Working with RIBASIM means applying a structured approach to river basin planning and management. This structured approach forms the basis for the working environment. In the design of this working environment, the user and the simulation process play a key role. 

RIBASIM is map oriented. A flexible modelling environment has been designed in which the modelling system is made independent of the user’s choice of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It is centred around the network editor: Netter, the Delft-GIS tool.

The surface water availability In RIBASIM can be modelled various ways: As an explicitly defined multiple year time series. Those time series can be prepared using monitoring time series or can be generated outside RIBASIM with the Deltares distributed rainfall-runoff model Wflow. RIBASIM also includes the Sacramento rainfall-runoff model

The following water users (stakeholders) and water using activities are taken into account: (Irrigated) Agriculture, Fresh and brackish water aquaculture, Domestic supply, etc.

The integrated water resources management (IWRM) planning process needs input from spatial projections of land use and population. Those future projections must be consistent on: the spatial distribution at local level of the population and employment;

RIBASIM contains a very strong reservoir operation simulation component used to model single and multi-purpose reservoirs, lakes and storage basins. The following aspects are taken into account: Various outlets: main gate, turbine gate, spillway

RIBASIM contains a groundwater simulation component, which computes the aquifer water balance considering the aquifer characteristics, the external inflows, groundwater recharge, groundwater abstractions and lateral flows.

RIBASIM has a general setup. A variety of water management and water allocation procedures can be modelled. The following features are available: Water allocation priority per individual user.

Hydro power production can be modelled at reservoirs and run-of-river hydro power stations. The produced energy is computed based on the hydro-power station characteristics and the actual water levels upstream (reservoir water level) and downstream (tail water level).

RIBASIM accepts basically any time step size. However, most basin simulations are executed on a: Monthly basis, Half-monthly basis, 10 days basis (decade), Weekly basis, or Daily basis

Using a set of simulations, usually made for a range of alternative development or management strategies, the performance of the basin is evaluated on time step and annual basis in terms of: Water allocation.

RIBASIM computes the flow composition at any location in the basin. Sources like runoff from a sub-catchment, agriculture drainage, domestic and industrial sewage, reservoir water, groundwater, etc.

RIBASIM supports various levels of water quality related modelling options which are carried out after the water allocation computation: Flow composition.

Sediment can come from soil erosion in the catchment and may gradually accumulate from the river in the reservoirs. This accumulation is a serious problem in many parts of the world and has severe consequences for water management, flood control, and production of energy.

RIBASIM computes the water balance for all elements in the network schematization over time. Those water balances on the level of defined water bodies can be exported to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) explorer.