Message 10098
Available since version: 2026.2.0
Description
In 3D z-coordinate models Vertical Mesh Type == Z, the water surface at each active cell must remain above the top fixed z-layer boundary by at least the fixed z-layer depth tolerance. This error occurs when that condition is violated at the cell shown. Note that any surface sigma layers above the top fixed z-layer are not considered by this check.
Suggestions
Check the Layer Face File == to ensure the top fixed z-layer elevation is set below the expected minimum water surface across the domain. If the error occurs during model start up or early in the simulation, check that the initial water surface specification is consistent with the z-layer configuration. If the error occurs later during the simution, check that the water level has not lowered due to water level boundary conditions, wind or atomspheric pressure forcing setdown, or due to evaporation and flow extractions.
The depth tolerance used in this check is the dry depth set via the from Cell Wet/Dry Depths == command.