diff --git a/python/ngen_cal/changelog.md b/python/ngen_cal/changelog.md
index 2b9d4b72..006309c6 100644
--- a/python/ngen_cal/changelog.md
+++ b/python/ngen_cal/changelog.md
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+# V 0.2.1
+- `ngen.cal` `Objective` enum now properly subclasses `str`. This fixes
+  pydantic models' json schemas that use `Objective` as a field type. See #31
+  for impacts.
+- `ngen.cal` calibration strategy types: `NgenExplicit`, `NgenIndependent`, and
+  `NgenUniform`, now have default `strategy` field values.
+
 # V 0.2.0
 - Allow ngen configuration to specify routing output file name to look for.
 - `Evaluatable` objects are now responsible for maintaining the `evaluation_parms` property, including `evaluation_range`
diff --git a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/_version.py b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/_version.py
index 7fd229a3..fc79d63d 100644
--- a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/_version.py
+++ b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/_version.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = '0.2.0'
+__version__ = '0.2.1'
diff --git a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/ngen.py b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/ngen.py
index dc591c34..733216b7 100644
--- a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/ngen.py
+++ b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/ngen.py
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ def update_config(self, i: int, params: 'pd.DataFrame', id: str = None, path=Pat
     
 class NgenExplicit(NgenBase):
     
-    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.explicit]
+    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.explicit] = NgenStrategy.explicit
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         #Let pydantic work its magic
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def update_config(self, i: int, params: 'pd.DataFrame', id: str, **kwargs):
 
 class NgenIndependent(NgenBase):
     # TODO Error if not routing block in ngen_realization
-    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.independent]
+    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.independent] = NgenStrategy.independent
     params: Mapping[str, Parameters] #required in this case...
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ class NgenUniform(NgenBase):
         which is applied to each catchment in the hydrofabric being simulated.
     """
     # TODO Error if not routing block in ngen_realization
-    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.uniform]
+    strategy: Literal[NgenStrategy.uniform] = NgenStrategy.uniform
     params: Mapping[str, Parameters] #required in this case...
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
@@ -455,4 +455,4 @@ def resolve_paths(self, relative_to: Optional[Path]=None):
 
     @property
     def best_params(self):
-        return self.__root__.eval_params.best_params
\ No newline at end of file
+        return self.__root__.eval_params.best_params
diff --git a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/strategy.py b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/strategy.py
index 84253f3e..7a6897c2 100644
--- a/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/strategy.py
+++ b/python/ngen_cal/src/ngen/cal/strategy.py
@@ -62,4 +62,4 @@ class Sensitivity(BaseModel):
         NOT IMPLEMENTED
     """
     type: Literal['sensitivity']
-    pass #Not Implemented
\ No newline at end of file
+    pass #Not Implemented
diff --git a/python/ngen_cal/tests/test_ngen.py b/python/ngen_cal/tests/test_ngen.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad7f826d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ngen_cal/tests/test_ngen.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import pytest
+from ngen.cal.ngen import NgenExplicit, NgenIndependent, NgenUniform, NgenStrategy
+
+
+def test_NgenExplicit_strategy_default_value():
+    # construct object without validation.
+    o = NgenExplicit.construct()
+    assert o.strategy == NgenStrategy.explicit
+
+
+def test_NgenIndependent_strategy_default_value():
+    # construct object without validation.
+    o = NgenIndependent.construct()
+    assert o.strategy == NgenStrategy.independent
+
+def test_NgenUniform_strategy_default_value():
+    # construct object without validation.
+    o = NgenUniform.construct()
+    assert o.strategy == NgenStrategy.uniform
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/changelog.md b/python/ngen_conf/changelog.md
index 948972d7..363ee788 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/changelog.md
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/changelog.md
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+# Version 0.1.9
+- Fixed field discriminator issue in `ngen.config`'s `Formulation` model `params` field. 
+  Note, during `Formulation` object creation if the `params` field is
+  deserialized (e.g. `params`'s value is a dictionary), the `name` field is
+  required. If `name` *is not* 'bmi_multi', the `model_type_name` field is also
+  required. Neither are required if a concrete known formulation instance is
+  provided (see #32).
+
 # Version 0.1.8
 - Fix bug when building MultiBmi's `model_name` field from passed `Formulation`
   objects (fixes #62).
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/_version.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/_version.py
index c3bb2961..1c98a23a 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/_version.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/_version.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = '0.1.8'
+__version__ = '0.1.9'
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/cfe.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/cfe.py
index 13efe1b8..29eea7cc 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/cfe.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/cfe.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Literal
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from .bmi_formulation import BMIC
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class CFE(BMIC):
     main_output_variable: str = 'Q_OUT'
     registration_function: str = "register_bmi_cfe"
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("CFE", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["CFE"] = Field("CFE", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
 
     #can set some default name map entries...will be overridden at construction
     #if a name_map with the same key is passed in, otherwise the name_map
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/formulation.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/formulation.py
index 6b147586..b4a83440 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/formulation.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/formulation.py
@@ -1,15 +1,39 @@
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from pydantic import BaseModel, validator
+from typing import Any, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING, Union
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from typing import Optional
     from pathlib import Path
 
 class Formulation(BaseModel, smart_union=True):
-    """Model of an ngen formulation
+    """
+    Model of an ngen formulation.
+
+    Note, during object creation if the `params` field is deserialized (e.g. `params`'s value is a
+    dictionary), the `name` field is required. If `name` *is not* 'bmi_multi', the `model_type_name`
+    field is also required. Neither are required if a concrete known formulation instance is
+    provided.
     """
     #TODO make this an enum?
     name: str
-    params:  "KnownFormulations" = Field(descriminator="model_name")
+    params:  "KnownFormulations"
+
+    @validator("params", pre=True)
+    def _validate_params(
+        cls, value: Union[Dict[str, Any], "KnownFormulations"]
+    ) -> Union[Dict[str, Any], "KnownFormulations"]:
+        if isinstance(value, BaseModel):
+            return value
+
+        if isinstance(value, dict):
+            name = value.get("name")
+            if name == "bmi_multi":
+                return value
+
+            # non-bmi multi subtypes must specify their `name` and `model_type_name` fields when _deserializing_.
+            # note: this does not apply if a subtype instance is provided
+            if name is None and ("model_type_name" not in value or "model_name" not in value):
+                raise ValueError("'name' and 'model_type_name' fields are required when deserializing _into_ a 'Formulation'.")
+        return value
 
     def resolve_paths(self, relative_to: 'Optional[Path]'=None):
         self.params.resolve_paths(relative_to)
@@ -21,4 +45,4 @@ def resolve_paths(self, relative_to: 'Optional[Path]'=None):
 # So we defer type cheking and importing the KnownFormulations until after
 #MultiBMI is defined, then update_forward_refs()
 from .all_formulations import KnownFormulations
-Formulation.update_forward_refs()
\ No newline at end of file
+Formulation.update_forward_refs()
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/lstm.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/lstm.py
index 270bacd6..c41ffe0a 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/lstm.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/lstm.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ class LSTM(BMIPython):
     python_type: Union[PyObject, str] = "bmi_lstm.bmi_LSTM"
     main_output_variable: Literal["land_surface_water__runoff_depth"] = "land_surface_water__runoff_depth"
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("LSTM", alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["LSTM"] = Field("LSTM", alias="model_type_name")
 
     _variable_names_map =  {
             "atmosphere_water__time_integral_of_precipitation_mass_flux":"RAINRATE"
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/multi.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/multi.py
index 64ac1d70..ee5f5fba 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/multi.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/multi.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from typing import Sequence, Mapping, Any, Optional, TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing_extensions import Literal
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ class MultiBMI(BMIParams, smart_union=True):
     # NOTE this is derived from the list of modules
     main_output_variable: Optional[str]
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: Optional[str] = Field(alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: str = Field(None, alias="model_type_name")
     
     #override const since these shouldn't be used for multi bmi, but are currently
     #required to exist as keys for ngen
@@ -39,8 +40,9 @@ def resolve_paths(self, relative_to: Optional['Path']=None):
     def build_model_name(cls, values: Mapping[str, Any]):
         """Construct the model name, if none provided.
 
-            If no model name is provided, the multiBMI model_type_name
-            is constructed by joining each module's name using `_`
+            If no model name is provided, the multiBMI model_type_name is constructed by joining
+            each module's name using `_`. If no module's are provided, model name is the empty
+            string ''.
 
         Args:
             values (Mapping[str, Any]): Attributes to assgign to the class, including all defaults
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ def build_model_name(cls, values: Mapping[str, Any]):
         Returns:
             Mapping[str, Any]: Attributes to assign to the class, with a (possibly) modifed `model_name`
         """ 
-        name = values.get('model_name')
+        name = values.get('model_name') or values.get('model_type_name')
         modules = values.get('modules')
         if not name and modules:
             names = []
@@ -61,6 +63,8 @@ def build_model_name(cls, values: Mapping[str, Any]):
                     except KeyError:
                         names.append(m['params']['model_type_name'])
             values['model_name'] = '_'.join( names )
+        elif not name:
+            values['model_name'] = ''
         return values
 
     @root_validator(pre=True)
@@ -79,7 +83,14 @@ def pick_main_output(cls, values: Mapping[str, Any]) -> Mapping[str, Any]:
         var = values.get('main_output_variable')
         modules = values.get('modules')
         if not var and modules:
-           values['main_output_variable'] = modules[-1]['params']['main_output_variable']
+            last = modules[-1]
+
+            # cannot treat Formulation type like dictionary
+            from ngen.config.formulation import Formulation
+            if isinstance(last, Formulation):
+                values['main_output_variable'] = last.params.main_output_variable
+            else:
+                values['main_output_variable'] = last['params']['main_output_variable']
         return values
 
 #NOTE To avoid circular import and support recrusive modules
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/noahowp.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/noahowp.py
index aa23494e..d197cb58 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/noahowp.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/noahowp.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from typing import Literal
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from .bmi_formulation import BMIFortran
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ class NoahOWP(BMIFortran):
     model_params: NoahOWPParams = None
     main_output_variable: str = 'QINSUR'
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("NoahOWP", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["NoahOWP"] = Field("NoahOWP", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
 
     _variable_names_map =  {
             "PRCPNONC": "atmosphere_water__liquid_equivalent_precipitation_rate",
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/pet.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/pet.py
index 3e15a099..b9481764 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/pet.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/pet.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class PET(BMIC):
     #should all be reasonable defaults for pET
     main_output_variable: Literal["water_potential_evaporation_flux"] = "water_potential_evaporation_flux"
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("PET", alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["PET"] = Field("PET", alias="model_type_name")
     # source: https://github.com/NOAA-OWP/evapotranspiration/blob/0a66999db9695bccf4c1e35d904aa86f04e6cacf/src/bmi_pet.c#L1215
     registration_function: str = "register_bmi_pet"
 
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/sloth.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/sloth.py
index ccfbb99d..cc9cad1b 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/sloth.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/sloth.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Optional, Mapping
+from typing import Literal, Optional, Mapping
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from .bmi_formulation import BMICxx
@@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ class SLOTH(BMICxx):
     model_params: Optional[Mapping[str, str]] #Is this a better represntation of SLOTH params??? just generic mappings?
     registration_function: str = "none" #FIXME this isn't required for CXX bmi in ngen?
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("SLOTH", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["SLOTH"] = Field("SLOTH", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/topmod.py b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/topmod.py
index 0266e505..614dfe57 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/topmod.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/src/ngen/config/topmod.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Literal
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from .bmi_formulation import BMIC
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class Topmod(BMIC):
     main_output_variable: str = 'Qout'
     registration_function: str = "register_bmi_topmodel"
     #NOTE aliases don't propagate to subclasses, so we have to repeat the alias
-    model_name: str = Field("TOPMODEL", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
+    model_name: Literal["TOPMODEL"] = Field("TOPMODEL", const=True, alias="model_type_name")
 
     #can set some default name map entries...will be overridden at construction
     #if a name_map with the same key is passed in, otherwise the name_map
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/tests/conftest.py b/python/ngen_conf/tests/conftest.py
index 16e40539..249882ff 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/tests/conftest.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 from ngen.config.cfe import CFE
 from ngen.config.sloth import SLOTH
 from ngen.config.noahowp import NoahOWP
+from ngen.config.topmod import Topmod
+from ngen.config.lstm import LSTM
 from ngen.config.multi import MultiBMI
 
 #set the workdir relative to this test config
@@ -42,7 +44,10 @@ def routing():
 @pytest.fixture
 def cfe_params():
     path = _workdir.joinpath("data/CFE/")
-    data = {'config_prefix':path, 
+    data = {
+            'model_type_name': 'CFE',
+            'name': 'bmi_c',
+            'config_prefix':path,
             # 'config': "{{id}}_config.txt", 
             'config': "config.txt", 
             'library_prefix':path,
@@ -53,7 +58,10 @@ def cfe_params():
 @pytest.fixture
 def sloth_params():
     path = _workdir.joinpath("data/sloth/")
-    data = {'config_prefix':path, 
+    data = {
+            'model_type_name': 'SLOTH',
+            'name': 'bmi_c++',
+            'config_prefix':path,
             # 'config': "{{id}}_config.txt", 
             'config': "config.txt", 
             'library_prefix':path,
@@ -64,7 +72,10 @@ def sloth_params():
 @pytest.fixture
 def topmod_params():
     path = _workdir.joinpath("data/CFE/")
-    data = {'config_prefix':path, 
+    data = {
+            'model_type_name': 'TOPMODEL',
+            'name': 'bmi_c',
+            'config_prefix':path,
             # 'config': "{{id}}_config.txt", 
             'config': "config.txt", 
             'library_prefix':path,
@@ -76,13 +87,26 @@ def topmod_params():
 def noahowp_params():
     path = _workdir.joinpath("data/NOAH/")
     libpath = _workdir.joinpath("data/CFE")
-    data = {'config_prefix':path, 
+    data = {
+            'model_type_name': 'NoahOWP',
+            'name': 'bmi_fortran',
+            'config_prefix':path,
             'config': "{{id}}.input", 
             'library_prefix': libpath,
             'library': 'libfakecfe.so'
             }
     return data   
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def lstm_params():
+    path = _workdir.joinpath("data/CFE/")
+    data = {
+            'model_type_name': 'LSTM',
+            'name': 'bmi_python',
+            'config_prefix':path,
+            'config': "{{id}}_config.txt"}
+    return data
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def cfe(cfe_params):
     return CFE(**cfe_params)
@@ -91,29 +115,33 @@ def cfe(cfe_params):
 def sloth(sloth_params):
     return SLOTH(**sloth_params)
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def topmod(topmod_params):
+    return Topmod(**topmod_params)
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def noahowp(noahowp_params):
     return NoahOWP(**noahowp_params)
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def multi(cfe, noahowp, forcing):
+def lstm(lstm_params):
+    return LSTM(**lstm_params)
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def multi(cfe, noahowp):
     cfe.allow_exceed_end_time=True
     noahowp.allow_exceed_end_time=True
     f1 = Formulation(name=noahowp.name, params=noahowp)
     f2 = Formulation(name=cfe.name, params=cfe)
-    return MultiBMI(modules=[f1.dict(), f2.dict()], allow_exceed_end_time=True)
+    return MultiBMI(modules=[f1, f2], allow_exceed_end_time=True)
 
-@pytest.fixture
-def lstm_params():
-    path = _workdir.joinpath("data/CFE/")
-    data = {'config_prefix':path, 
-            'config': "{{id}}_config.txt"}
-    return data
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def multi_params(cfe, noahowp):
-    data = {"modules":[Formulation(name=noahowp.name, params=noahowp).dict(), 
-                       Formulation(name=cfe.name, params=cfe).dict()]
+    data = {
+        "name": "bmi_multi",
+        "modules":[Formulation(name=noahowp.name, params=noahowp).dict(by_alias=True),
+                       Formulation(name=cfe.name, params=cfe).dict(by_alias=True)]
             }
     return data
 
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/tests/data/test_config.json b/python/ngen_conf/tests/data/test_config.json
index 8d7555e4..87f55bcb 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/tests/data/test_config.json
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/tests/data/test_config.json
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
                 "name": "bmi_multi", 
                 "params": {
                     "name": "bmi_multi", 
-                    "model_type_name": "NoahOWP_CFE", 
+                    "model_type_name": "NoahOWP_CFE",
                     "main_output_variable": "Q_OUT", 
                     "init_config": "", 
                     "allow_exceed_end_time": false, 
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_formulation.py b/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_formulation.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..89a39e6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_formulation.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import pytest
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+from typing import Type
+from ngen.config.formulation import Formulation
+
+from ngen.config.cfe import CFE
+from ngen.config.sloth import SLOTH
+from ngen.config.topmod import Topmod
+from ngen.config.noahowp import NoahOWP
+from ngen.config.lstm import LSTM
+from ngen.config.multi import MultiBMI
+
+fixture_expected_type = (
+    ("cfe_params", CFE),
+    ("sloth_params", SLOTH),
+    ("topmod_params", Topmod),
+    ("noahowp_params", NoahOWP),
+    ("lstm_params", LSTM),
+    ("multi_params", MultiBMI),
+)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("fixture_name, expected_type", fixture_expected_type)
+def test_correct_forumulation_subtype_is_deserialized(
+    fixture_name: str, expected_type: Type[BaseModel], request: pytest.FixtureRequest
+):
+    params = request.getfixturevalue(fixture_name)
+    input_data = {"name": "test_formulation", "params": params}
+
+    m = Formulation(**input_data)
+    assert isinstance(
+        m.params, expected_type
+    ), f"expected: {expected_type.__name__!r}, got {type(m.params).__name__!r}"
+
+
+initialized_fixture_expected_type = (
+    ("cfe", CFE),
+    ("sloth", SLOTH),
+    ("topmod", Topmod),
+    ("noahowp", NoahOWP),
+    ("lstm", LSTM),
+    ("multi", MultiBMI),
+)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("fixture_name, expected_type", initialized_fixture_expected_type)
+def test_correct_forumulation_subtype_is_initialized(
+    fixture_name: str, expected_type: Type[BaseModel], request: pytest.FixtureRequest
+):
+    params = request.getfixturevalue(fixture_name)
+    input_data = {"name": "test_formulation", "params": params}
+
+    m = Formulation(**input_data)
+
+    assert isinstance(
+        m.params, expected_type
+    ), f"expected: {expected_type.__name__!r}, got {type(m.params).__name__!r}"
diff --git a/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_multi.py b/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_multi.py
index 0d179942..8938443e 100644
--- a/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_multi.py
+++ b/python/ngen_conf/tests/test_multi.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ def test_name_map(multi_params):
     assert _t == 'land_surface_wind__x_component_of_velocity'
 
 def test_name_map_override(multi_params):
-    multi_params['modules'][-1]['params']['name_map'].update( {"atmosphere_water__liquid_equivalent_precipitation_rate":"RAINRATE"} )
-    multi_params['modules'][0]['params']['name_map'].update( {"UU":"WIND_U"} )
+    multi_params['modules'][-1]["params"]["variables_names_map"].update( {"atmosphere_water__liquid_equivalent_precipitation_rate":"RAINRATE"} )
+    multi_params['modules'][0]["params"]["variables_names_map"].update( {"UU":"WIND_U"} )
     multi = MultiBMI(**multi_params)
     _t = multi.modules[-1].params.name_map["atmosphere_water__liquid_equivalent_precipitation_rate"]
     assert _t == "RAINRATE"
@@ -30,4 +30,3 @@ def test_multi_formulation(multi_params):
     multi_formulation = Formulation( name=multi.name, params=multi )
     _multi = multi_formulation.params
     assert _multi.name == 'bmi_multi'
-    assert _multi.model_name == 'NoahOWP_CFE'