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MIKE SHE Public Data Catalog

Indonesia

Version: 0.1 test template
Purpose: Country-specific public dataset catalog for building simple to advanced MIKE SHE models
Region: Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and other islands)

Quick Start

Minimum Public Datasets for Recharge Modelling with MIKE SHE (Indonesia)

If your objective is to calculate distributed groundwater recharge (without simulating groundwater flow or rivers), only five dataset categories are required.

The datasets below are free and cover the whole of Indonesia. National portals are often in Indonesian and may require registration.

MIKE SHE Input Dataset Type Recommended Dataset Spatial Availability Why recommended
Topography (DEM) Gridded DEMNAS (Badan Informasi Geospasial) Indonesia National DEM at ~8 m resolution, derived from IFSAR, TerraSAR-X and ALOS PALSAR data with stereo-plotting masspoints. Much more detailed than global 30 m DEMs for slopes, drainage and overland flow.
Land Cover Gridded / vector ESA WorldCover

National land cover (Penutupan Lahan) from the forestry ministry		 Indonesia WorldCover provides consistent 10 m classes. The national land-cover map provides Indonesian forest, plantation, peat swamp forest and rice-field classes, with annual updates.
Soil Hydraulic Properties Gridded SoilGrids Global 250 m soil texture, bulk density and organic carbon at six depth intervals. Van Genuchten parameters must be derived with pedotransfer functions. Peat areas require separate treatment.
Precipitation Gridded CHIRPS for daily, long-term modelling

GPM IMERG or GSMaP for sub-daily modelling		 Indonesia CHIRPS provides daily rainfall from 1981 at ~5 km, blended with gauges. IMERG and GSMaP provide half-hourly or hourly satellite rainfall for convective storms and floods.
Time Series BMKG Data Online Nationwide (station-dependent) Daily observations from BMKG meteorological, climatological and geophysical stations. Recommended for checking and bias-correcting gridded rainfall.
Meteorological Forcing / Potential ET Gridded ERA5-Land

TerraClimate for monthly checks		 Global ERA5-Land provides hourly temperature, humidity, wind and radiation for calculating FAO-56 reference ET. TerraClimate provides monthly ~4 km reference ET for plausibility checks.
Time Series BMKG Data Online Nationwide (station-dependent) Temperature, humidity, sunshine duration and wind for calculating reference ET at station level.

Optional Improvements

Dataset Purpose
FABDEM Forest-removed 30 m DEM for areas where DEMNAS has canopy artefacts
National peat map and Peat Hydrological Units (KHG) Mapping of peat areas for separate parameterization
MODIS MCD15A3H Dynamic Leaf Area Index (LAI)
Sentinel-2 Verification and updating of land-cover maps
GLEAM / MODIS MOD16 Validation of simulated actual evapotranspiration
SMAP Regional soil-moisture validation
  1. Download DEMNAS for the model domain.
  2. Delineate the model domain and prepare the terrain model.
  3. Download ESA WorldCover and the national land-cover map and assign MIKE SHE vegetation classes.
  4. Download SoilGrids, derive van Genuchten parameters, and overwrite peat areas with peat-specific parameters.
  5. Choose your meteorological forcing:
  6. Option A (recommended): Use CHIRPS or IMERG/GSMaP for precipitation and ERA5-Land for the other climate variables.
  7. Option B: Import observations from BMKG stations directly into MIKE SHE.
  8. Let MIKE SHE calculate evapotranspiration internally using the selected vegetation and soil parameters.
  9. Check simulated actual ET against GLEAM or MODIS MOD16.
  10. Export the distributed groundwater recharge for use in MODFLOW, FEFLOW, or other groundwater models.

1. Introduction for advanced data sources

1.1 Purpose

This document summarizes public datasets that can be used to construct a physically based MIKE SHE model for Indonesia.

The catalog is organized according to the typical MIKE SHE model-building workflow rather than only by dataset type. It covers datasets for terrain, land cover, meteorological forcing, ET, rivers and peatlands, soils, hydrogeology, groundwater, water management, and calibration.

1.2 Intended Use

This catalog is intended for:

  • rapid screening models
  • river basin water-balance models
  • peatland hydrology and restoration studies
  • urban groundwater and land subsidence studies
  • irrigation and rice-field water management assessments
  • flood studies
  • applied MIKE SHE model setup

1.3 General Notes for Indonesia

  • Most national portals are in Indonesian and some require registration or institutional access.
  • The national geospatial reference system is SRGI2013. Projected models typically use UTM zones 46–54 (north or south of the equator).
  • Government reorganizations are frequent (e.g. the split of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2024), so portal addresses change regularly.
  • Much detailed data is held by the river basin organizations (BBWS/BWS), provincial agencies and universities, and is obtained on request.
  • Frequent cloud cover limits optical satellite data; radar products are often more reliable.

2. Hydrological Characteristics of Indonesia

2.1 Climate

  • humid equatorial climate with high rainfall across most islands
  • monsoonal wet (around November–April) and dry seasons in Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara
  • annual rainfall ranging from below 1,000 mm in parts of Nusa Tenggara to more than 4,000 mm in mountainous areas
  • intense convective rainfall and urban flash floods
  • strong ENSO and Indian Ocean Dipole influence, with severe droughts and peat fires in El Niño years (e.g. 2015, 2019)

2.2 Topography

  • volcanic arcs with steep, high-permeability volcanic slopes (Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi)
  • extensive lowland peat swamps (Sumatra, Kalimantan, Papua)
  • large river systems (e.g. Kapuas, Mahakam, Barito, Musi, Mamberamo)
  • karst regions (e.g. Gunung Sewu in Java)
  • densely populated coastal plains and deltas (e.g. north coast of Java)
  • many small islands

2.3 Major Hydrological Challenges

  • land subsidence from groundwater over-abstraction (e.g. Jakarta, Semarang, Bandung)
  • urban flooding and coastal inundation
  • peatland drainage, fires and subsidence
  • irrigation water management for rice cultivation
  • deforestation and land-use change (oil palm, pulpwood, mining)
  • volcanic spring aquifers supporting water supply
  • seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers
  • freshwater scarcity on small and dry islands
  • sediment and erosion in steep catchments

2.4 Major Aquifer Systems

Groundwater is managed through groundwater basins (Cekungan Air Tanah, CAT). Important aquifer settings include:

  • Jakarta groundwater basin (multi-layer coastal aquifer system)
  • Bandung-Soreang basin (volcanic-lacustrine sediments)
  • Semarang-Demak basin (coastal alluvium)
  • volcanic slope aquifers with large springs (e.g. around Merapi, Arjuno, Rinjani)
  • karst aquifers (e.g. Gunung Sewu)
  • alluvial and peat-covered aquifers of Sumatra and Kalimantan
  • small-island freshwater lenses

3. Recommended Dataset Stack

Component Recommended Dataset Alternative Dataset Importance
DEM DEMNAS FABDEM, Copernicus GLO-30 ★★★★★
Land cover National land cover (forestry ministry) ESA WorldCover, MapBiomas Indonesia ★★★★★
Peatlands National peat map and Peat Hydrological Units (KHG) Global Peatland Map ★★★★★ (peat areas)
LAI MODIS MCD15A3H Sentinel-2 derived LAI ★★★★☆
Precipitation CHIRPS GPM IMERG, GSMaP, BMKG ★★★★★
Climate forcing ERA5-Land BMKG, TerraClimate ★★★★★
Potential ET FAO-56 from ERA5-Land BMKG stations ★★★★☆
Rivers Ina-Geoportal (RBI rivers) MERIT Hydro ★★★★★
Watersheds Watershed boundaries (DAS) and river territories (WS) HydroBASINS ★★★★☆
Soil SoilGrids National soil maps (Ministry of Agriculture) ★★★★☆
Hydrogeology Badan Geologi hydrogeological maps and CAT boundaries WHYMAP ★★★★★
Groundwater heads Badan Geologi monitoring wells Local agencies, IGRAC GGIS ★★★★☆
Peat water table BRGM peat water-level monitoring (SIPALAGA) Company monitoring ★★★★★ (peat areas)
Streamflow calibration River basin organizations (SDA PU) GRDC ★★★★★
Actual ET validation GLEAM MODIS MOD16, SSEBop ★★★★☆
Land subsidence Sentinel-1 InSAR Local GNSS and levelling ★★★★☆
Soil moisture validation SMAP ESA CCI Soil Moisture ★★★☆☆

4. Terrain Model

4.1 Purpose in MIKE SHE

Terrain data are required for model surface elevation, overland-flow gradients, surface storage, catchment delineation, river network verification, and floodplain connectivity.

4.2 Dataset Comparison

Dataset Coverage Resolution Format MIKE SHE Suitability Advantages Limitations Recommendation
DEMNAS Indonesia ~8 m GeoTIFF Primary DEM Highest-resolution national DEM Partly a surface model with canopy effects; registration required ★★★★★
FABDEM Global 30 m GeoTIFF Forested areas Canopy and buildings removed Licence restricts commercial use ★★★★☆
Copernicus GLO-30 Global 30 m GeoTIFF Backup DEM Consistent quality Includes canopy ★★★☆☆
Local LiDAR Selected areas (cities, peat concessions) ≤1 m Various Local models Very accurate Access by request ★★★★★ (where available)

4.3 Typical Preprocessing

  • reproject to SRGI2013 / UTM zone
  • clip to model domain plus buffer
  • compare DEMNAS with FABDEM in forested areas
  • condition drainage in flat peat and coastal areas
  • resample to model grid
  • smooth only where needed for numerical stability

4.4 Quality Checks

  • check flat peat domes and coastal lowlands for artificial depressions
  • check canal networks in drained peat, which the DEM may not resolve
  • check urban areas and polders in Jakarta and Semarang
  • account for land subsidence since the DEM acquisition date

5. Surface Water

5.1 Rivers

Dataset Coverage Format MIKE SHE / MIKE 1D Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
Ina-Geoportal – Rupa Bumi Indonesia (RBI) Indonesia Vector Rivers, lakes, canals Official topographic mapping Topology limited ★★★★★
MERIT Hydro Global Raster Flow directions, river width Hydrologically consistent 90 m ★★★★☆
HydroRIVERS / HydroBASINS Global Vector Screening Easy to use Generalized ★★★☆☆

5.2 Lakes, Reservoirs and Wetlands

Dataset Use Recommendation
Ina-Geoportal (RBI) Lakes and reservoirs ★★★★☆
JRC Global Surface Water Water occurrence and seasonality ★★★★☆
Global Mangrove Watch Mangrove extent ★★★★☆
Sentinel-1 SAR Flood and peat inundation mapping ★★★★★

5.3 Peatlands

Peatlands are central for hydrological modelling in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua.

  • national peat maps (Ministry of Agriculture) define peat extent and depth classes
  • Peat Hydrological Units (Kesatuan Hidrologis Gambut, KHG) define peat dome boundaries between rivers and are natural model domains
  • canal networks from concessions and restoration programmes control drainage
  • peat water-table monitoring from the peat restoration agency (BRGM, SIPALAGA system) supports calibration

5.4 Typical Preprocessing

  • simplify river network
  • digitize canals in drained peat areas from Sentinel-2 or high-resolution imagery
  • include canal blocks for restoration scenarios
  • represent peat domes and floodplains as overland-flow storage
  • include tidal boundary conditions in coastal lowlands

6. Land Cover and Vegetation

6.1 Purpose in MIKE SHE

Land cover and vegetation define interception, ET parameters, root depth, crop coefficients, Manning roughness, irrigation zones, and impervious areas.

6.2 Dataset Comparison

Dataset Coverage Resolution Format MIKE SHE Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
National land cover (Penutupan Lahan) Indonesia 1:250,000 Vector Primary land-cover zones Official, annual, Indonesian classes including peat swamp forest Coarse scale ★★★★★
ESA WorldCover Global 10 m Raster High-resolution land cover Detailed 2020 and 2021 only ★★★★☆
MapBiomas Indonesia Indonesia 30 m Raster Annual land-cover time series Long time series Check class definitions ★★★★☆
Rice-field base map (Lahan Baku Sawah) Indonesia Vector Vector Paddy irrigation zones Official rice-field map Access by request ★★★★☆
Hansen Global Forest Change Global 30 m Raster Forest loss Annual since 2000 Forest only ★★★★☆

6.3 Vegetation Datasets

Parameter Dataset Use Recommendation
LAI MODIS MCD15A3H Seasonal LAI ★★★☆☆
NDVI Sentinel-2 / Landsat Crop calendars, plantation age ★★★★☆
Crop coefficient FAO-56 Rice, oil palm, sugarcane ★★★★☆

6.4 Typical Preprocessing

  • reclassify into MIKE SHE vegetation zones
  • separate natural forest, peat swamp forest, oil palm, pulpwood (acacia), rubber, rice fields, dry cropland, and urban areas
  • represent rice fields with ponding and irrigation schedules
  • consider plantation age and replanting cycles in oil palm areas

7. Meteorological Forcing

7.1 Precipitation

Dataset Coverage Resolution Temporal Resolution MIKE SHE Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
CHIRPS 50°S–50°N ~5 km Daily, since 1981 Long-term forcing Gauge-blended Daily only ★★★★★
GPM IMERG Global ~10 km 30 min Event forcing High temporal resolution Bias correction needed ★★★★★
GSMaP Global ~10 km Hourly Event forcing Good performance in Asia Bias correction needed ★★★★☆
BMKG Data Online Station network Point Daily Station forcing and bias correction Official observations Gaps; registration ★★★★★
ERA5-Land Global ~9 km Hourly Backup Consistent Poor convective rainfall ★★☆☆☆

7.2 Climate Variables

Variable Recommended Dataset Alternatives MIKE SHE Use
Air temperature ERA5-Land BMKG ET
Wind speed ERA5-Land BMKG Penman-Monteith
Humidity ERA5-Land BMKG Vapour-pressure deficit
Solar radiation ERA5-Land NASA POWER, BMKG sunshine duration ET energy term
Reference ET FAO-56 from ERA5-Land TerraClimate PET forcing

7.3 Notes

  • apply lapse rates to temperature on volcanic slopes
  • use sub-daily forcing for urban flood and flash-flood studies
  • consider haze from peat fires, which reduces solar radiation in drought years

8. Soil Data

8.1 Dataset Comparison

Dataset Coverage Resolution Parameters MIKE SHE Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
SoilGrids Global 250 m Texture, bulk density, organic carbon Primary UZ parameterization Six depth intervals Poor for peat and volcanic soils ★★★★☆
National soil maps (Ministry of Agriculture) Indonesia (partly 1:50,000) Mapped units Soil types and properties Local refinement Country-specific Access varies ★★★★☆
National peat map Peat areas 1:50,000 Peat extent and depth classes Peat parameterization Essential for peat areas Depth uncertain ★★★★★ (peat areas)
HWSD v2 Global ~1 km Soil units Comparison Harmonized Coarse ★★☆☆☆

8.2 Typical Preprocessing

  • derive van Genuchten parameters with pedotransfer functions suited to tropical soils
  • assign peat-specific hydraulic parameters (high porosity, very high near-surface conductivity decreasing with depth)
  • treat volcanic ash soils (andosols) separately
  • represent the plough pan beneath rice fields as a low-conductivity layer

9. Hydrogeology

9.1 Dataset Comparison

Dataset Coverage Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
Badan Geologi hydrogeological maps (1:250,000) Indonesia Aquifer productivity and extent National hydrogeology Generalized ★★★★★
Groundwater basin (CAT) boundaries Indonesia Management and model domains Official basins Boundaries only ★★★★★
Badan Geologi geological maps Indonesia Geological framework National coverage Hydrogeological interpretation required ★★★★☆
WHYMAP / GLHYMPS Global Screening Consistent Very generalized ★★☆☆☆

9.2 Conceptual Model Recommendations

  • multi-layer coastal aquifers with heavy pumping and compaction (subsidence)
  • volcanic aquifers with high recharge and large springs
  • karst conduits in limestone areas
  • peat layers over mineral substrate with very shallow water tables
  • freshwater lenses on small islands

10. Groundwater Data

Dataset Coverage Use Recommendation
Badan Geologi monitoring wells Major CATs (e.g. Jakarta) Heads and trends ★★★★☆
Provincial groundwater permits Provinces Pumping locations and volumes ★★★☆☆
BRGM peat water-level monitoring (SIPALAGA) Peat restoration areas Peat water table ★★★★★
Concession monitoring (plantations) Peat concessions Water table and canal levels ★★★★☆
IGRAC GGIS Global Supplementary data ★★☆☆☆

11. Water Management

11.1 Relevant Processes

  • irrigation for rice (large technical irrigation schemes)
  • groundwater pumping for urban and industrial supply
  • reservoirs and river regulation
  • canal drainage and canal blocking in peatlands
  • flood control and polders in coastal cities
  • water supply from springs

11.2 Regulatory Framework

  • water resources are governed by Law No. 17 of 2019 on Water Resources
  • groundwater abstraction requires permits; groundwater is managed per CAT
  • Government Regulation 57/2016 on peat ecosystem protection requires the peat water table to be kept no deeper than 0.4 m below the surface at compliance points
  • river basins are managed by river basin organizations (BBWS/BWS) under the Ministry of Public Works

11.3 Key Institutions

Topic Institution
Meteorology and climate BMKG
Geospatial data Badan Informasi Geospasial
Groundwater and geology Badan Geologi (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)
Surface water and irrigation Directorate General of Water Resources (PU)
Peatland restoration BRGM
Land cover and forest Ministry of Forestry / Ministry of Environment

12. Remote Sensing Products

Dataset Coverage Resolution Use Recommendation
Sentinel-1 SAR / InSAR Global 10 m Flood mapping, peat and urban subsidence ★★★★★
GLEAM Global ~25 km Actual ET ★★★★☆
MODIS MOD16 Global 500 m Actual ET ★★★☆☆
Sentinel-2 Global 10 m Land cover, canals, rice calendars ★★★★☆
Landsat Global 30 m Long-term land-cover change ★★★★☆
ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Global 25 m mosaics Forest and wetness under cloud ★★★★☆
SMAP Global Coarse Soil moisture ★★★☆☆
GRACE / GRACE-FO Global ~300 km Large-scale storage change ★★☆☆☆

13. Calibration Datasets

Target Dataset Use Recommendation
River discharge River basin organizations, GRDC Streamflow calibration ★★★★★
Groundwater heads Badan Geologi / local agencies SZ calibration ★★★★☆
Peat water table SIPALAGA / concession data Peat hydrology ★★★★★
Land subsidence Sentinel-1 InSAR Compaction and peat oxidation ★★★★☆
Inundation extent Sentinel-1 Flood and peat inundation ★★★★☆
Actual ET GLEAM, MODIS MOD16 ET plausibility ★★★☆☆

Recommended strategy: combine discharge with groundwater or peat water-table observations and remote-sensing validation rather than calibrating against discharge alone.

14. Typical MIKE SHE Workflow

  1. Define modelling objective and domain (river basin, CAT, or KHG).
  2. Prepare the DEM from DEMNAS.
  3. Build the river and canal network from RBI and imagery.
  4. Prepare land cover from the national land-cover map and WorldCover.
  5. Assign vegetation parameters, including rice and plantation calendars.
  6. Prepare precipitation from CHIRPS or IMERG/GSMaP, bias-corrected with BMKG gauges.
  7. Prepare climate forcing and reference ET from ERA5-Land.
  8. Prepare soil properties from SoilGrids and the national peat map.
  9. Build hydrogeological layers from Badan Geologi maps.
  10. Add groundwater pumping and irrigation.
  11. Couple rivers, canals and groundwater.
  12. Calibrate discharge, heads or peat water tables.
  13. Validate with InSAR subsidence, inundation and ET products.
  14. Document assumptions and uncertainties.

15. Minimum Dataset Package

Model Element Dataset
DEM DEMNAS
Land cover ESA WorldCover
Precipitation CHIRPS
Climate forcing and PET ERA5-Land
Rivers RBI (Ina-Geoportal)
Soils SoilGrids
Hydrogeology Badan Geologi maps
Validation GLEAM

16. Recommended Dataset Package

Model Element Dataset
DEM DEMNAS + FABDEM in forested areas
Precipitation IMERG or GSMaP, bias-corrected with BMKG
Climate forcing ERA5-Land + BMKG stations
Land cover National land cover + WorldCover + rice-field map
Soils SoilGrids + national soil and peat maps
Hydrogeology Badan Geologi maps + CAT boundaries
Groundwater heads Badan Geologi / SIPALAGA
Pumping Groundwater permits
Discharge River basin organizations
Subsidence Sentinel-1 InSAR
Actual ET GLEAM + MODIS MOD16

17. Premium Dataset Package

Dataset Type Possible Source Purpose
Airborne LiDAR Cities, peat restoration programmes, concessions Accurate terrain and peat surface
Peat depth surveys Restoration programmes and concessions Peat thickness and storage
Dense rain gauges and weather stations Local agencies and projects Local forcing
Pumping records Water utilities and industry Pumping stress
Boreholes and pumping tests Badan Geologi and projects Aquifer parameters
Irrigation scheme operations River basin organizations Irrigation demand and return flows
GNSS and levelling Local studies Subsidence validation

18. Dataset Comparison Table Template

Dataset Coverage Spatial Resolution Temporal Resolution Time Period Format API / Access License MIKE SHE Use Advantages Limitations Recommendation
★☆☆☆☆

19. Data Preparation Checklist

Terrain

  • [ ] DEMNAS downloaded
  • [ ] DEM projected and clipped
  • [ ] canopy artefacts checked
  • [ ] subsidence since DEM acquisition considered

Surface Water

  • [ ] rivers and canals prepared
  • [ ] KHG boundaries obtained for peat areas
  • [ ] tidal and river boundaries assigned

Land Cover and Vegetation

  • [ ] land cover reclassified
  • [ ] rice fields and plantations identified
  • [ ] crop calendars defined

Weather

  • [ ] satellite precipitation downloaded
  • [ ] BMKG data obtained
  • [ ] reference ET calculated

Soil

  • [ ] SoilGrids downloaded
  • [ ] peat areas parameterized separately
  • [ ] rice-field plough pan represented

Groundwater

  • [ ] CAT boundaries and hydrogeological maps obtained
  • [ ] heads and permits collected
  • [ ] boundary conditions defined

Calibration and Validation

  • [ ] discharge data obtained
  • [ ] peat water-table data obtained where relevant
  • [ ] InSAR subsidence prepared where relevant
  • [ ] ET products prepared

20. References and Official Data Portals

21. Notes on Uncertainty

  • satellite rainfall bias for convective and orographic rainfall
  • DEM errors under forest and in flat peat areas
  • peat thickness, hydraulic properties and subsidence
  • canal networks and canal-block effects
  • unregistered groundwater abstraction
  • rice-field water management and irrigation return flows
  • rapid land-use change
  • limited and discontinuous discharge records
  • ENSO-driven drought and fire years

A defensible model should document dataset choices, preprocessing assumptions, calibration strategy, validation results, and known limitations.