underlying theory and methods — is provided in the documents below: + [Data2HSM](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/73bb5449-b7a8-43f9-89c5-c7b69127594b "Data2HSM") + [Texture2Par](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/40b4f199-39d8-408b-9105-edc3b386f559 "Texture2Par") + [AEM Data Preprocessor](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/e6146fd6-9f71-47c6-adde-7ac1c63be700 "AEM Data Preprocessor") File updated on 3/27/2026.

The Data2HSM User Manual provides a quick‑start guide, setup and execution steps, tool descriptions, input and output options, and key assumptions and limitations. Data2HSM is a tool that allows users to generate hydrostratigraphic models and aquifer surfaces from AEM data, lithology logs, and geophysical logs. Possible outputs include: + Groundwater model layering prototypes + Hydrogeologic conceptual models + 3D lithologic models + Surfaces such as aquifer/aquitard bases, geologic formations, the water table, base of freshwater, or top of bedrock Data2HSM consists of one interface with three main tools: + ###Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) GMM converts AEM data into 2D and 3D lithologic or stratigraphic models. Users can also include existing stratigraphic or texture models to guide the tool. GMM uses unsupervised machine learning to assign data points to user‑defined clusters that represent either lithologic groups (e.g., sand, clay, gravel) or stratigraphic units. When configured for stratigraphy, the tool uses prior geologic knowledge and a coordinate transformation to help maintain geologic consistency. + ###Smart Interpretation (SI) Smart Interpretation helps users rapidly delineate hydrogeologic surfaces such as aquifer/aquitard bases, the water table, the base of freshwater, or the top of bedrock. Users provide a small set of interpretations—either from past work or from other datasets—and SI uses polynomial regression informed by AEM data to complete the surface. An interactive 3D viewer allows additional interpretations using AEM sections, boring logs, and geologic cross‑sections. Multiple surfaces can be interpreted in one session. + ###Geological Pseudolabel Deep Neural Network (GeoPDNN) GeoPDNN is a deep‑learning tool that generates continuous 3D geological models from interval‑based datasets such as boring logs or AEM soundings. It takes in location coordinates and interval data and outputs a 3D stratigraphic model and surfaces marking the base of each unit. ###Key References: This manual draws on foundational research supporting Data2HSM’s methods, including: + [GeoPDNN 1.0: A semi‑supervised deep learning framework for 3D geologic modeling using pseudo‑labels](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10604091 "GeoPDNN 1.0: A semi‑supervised deep learning framework for 3D geologic modeling using pseudo‑labels") (Guo & X, 2023). + [Smart Interpretation – supervised statistical models for automated geological interpretations](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10596-017-9621-8 "Smart Interpretation – supervised statistical models for automated geological interpretations")(Gulbrandsen et al., 2017). This file contains Appendix B: Data2HSM User Manual from the [BCTools User Manual](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/d9d4792a-6746-4ea0-8e8b-694bdb545fc7 "BCTools User Manual"). File updated on 3/27/2026. ###Questions and comments may be directed to Basin.Characterization@water.ca.gov.

Texture2Par generates 3D texture models and aquifer parameter datasets for groundwater flow modeling. Written in Fortran, Texture2Par can be used standalone or within a larger automated workflow such as groundwater model calibration. Texture2Par can be used for generating the following: + ###Texture Model Texture2Par can be used to develop Texture Models. To develop Texture Models, Texture2Par uses ordinary, block, or indicator kriging and co‑kriging to convert lithology logs, and geophysical data interpreted for texture (from AEM or geophysical logs) into 3D texture models. It supports anisotropic and isotropic variograms and cross‑variograms. + ###Aquifer Properties Texture2Par can also be used to develop Aquifer Properties for Groundwater Models. To obtain Aquifer Properties, Texture2Par uses empirical relationships between texture and aquifer properties to estimate horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity, specific yield, and specific storage throughout a model domain. The tool also supports a pilot‑point approach to incorporate spatially distributed aquifer parameter measurements, such as pumping test results. Aquifer Properties can directly output parameter files for IWFM and MODFLOW. The Texture2Par User Manual provides an overview of the tool inputs, outputs, setup and execution, and limitations. ###Key References: + [Texture2Par User’s Guide: A Parameterization Utility for IWFM and MODFLOW, Version 1.0.0](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/svsim/resource/88cbfa06-a2e7-4078-8f76-a1044d32fe70 "Texture2Par User’s Guide: A Parameterization Utility for IWFM and MODFLOW, Version 1.0.0) (DWR, 2022). + [Texture2Par: A texture-driven tool for estimating subsurface hydraulic properties](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106372 "Texture2Par: A texture-driven tool for estimating subsurface hydraulic properties") (Scantlebury et al., 2025. This file contains Appendix C: Texture2Par from the [BCTools User Manual](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/d9d4792a-6746-4ea0-8e8b-694bdb545fc7 "BCTools User Manual"). File updated on 3/27/2026. ###Questions and comments may be directed to Basin.Characterization@water.ca.gov.

The AEM Data Preprocessor prepares AEM datasets from DWR’s statewide surveys for use in Texture2Par (for Texture Models) and Data2HSM’s GMM and SI tools. It takes resistivity models and coarse fraction models as inputs and outputs a single formatted file suitable for use in the modeling tools. The AEM Data Preprocessor must be run before using AEM data in Data2HSM or Texture2Par. This file contains Appendix A: AEM Data Preprocessor from the [BCTools User Manual](https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/dwr-basin-characterization-bctools/resource/d9d4792a-6746-4ea0-8e8b-694bdb545fc7 "BCTools User Manual"). File updated on 3/27/2026

This package includes example datasets to help users learn and practice using the BCTools Version 2026.01 software. File uploaded on 3/25/2026.