How can I change output file names or save them in a specific directory with mf6 simulation ?

[valDallalba]

Hey,

I'm struggling with finding a way to work in a parallel manner with one input directory containing all the model files and then saving the outputs of each test in a new specific folder as the simulation are running in parallel.

I have one large mf6 model and all the files are stored in a working directory (model_load). I would like to try different permeability fields for this model and compare the outputs. The code runs on a cluster and I would like to use the same input folder for all of my workers/tests and change only the name or directory where the model is stored while running.

I having a hard time finding a way to redirect these specific files that are created when my model start to run : mfsim.lst, my_model.cbc, my_model.lst, my_model.dis.grb, my_model.hds.

I tried different methods to change the relative path of my simulation but nothing seems to work this far.

I tried to :
First loading my model :

simu  = fp.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_name='daily', exe_name=exe_name, sim_ws=model_load)

and then change the model path :

gwf = simu.get_model()
gwf.set_model_relative_path = 'new_path

or change the simu path or simu name :

simu.file_name  = 'new_name'
simu.set_sim_path = 'new_path'

But the output are still the same and still stored in my original directory, the model_load one. With their name unchanged. I also tried to give a specific name to each simulation when loaded but it does not affect the output.

I do not have the opportunity to copy the whole input directory as this one is too large compared to the number of models I would like to run.

I found a discussion where the path are changed using this approach :

model = flopy.modflow.Modflow.load('my_namefile.nam', model_ws='my/workspace')
model.change_model_ws('new/workspace')
model.write_name_file()
model.write_input()
model.run_model()

But the method does not seem to be there in mf6 model or simulation object.

If anybody can explain to me where I did something wrong or what is the proper method for that, it will be really appreciated!

Cheers,

Valentin

[jlarsen-usgs]

The easiest way to change the simulation path is by using:

sim  = fp.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_name='daily', exe_name=exe_name, sim_ws=model_load)
sim.set_sim_path("my/new/path")
sim.write_simulation()

Or you can change the name of the model by using

sim  = fp.mf6.MFSimulation.load(sim_name='daily', exe_name=exe_name, sim_ws=model_load)
sim.rename_all_packages("my_new_name")
sim.write_simulation()

[valDallalba]

Thank you for the clear answer.

So I understand that I need to re-write the entire files for the simulation to happen. That was the issue for me since my files are large I had hoped to run a lot of simulations in a parallel manner without having to copy all the entry files of the simulation.

I'm going to ask for more memory space on the cluster and work around ;)

Thank you for your help!