diff --git a/rvic/core/history.py b/rvic/core/history.py
index df11bec..4037c0f 100644
--- a/rvic/core/history.py
+++ b/rvic/core/history.py
@@ -90,8 +90,9 @@ def __init__(self, time_ord, caseid, rvar, tape_num=0,
         # ------------------------------------------------------------ #
         # Get Grid Lons/Lats if outtype is grid
         if outtype.lower() == 'grid':
+            check_types = (np.ndarray,np.ma.MaskedArray)
             self._out_data_shape = self._grid_shape
-            if type(grid_lons) == np.ndarray and type(grid_lats) == np.ndarray:
+            if isinstance(grid_lons,check_types) and isinstance(grid_lats,check_types):
                 self._grid_lons = grid_lons
                 self._grid_lats = grid_lats
             else:
@@ -669,7 +670,7 @@ def __write_array(self):
         outlet_x_ind[:] = self._outlet_x_ind
         outlet_y_ind[:] = self._outlet_y_ind
         outlet_decomp_ind[:] = self._outlet_decomp_ind
-        onm[:, :] = char_names
+        onm[:, :] = np.squeeze(char_names)
 
         for key, val in iteritems(share.outlet_lon):
             if val:
diff --git a/rvic/core/plots.py b/rvic/core/plots.py
index 902f66a..83d4e47 100644
--- a/rvic/core/plots.py
+++ b/rvic/core/plots.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from .log import LOG_NAME
 import numpy as np
 from datetime import date
+import copy
 try:
     import matplotlib
     matplotlib.use('Agg')
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ def _fractions_grid(data, dom_x, dom_y, title, case_id, plot_dir):
     mask = data <= 0.0
     data = np.ma.array(data, mask=mask)
 
-    cmap = matplotlib.cm.cool
+    cmap = copy.copy(matplotlib.cm.cool)
     cmap.set_bad(color='w')
 
     fig = plt.figure()
diff --git a/rvic/core/utilities.py b/rvic/core/utilities.py
index 66dbd1b..37c3f57 100644
--- a/rvic/core/utilities.py
+++ b/rvic/core/utilities.py
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ def latlon2yx(plats, plons, glats, glons):
 
     # use astronomical conventions for longitude
     # (i.e. negative longitudes to the east of 0)
-    if (glons.max() > 180):
+    if (np.max(glons) > 180):
         posinds = np.nonzero(glons > 180)
         glons[posinds] -= 360
         log.info('adjusted grid lon to astronomical conventions')
-    if (plons.max() > 180):
+    if (np.max(plons) > 180):
         posinds = np.nonzero(plons > 180)
         plons[posinds] -= 360
         log.info('adjusted point lon to astronomical conventions')
diff --git a/rvic/parameters.py b/rvic/parameters.py
index e98c7aa..9ec5c77 100644
--- a/rvic/parameters.py
+++ b/rvic/parameters.py
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ def gen_uh_init(config):
         if 'names' in pour_points:
             pour_points.fillna(inplace=True, value='unknown')
             for i, name in enumerate(pour_points.names):
-                pour_points.ix[i, 'names'] = strip_invalid_char(name)
+                pour_points.loc[pour_points['names']==name, 'names'] = strip_invalid_char(name)
 
         pour_points.drop_duplicates(inplace=True)
         pour_points.dropna()
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index d1fb387..7067c89 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def write_version_py(filename=None):
                    'Topic :: Scientific/Engineering'],
       install_requires=['scipy >= 0.13', 'numpy >= 1.8',
                         'netCDF4 >= 1.0.6', 'matplotlib >= 1.3.1',
-                        'pandas >= 0.15.1'],
+                        'pandas>=1.0,<1.2'],
       tests_require=['pytest >= 2.5.2'],
       url='https://github.com/UW-Hydro/RVIC',
       packages=['rvic', 'rvic.core'],