Creating nodes and links

Owned by teamcity (Deactivated)
Last updated: 17 Oct 2023 by Rohan Thomas
2 min read

There are a few simple rules which you should be aware of in creating nodes and links within MUSIC:

  • There are separate source nodes for urban, agricultural and forested sub-catchments. Each of these three source nodes has its own default discharge pollutant concentrations. Therefore, to represent a sub-catchment made up of differing component land-uses, you must create separate source nodes to represent each of these dominant land-uses.
  • Buffer Strips () are source control measures. They may only be located directly downstream of a source node, and cannot be located downstream of a treatment node.
  • Each catchment file can have only one receiving node, though the pre and post development nodes can be used in conjunction with one receiving node. A receiving node is not necessary in the model, but becomes a useful reference point in most models as representing the ultimate outlet.
  • A source node or treatment node can have only one link downstream of it.
  • Source nodes must be between 0.01ha and 10,000ha (ideally the lower limit of source node area should be 1ha).
  • Realistic bounds on size and other design parameters are also specified for treatment nodes.
  • Drainage links can be specified with or without routing (specified using the Edit Properties menu-item in the context-sensitive menu for that node). Additional rules regarding the creation of primary and secondary drainage links can be found here.


It is good practice to record any important details (using the button) about the node you are entering, for future reference. For example, you may record any assumptions or data used to size a treatment node. This will help other people to understand your model.