RUNNING, TESTING, AND UNDERSTANDING

THE HYDROLOGICAL SIMULATION PROGRAM - FORTRAN (HSPF)

Menghua Wang, J. Obiukwu Duru, and Allen T. Hjelmfelt, Jr.

ABSTRACT
This report consists of an introduction to the Hydrological Simulation ProgramFORTRAN (HSPF) and two other related programs: HSPEXP and ANNIE. HSPF is a
comprehensive, conceptual, continuous watershed model designed for simulation of
watershed hydrology and water quality; HSPEXP is an expert system for calibration of
HSPF; and ANNIE uses a binary, direct - access file called a Watershed Data
Management (WDM) file to store and manipulate the input/output data for HSPF. The
relations among the three programs and how they work together for a complete watershed
simulation are explained in this report. By using the sample data sets provided, these
programs were tested to verify that the programs were correctly installed and to examine
how they work. General descriptions of the input data structures for these programs,
model parameter evaluation, and the storage processes for runoff simulation are given.
For a lucid clarification, a real working example for simulation of runoff from a research
field in Goodwater Creek Watershed, located in central Missouri, is used to explain how
to prepare data for these programs, to estimate model parameters, to run these programs
and calibrate HSPF, and to explore simulation results. The possible problems for using
HSPF to simulate the Goodwater Creek watershed which has a thin soil layer underlain
by a claypan are also explained.

HSPF, HSPEXP, and ANNIE all run in DOS environment. To prepare input data
and explore simulation results are time-consuming. The BASINS (Better Assessment
Science Integrating Point and Nopoint Sources) model makes watershed and water
quality studies easier by bringing key data and assessment models together "under one
roof'. One component of BASINS, NPSM, combines a windows-based interface with
HSPF model, and is linked to ArcView. This can make HSPF more easily be used. In
the report, however, this aspect is not elaborated on.
The watershed analysis system with the core of HSPF can be used to make a
broad-based evaluation of a watershed's hydrologic balance and chemical loading for
watershed planning.

RUNNING, TESTING, AND UNDERSTANDING

THE HYDROLOGICAL SIMULATION PROGRAM - FORTRAN (HSPF)

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
The hydrological Simulation Program - FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive
model of watershed hydrology and water quality that allows the integrated simulation of
land and soil contaminant runoff processes with stream hydraulic, water temperature,
sediment transport, nutrient, and sediment-chemical interactions. For simulation with
HSPF, the basin has to be represented in terms of land segments and reaches. A segment
of land that has the capacity to allow enough infiltration to influence the water budget is
considered pervious. Otherwise, it is considered impervious. A reach indicates a stream,
a channel, or a completely mixed lake/reservoir. The HSPF has three modules:
PERLND, IMPLND, and RCHRES for simulations of pervious lands, impervious lands,
and free-flow reaches/mixed reservoirs, respectively. The operation functions for each
module are described in PART E: FUNCTION DESCRIPTION in HSPF User's Manual
(Bicknell et al., 1996).
In pervious land simulation, HSPF models the movement of water along three
paths: overland flow, interflow, and groundwater flow, each of which is an outflow from
a surface storage, an interflow storage, and a groundwater storage, respectively. In
addition to the three storage zones, two others, upper zone and lower zone, are also used.
These storage zones are utilized to represent the storage processes that occur on the land

surface and in the soil horizon. Figure 1 depicts these zones. The storage depiction is
modified from Fig. 2.2 in ARM User's Manual (Donigian et al., 1978). The upper zone
is designed to simulate the diversion of overland flows into depression storage, soil
fissures, and disturbed or dry surface soil (Crawford and Linsley, 1966). The lower zone
is the root zone.

SURFACE FLOW

INTERFLOW

Fig. 1 Model soil layers in HSPF

In impervious land segments where there is no infiltration, overland flow,

evaporation, and water quality constituent movement are simulated. Reaches are used to
simulate the hydraulic and water quality processes that occur in the river channel network
or completely mixed lakes/reservoirs. Runoff routing in a reach is done using a modified
version of the kinematic wave equation.

For modeling purposes, water, sediment, and water quality constituents leaving
one segment or reach move laterally to a downslope segment or to a reach. In Fig. 2, the
watershed consists of two pervious lands, one impervious land, and one reach. Water,
soils, and pollutants from PERLND 1 and IMPLND 1 flow into RCHRES 1. The total
outflow of materials from the watershed is the sum of outflows from PERLND 2 and
RCHRES 1.

Fig. 2. A watershed with two pervious lands, one impervious

land, and one reach.

The HSPF needs at least two input files: a Watershed Data Management (WDM)
file and a User's Control Input (UCI) file. The WDM file is a binary, direct-access file
that is used to store watershed characteristic data and time-series data, such as

precipitation and runoff, in data sets. A WDM file can contain several data sets
belonging to different watersheds. The relations among the WDM file, data sets, and
detailed data (watershed characteristic data and time-series data) are shown in Fig. 3.

File

Data Sets

Detail Data

Watershed characteristic data, such as drainage area

Time-series data, such as precipitation records

Fig. 3. The relations among a WDM file, Data sets, and detail data

The WDM file provides the user with a common data base, thus eliminating the need to
reformat data from one application to another. The UCI file contains HSPF model
parameters and function flags that control how the HSPF performs.
ANNIE is a program for management of a Watershed Data Management (WDM)
file, which is required as an input file for HSPF. The ANNIE program mainly has the
following functions:

Create a WDM file

Import data into a WDM file

Interactively update a WDM file

Retrieve and plot data from a WDM file

 Export data from a WDM file.

The Expert System for Calibration of HSPF (HSPEXP) allows the user to
interactively edit model parameters in UCI file, run HSPF, plot HSPF outputs, compute
error statistics for a simulation, and provide the user with expert advice on which
parameters should be changed up or down to improve the calibration. The expert system
uses over 35 rules involving over 80 conditions to recommended parameters. The rules
are based on the experience of experts in the use of HSPF. The relations among HSPF,
ANNIE, HSPEXP, and two data files of WDM and UCI are shown in Fig. 3. The HSPF
takes input data from the two files of WDM and UCI and can run independently or
through HSPEXP. The outputs from HSPF can be written into the WDM file or ASCII
files.

HSPEXP

Fig. 3 The relations among HSPF, ANNIE, HSPEXP, and two data
files of WDM and UCI.

PROGRAM TESTING
Program testing is used to verify that programs are correctly installed and to
examine how these programs work. Each of the three programs: ANNIE, HSPF, and
HSPEXP provides several tests which are described in the program README files. The
summaries of those tests are given in the following.
1. TESTS FOR ANNIE
There are three general tests and six graphic tests for ANNIE. The general tests
show how to create a WDM file, to import data into the WDM file, to generate new data
sets using existing data, and to export data from the WDM file. The graphic tests are

used to show the capability of ANNIE for plotting time-series data. For understanding
those tests, TEST 1 is examined in details.
TEST 1 was designed to create a WDM file and import watershed characteristic
data and time-series data into the WDM file. There are three input files TEST1.LOG,
CANE.EXP, and ILEXP, and one output file TEST.WDM. The file TESTI .LOG
contains a sequence of keystrokes, each of which represents a command. Keystrokes of
non-printing keys, such as the backspace and function keys, are represented by special
codes. Each code has a # with three digits and its definition is listed in Table B.4 in
ANNIE User's Manual (Flynn et al., 1995). The contents of TESTI .LOG is listed and
explained in Table 1. The files CANE.EXP and 1L.EXP contain data for updating the file
TEST.WDM. To examine the data structure of the two EXP files, parts of CANE.EXP
are listed in Table2.

Table 1. Description of TESTI .LOG

Line
1

Explanation

Contents
fbtest.wdm

This line represents three commands: 1) In the Opening screen menu of

ANNIE, press "f" key for File option; 2) in the File (F) screen, press "b"
key for Build option to build a new WDM file; and 3) in the Build (B)
screen, type "test.wdm" as the name of the new WDM file. The
keystrokes from the three commands form the content of fbtest.wchn in
the first line.

#402

Accept, function F2, is executed. This causes the screen back to File (F).

rai..\data\cane.exp

This line represents four commands: 1) Return from the File (F) screen;
2) select Archive option in the Opening screen; 3) select Import option in
the Archive (A) screen; and 4) in the Import (I) screen, type
"..\data\cane.exp" for importing data into the file test.wdm.

#402

F2 function key.

#402

F2 function key.

#402

F2 function key.

i..\data\il.exp

1) In Archive screen, select Import(I) option; and 2) in the Import(I)

screen, type "..\data\il.exp" for importing the data in il.exp into test.wdm.

#402

F2 function key.

#402

F2 function key.

10

#402

F2 function key.

11

rfs

1) Return from the Archive (A) screen; 2) select File option in the
opening screen: and 3) in the File(F) screen, select Summarize option for
summarizing the contents of test.wdm.

12

#402

F2 function key.

13

rr

1) Return from the File (F) screen; and 2) select Return option in the
Opening screen.

10

Table 2. Partial listing of input file CANE.EXP.

1s4).

Contents

DATE
WDMSFL
SYSTEM
COMMENT
Cane Branch, KY daily: precip, disch, evap, min/max temp
unit: precip, disch
,
.
END COMMENT
NDP 150
SP 70
NSA 35
1
NUP 1
NDN
5 TYPE TIME
DSN
LABEL
45
PARMCD
6
STATCD
1956
TSBYR
1
TSSTEP
4
TCODE
6
TGROUP
1
TSFORM
1
COMPFG
1
VBTIME
0.67
DAREA
TSFILL-9.9999E+4
365205084265702
STAID
TSTYPE PREC
STANAM Cane Branch, KYprecipitation
END LABEL
STARTS: 1956 1 1 0 0 0 ENDS: 1957 12 31 24 0 0
DATA
0.0000
46 1
4 1 0
1955 12 31 24 0 0
2.710
0.2700
4 0
4 1 0
1956 2 15 24 0 0
0.5800
0.5700
0.0000
4 1
4 1 0
1956 2 19 24 0 0
0.0000
4 1
4 1 0
1957 9 23 24 0 0

2
3
4
5
6

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

16
17
18
19

20
21

22
23
24

1957 9 27 24
0.3700
1957 9 29 24
END DATA
END DSN

0.2100

93

0.0000

11

The file CANE.EXP contains 7 data sets numbered from 5 to 11 for daily data of
precipitation, discharge, evaporation, minimum and maximum temperatures, as well as
the precipitation and discharge in 30 minutes time intervals. Table 2 lists the heads of an
EXP file and parts of data set (DSN) 5. Data-set attributes used in the archive file,
CANE.EXP, can be found in APPENDIX A in the ANNIE User's Manual (Flynn et al.,
1995). The data structures of CANE.EXP are explained as the following.
In Table 2, lines 1-6 list the heads of CANE.EXP. Data sets begin from line 7.
Line 7 indicates that the data set number (DSN) is 5 and the data set type (TYPE) is timeseries (TIME). The time-series type (TSTYPE) is given as precipitation (PREC) in line
19. The precipitation station ID (STAID) and name (STANAM) are listed in lines 18 and
20, respectively. The number 4 for TCODE in line 13 indicates that this is daily data and
the value of 1 for COMPFG in line 15 means the data can be in compressed format. The
recorded precipitation data in line 23 is in compressed format and the data in line 24 is in
uncompressed format, which are indicated by 1 and 0 in column 11, 1 for compression
and 0 for uncompression. When data is in compressed format, one value can be used to
represent several individual data. In line 23, the value of 0.000, which is given in the 12 th
column, is used to represent 46 individual data (Jan. 1 - Feb. 15, 1956), where the number
46 is given in the tenth column. When data is in uncompressed format, the values of each
data must be given individually. In line 24, the data values are given as 0.2700, 2.710,
0.5700, and 0.5800 for 4 individual data (Feb. 16 - 19). In addition, the number 4 in
column 7 of lines 23 and 24 needs to be explained. This number must match the value of
TCODE, which indicates time interval. That is 4 for data set 5.

12

The file IL.EXP contains 31 data sets numbered from 16 to 46. The data sets
contained in ILEXP, however, do not have detailed time-series data. After the data in the
files CANE.EXP and IL.EXP are imported into the file TEST.WDM; the WDM file
contains 38 data sets.
TEST 1 can be automatically run following the instructions given in the
README file of ANNIE. It is helpful, however, to run this test step by step based on the
keystroke descriptions for the file TEST 1 .LOG, which is listed in Table 1, for better
understanding this test.

2. TESTS FOR HSPF

There are 13 test runs for HSPF. The first run is to use ANNIE to create two new
WDM files named TEST.WDM and TEST2.WDM, and to use the data contained in the
files TESTALEXP and TESTA2.EXP to update the two WDM files, respectively. The
HSPF can be used to retrieve and import data for a WDM file. It cannot, however, be
used to create a new WDM file that must be created using ANNIE or other programs.
Tests 2 to 4 were designed for using HSPF to update the file TESTMDM and
export data from the WDM file. Tests 5 to 13 are used to test various features of HSPF
for simulations of snow melt, runoff, sediment, pesticides, and nutrients. The detailed
descriptions for each test are given in the README file of HSPF.
To run HSPF, at least two input files, a WDM file and a user control input (UCI)
file, are needed. WDM files contain watershed characteristic data and time-series data,
and UCI files contains HSPF model parameters and function control data. The data

13

formats in UCI files are described in PART F: FORMAT FOR THE USER'S CONTROL
INPUT in HSPF User's Manual (Bicknell et al., 1996).
A UCI file is the core-input file for running HSPF. The data in this file controls
how HSPF functions, how different segments link together, and how simulation results
are presented. The HSPF model parameters are also contained in this file. To
understand UCI files, the data structure of the UCI file for TEST 9, which is listed in
APPENDIX I, is explained.
This test was designed to simulate snow and runoff for one year in 1976. This is
indicated in GLOBAL block. The test has one pervious land (PERLND) named
PERLND 1 and four reaches (RCHRES) named RCHRES 1 to 4, respectively, in OPN
SEQUENCE block. The following is the OPN SEQUENCE block in TEST 9.
OPN SEQUENCE
INGRP
PEELED
RCHRES
RCHRES
RCHRES
RCHRES
DISPLY
DISPLY
DISPLY
PLTGEN
END INGRP
END OPN SEQUENCE

INDELT 01:00
1
1

2
3
4
1
2
3
1

The linkages among the pervious land and the four reaches are described in
NETWORK block. The data in the NETWORK block in TEST 9 is shown in the
following:

14

NETWORK
<-Volume-> <-Grp>
#
<Name>
1 PWATER
PERLND
1 HYDR
RCHRES
RCHRES
1 HYDR
1 HYDR
RCHRES
RCHRES
1 HYDR
1 HYDR
RCHRES
1 HYDR
RCHRES
RCHRES
2 HYDR
3 HYDR
RCHRES
RCHRES
4 HYDR
4 HYDR
RCHRES
END NETWORK

<-Member-><--Mult -- >Tran
<Name> # #<-factor->strg
500.
PERO
1.
1
OVOL
12.1
1
OVOL
12.1
1
OVOL
1.
2
OVOL
12.1
OVOL
2
12.1
OVOL
2
1.
ROVOL
1.
ROVOL
12.1
ROVOL
12.1
ROVOL

<-Target
<Name>
RCHRES
RCHRES
DISPLY
PLTGEN
RCHRES
DISPLY
PLTGEN
RCHRES
RCHRES
DISPLY
PLTGEN

vols>
#
#
1
2
1
1
3
2
1
4
4
3
1

<-Grp> <-Member->
<Name> # #
EXTNL IVOL
EXTNL IVOL
INPUT TIMSER
2
INPUT MEAN
EXTNL IVOL
INPUT TIMSER
1
INPUT MEAN
EXTNL IVOL
EXTNL IVOL
INPUT TIMSER
3
INPUT MEAN

***
***

PERLND 1 has a drainage area of 500 acres, which is indicated in the column
labeled as <-factor->. RECHES 1 takes the total outflow from PERLND 1 (PERO) times
500 as its external inflow (IVOL). The outflow from RECHES 1 (OVOL) is diverged
into RECHES 2 and 3 as their inflows (IVOL). Finally the total outflows from RECHES
2 and 3 (ROVOL) merge as the inflow to RECHES 4. Based on the linkages, a possible
drainage network is shown in Fig. 4. The variables used in the NETWORK block, such
as PERO, OVOL, WOL, and ROVOL, can be found in Time Series Catalog section of
PART F in HSPF User's Manual (Bicknell et al., 1996). The other information in
NETWORK block is for displaying and plotting simulation results from the pervious land
and the reaches using DISPLAY and PLTGEN modules. The DISPLY module
summarizes a time series and presents the results in neatly formatted tables and the
PLTGEN module prepares one or more time series for plotting. Instead of NETWORK
block, another way for describing segment linkages is to use SCHEMATIC and MASSLINK blocks.

15

PERLND

RECHES 1

RECHES 2

RECHES 3

RECHES 4

Fig. 4 The possible drainage links for TEST 9

There are three DISPLYs and one PLTGEN, which are named as DISPLY 1 to 3
and PLTGEN 1 in OPN SEQUENCE block. The NETWORK block indicates that the
simulation results from reaches will go to the DISPLAYs and the PLTGEN. These data
are written using FORTRAN I/O unit numbers 65 and 93, respectively. This is indicated
in the following DISPLY and PLTGEN blocks.

16

DISPLY
DISPLY-INFO1
*** # _ #
Title
OUTLET INFLOW (CFS)
1
SPILLWAY INFLOW (CFS)
2
KITTLE CREEK FLOW (CFS)
3
END DISPLY-INFO1
END DISPLY

> TRAN PIVL DIG1 FIL1 PYR DIG2 FIL2 YRND

12
2
65
1
AVER
12
2
65
1
AVER
12
1
2
65
AVER

PLTGEN
PLOTINFO
# - # FILE NPT NMN LABL PYR PIVL ***
3
24
1
93
END PLOTINFO

where the I10 unit numbers 65 and 93 are marked using red color. The files
corresponding to the I/O unit numbers 65 and 93 are defmed as TEST09.D65 and
TEST09.P93 in FILES block. The following gives the FILES block in TEST 9.
FILES
<FILE> <UN#>***<----FILE NAME
WDM
21
test.wdm
MESSU
22
test09.ech
01
test09.ott
test09.d65
65
93
test09.p93
END FILES

In the FILES block, the file TEST.WDM is an input file that contains the watershed
characteristic data and time-series data. The I/O unit number for this file is 21. The
FORTRAN I10 unit numbers 22 and 01 correspond to the files TEST09.ECH, which is
used for storing the HSPF operation message data, and TEST09.0UT, respectively. The
printer unit number of 1 in the GEN-lNFO sections of PERLND and RECHES blocks
indicates that the file TEST09.0UT is for storing the general output summary. The GENINFO sections of PERLND and RECHES blocks are listed here.
PERLND
GEM- INFO
<PLS ><
# - #

Name

1
BICKNELL FARM
END GEM-INFO

>

Unit-systems Printer ***

t-series Engl Metr ***
***
in out
1
1
0
1

and
RCHRES

17

GEN- INFO
RCHRES<
# - #

Name

1
MEIER POND
2
OUTLET
SPILLWAY
3
4
KITTLE CREEK
END GEN-INFO

>Nexit Unit Systems Printer

t-series Engl Metr LKFG
in out
1
1
1
0
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1

where the printer I10 unit number 1 is marked using red color.
The definition of each individual model parameter in UCI files is not described
in this report. All model parameter defmitions can be found in PART F: FORMAT FOR
THE USER'S CONTROL INPUT in HSPF User's Manual (Bicknell et al., 1996). The
parameter evaluations for runoff simulation are discussed in the section of RUNOFF
SIMULATION and in details through a working example.

3. TESTS FOR HSPEXP

There are two test runs for HSPEXP. The first test is for daily simulation and the
second is for hourly simulation. The two tests were designed to show how to
interactively modify model parameters based on the expert rules provided by HSPEXP, to
run HSPF simulations, and to statistically analyze and present results. The simulation
results can be saved into a file, displayed on the screen, and plotted.
Each HSPEXP test has a keystroke file. They are TEST1.LOG and TEST2.LOG,
respectively. The keystroke files for HSPEXP are similar to the keystroke files for
ANNIE. So the files TEST1.LOG and TEST2.LOG are not further explained here.
In addition to the UCI file and the WDM file required by HSPF, HSPEXP needs
another file with EXS as its extension. They are TEST1.EXS and TEST2.EXS for the

18

two HSPEXP tests. The EXS files contain the information about storm events. These
two files can be created using HSPEXP.
Following the instructions described in the README file of HSPEXP, the two
HSPEXP tests can be run using their LOG files. To understand these tests, however, it is
better to run them step by step following the keystrokes contained in their LOG files.

RUNOFF SIMULATION
Simulation of runoff using HSPF will be described in details in this section. .
Pervious land simulation will be emphasized. HSPF uses six storages to simulate water
budgets. They are interception, surface zone, upper zone, interflow zone, lower zone,
and groundwater zone. The last five zones are displayed in Fig. 1.
All incoming precipitation enters interception storage until a pre-assigned
interception storage capacity (CEPSC) is filled. Available moisture that is not infiltrated
directly will increase surface detention storage. The increment to surface detention will
either contribute to overland flow and interflow or enter upper zone storage. Depression
storage and the storage in highly permeable surface soils are modeled by the upper zone.
Hence, the upper zone inflow rates are independent of rainfall intensity but upper zone
storage capacity is low. Moisture is lost from the upper zone by evaporation and
percolation to the lower zone and groundwater storage (Crawford and Linsley, 1966).
The baseflow is from groundwater storage. Lower zone is the root zone and the moisture
loss from this zone is through evapotranspiration. The functions for simulations of these
storage behaviors are described in PART F: FUNCTION DESCRIPTION in HSPF User's

19

Manual (Bicknell et al., 1996). Understanding how HSPF works is helpful for estimating
model parameters.
HSPF has several model parameters for runoff simulation. These parameters are
defined in PART F: FORMAT FOR THE USER'S CONTROL INPUT in HSPF User's
Manual (Bickenll et al., 1996). How to evaluate these model parameters can be found in
SECTION 5: MODEL PARAMETERS AND PARAMETER EVALUATION in ARM
User's Manual (Donigian et al., 1978 ) and in CHAPTER V: OPERATION OF THE
MODEL in Stanford Watershed Model User's Manual (Crawford and Linsley, 1966).
Both of these manuals contain evaluation guidelines on a parameter-by-parameter basis.
The guidelines for hydrologic calibration can also be found in the two user's manuals and
in Application Guide for HSPF (Donigian et al., 1984). The two models, ARM and
Stanford Watershed Model, and NPS (Donigian et al., 1984) are predecessors of HSPF.
Many of their model parameters are shared in common. To expedite the use of the
valuable information contained in predecessor user's manuals, Donigian et al (1984) gave
an equivalency table for selected HSPF and ARM/NSP model parameter names in
APPENDIX C in Application Guide for HSPF.
Among these model parameters for runoff simulation, some of them may cause
confusion for understanding or problems in evaluation. These parameters are explained
here.
UZS and LZS are the current soil moisture storage in the upper zone and in the
lower zone, respectively. UZSN and LZSN are nominal storage levels that are
approximately equal to the median values of the corresponding storage for upper zone
and lower zone. An approximate mapping of LZSN values for the United States is given

20

in ARM User's Manual (Donigian et al, 1978, pp. 56). This map indicates the value of
7.0 in. for Missouri. The nominal storage in the upper zone (UZSN) is generally related
to LZSN and watershed topography. The value of UZSN relative to LZSN is defined as a
function of watershed topography and cover. An estimate of UZSN relative to LZSN can
be found in ARM User's Manual (Donigian et al., 1978, pp.55) and in Stanford
Watershed Model User's Manual (Crawford and Linsley, 1966, pp.75). Another major
model parameter for water budget simulation is INFILT, an index to the mean infiltration
rate on the watershed. The values of INFILT and LZS/LZNS greatly affect infiltration.
The guideline for INFILT evaluation can be found in ARM User's Manual (Donigian et
al., 1978, pp.61).
Logically, upper zone storage (depression), lower zone storage, and the rate of
infiltration all interact. So the parameters UZSN, LZSN, and INFILT cannot be
independent (Crawford and Linselt, 1966). The fmal values of these three parameters
must be determined through model calibration.

A WORKING EXAMPLE FOR RUNOFF SIMULATION

To examine the ability of HSPF for runoff simulation, a real working example
was developed. The input files for the working example are listed in the attached
appendixes and explained in this report. The simulation results from HSPF are also listed
and explained.

21

1. Site Description
HSPF was used to simulate one year (1995) of runoff from a research field in
Goodwater Creek watershed. The watershed is located in central Missouri and
established as a research experiment by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service in 1971. The watershed has a level to gently slopping surface underlain
by a layer of loess. This layer of loess contains a claypan located about 30 cm below the
surface. The claypan is often treated as impermeable.
The research field is used for extensive water quality studies. The field has a
drainage area of 36 ha and the major crop in this field is corn. The drainage boundary and
network of the field is displayed in Fig. 5

22

Fig. 5 The drainage boundary and network of the study field.

23

2. Data Preparation
There is no obvious stream flow in the study field. To use HSPF for runoff
simulation, the field is simplified as a pervious land. In this example, several input data
files need to be prepared. They are FIELD1.EXP, FIELD1.UCI, FIELD LEXS, and
FIELD1.WDM. The files FIELD1.EXP, FIELD1.UCI, and FIELD1.EXS are three
original data input files, which are listed in APPENDIX II to IV, respectively. The file
FIELD1.EXS is a simple file containing storm event information, which can be
interactively prepared using HSPEXP. The file FIELD LWDM is created from
FIELDLEXP using ANNIE. Here, the files FIELDLEXP and FIELD1.UCI are briefly
described in the following.
1) FIELD1.EXP
In this example, snowmelt is not considered. For simulating runoff from the study
field in 1995, three daily data series, precipitation, evaporation, and runoff, are prepared.
The runoff data is used for comparison of simulation results.
In the file FIELD LEXP, the time-series data of precipitation, evaporation, and
runoff are organized as three data sets with Data-Set-Numbers (DSN) 39, 41, and 136,
respectively. The three data sets are in compressed formats. In data set for the timeseries precipitation or runoff, the data is compressed only if the precipitation or runoff
values in several consecutive days are equal to zero. In data set for the time-series of
evaporation, the data is compressed if the evaporation values in several consecutive days
are same.
Following the three data sets of observed precipitation, evaporation, and runoff,
there are nine data set templates in the file FlELDLEXP. These data set templates are

24

used to contain simulation results from HSPF. For example, the simulated total runoff
time series will be put into the data set with DSN 420 and the simulated surface runoff
into the data set with DSN 421. The data set with DSN 430 is used to contain the unitconverted runoff in cube feet per second. The original daily runoff data is in inches and is
contained in the data set with DSN 136. The file FIELD1.EXP is utilized to create
FIELD1.WDM by using ANNIE. FIELD1.WDM is an input file for HSPF.

2) FIELD1.UCI
In this example, FIELD1.UCI is the user control input file to run HSPF. The data
in the file is explained section by section as the following.
GLOBAL block: The time period of 1995 for the one-year runoff simulation is
given in this data block.
GLOBAL
Field1, Goodwater Creek watershed, MO
1995 12 31 24 0
1995 1 1 0 0 END
START
3
RUN INTERP OUTPUT LEVEL
0 UNITS
0 WDMSFL
1 TSSFL
RESUME
0 RUN
END GLOBAL

FILES block: There are three files in the file block. HSPF reads data from the
file FlELD1.WDM and writes simulation results back to the file using FORTRAN I10
unit 26. HSPF will write operation message to FILED1.ECH using I10 unit 25 and the
simulation result summary to FIELD LOUT using I10 unit 90.
FILES
<type> <fun>.**<
25
field1.ech
MESSU
fie101.wdm
WDM
26
90
field1.out
END FILES

fname

25

OPN SEQUENCE block: There is only one pervious land named as PERLND
307 for this simulation. COPY 100 is used for transferring simulation results into the file
FIELD 1 .WDM. The input data is daily time-series. To get better results, the calculation
time step used for the runoff simulation is 30 minutes, which is indicated using the
variable INDELT.
OPN SEQUENCE
INGRP
PERLND
307
COPY
100
END INGRP
END OPN SEQUENCE

INDELT 00:30

PERLND block: There are several data sections in this block, which are
described in the details:
ACTIVITY section - In this working example, only water budget is simulated.
The flag of PWAT is set to be 1 for active.
ACTIVITY
***
<PLS >
Active Sections
x - x ATMP SNOW PWAT SED PST PWG PQAL MSTL PEST NITR PROS TRAC ***
1
0
0
0
0
0
307
0
0
0
0
0
0
ND ACTIVITY

PRINT-INFO section - The values in this section control printout level for the file
FIELD LOUT. The default values for all flags are 4. The value of 5 under PWAT means
the printout for water balance simulation is in yearly level.
PRINT-INFO
< pLR > ********************* p r int -fl ags ************************* pivi, pyR
x - x ATMP SNOW PWAT SED PST PWG PQAL MSTL PEST NITA PHOS TRAC *********
4
1
12
307
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
END PRINT-INFO

26

GEN-INFO section - This section gives general information for PERLND 307 and
input/output data units. The value of 1 for unit flag means using English unit. The value
of 90 for I10 unit means that the yearly level printout will be written into FILE LOUT.
GEN- INFO
<PLS >
x

307
Corn
END GEN-INFO

Name

MOLES Unit-systems
Printer***
t-series Engl Metr***
***
in out
1
90
1
0

PWAT-PARM1 section - The flags beginning with "v" indicate whether or not
certain parameters will be assumed to vary throughout the year on the month basis: 1
means they do vary, 0 means they do not. In this sample, the interception storage
capacity, upper zone nominal storage, Manning's roughness coefficient, and lower zone
evapotranspiration are varied monthly. The flags corresponding to these variables are
VCS, VUZ, VNN, and VLE, respectively and their values are set to 1.
PWAT-PARM1
*** <PLS >
Flags
*** x - x CSNO ATOP UZFG VCS VUZ VNN VIFW VIRC VLE
307
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
END PWAT-PARM1

PWAT-PARM2 section - The values for overland flow length (LSUR) and land
slope (SLSUR) are determined from the topography of the study field. The parameters
KVARY and AGWRC are related to ground water recession. For small watersheds or
fields, the two parameter values are generally close to 0.0 (ARM User's Manual Donigian et al., 1978, pp.63). In this study, these two parameters are assumed to have
their minimum values. LZSN is lower zone nominal storage and LNFILT is an index to
the mean infiltration rate on the watershed. The two parameters mainly control
infiltration and baseflow. The initial values of the two parameters can be assumed based

27

on the parameter evaluation guidelines described in ARM user's Manual (Donigian et al.,
1978). Their fmal values, however, must be determined through model calibration. The
calibrated values for LZSN and INFILT are 7.0 in and 0.001 in/hr.
PWAT-PARM2
*** <PLS>
FOREST
x - x
0.0
307
END PWAT-PARM2

LZSN
(in)
7.000

LSUR
(ft)
750

INFILT
(in/hr)
0.001

SLSUR
0.0062

KVARY
(1/in)
0.000

AGWRC
(1/day)
0.001

PWAT-PARM3 section - The values for the first four parameters PETMAX,
PETMIN, INFEXP and INFILD in this section are the same as the values used in the Iowa
River study, which was taken as a sample case study in Application Guide for HSPF
(Donigian et al., 1984). These values are also accepted for general runoff simulation
using HSPF. The other parameters related to deep percolation (DEEPFR), baseflow,
evapotranspiration (BASETP), and groundwater evapotranspiration (AGWETP) are set to
be 0.0 because of the underlying claypan soil in the study field. The claypan makes
baseflow and the groundwater storage in the study field to be ignored.
PWAT-PARM3
PETMAX
*** <PLS>
*** x - x
(deg F)
40.0
307
END PWAT-PARM3

PETMIN
(deg F)
35.0

INFEXP

INFILD

DEEPFR

BASETP

AGWETP

2.0

2.0

0.000

0.000

0.000

PWAT-PARM4 section - The parameters INTFW and IRC are related to interflow
recession. The parameter values are given based on the case study used in Application
Guide for HSPF (Donigian et al, 1984) and adjusted through model calibration. The
parameter values listed for interception storage (CEPSC), upper zone nominal storage
(UZSN), Manning's n, and lower zone evapotranspiration are not the values used for
HSPF simulation because their flags indicated that these parameter values are given
monthly. The monthly varying data are listed following this section.
28

PWAT-PARM4
*** <PLS >
CEPSC
*** x - x
(in)
0.0
307
END PWAT-PARM4

UZSN
(in)
1.0

NSUR

INTFW

0.1

1.0

IRC
(1/day)
0.6

LZETP
0.0

The monthly varying interception storage (MON-INTERCEP), upper zone

nominal storage (MON-UZSN), and lower zone evapotranspiration (MON-LZETPARM)
for PERLND 8 in Iowa River Study given in the Application Guide for FISPF (Donigian
et al., 1984) are used here. The weather and land conditions in Iowa and Missouri are
similar.
NON-INTERCEP
*** <PLS > Interception storage capacity at start of each month (in)
*** x - x JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
307
0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.10 0.16 0.18 0.14 0.03 0.03
END NON-INTERCEP
MON-UZSN
*** <PLS > Upper zone nominal staorage start of each month (in)
*** x - x JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
307
0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.4 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.0 0.9
END MON-UZSN
MON-LZETPARM
*** <PLS > Lower zone evapotransp parm at start of each month
*** x - x JAN FEB MAR. APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
307
0.20 0.20 0.20 0.23 0.23 0.25 0.60 0.80 0.75 0.50 0.30 0.20
END MON-LZETPARM

MON-MANNING section - The monthly values of Manning's n are assumed to

not vary in this study. The value of 0.1 is used for all of the months for the study field.
MON-MANNING
*** <PLS > Manning's n for overland flow at start of each month (in)
*** x - x JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
307
0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
END MON-MANNING

PWAT-STATE1 section - this section gives the initial values for several
parameters. These values are assumed based on the field condition and adjusted during
model calibration.
PWAT-STATE1
*** <PLS> PWATER state variables (in)
*** x - x
CEPS
SURS
UZS

IFWS

29

LZS

AGWS

GWVS

307
0.0
END PWAT-STATE1

0.0

0.0

0.1

3.5

0.0

0.0

COPY block: This block indicates that there are eight mean-value time-series
data being transferred using the COPY block.
COPY
TIMESERIES
Copy-opn***
*** x - x NPT NMN
100
0
8
END TIMESERIES
END COPY

EXT SOURCES block: The precipitation data and evaporation data from data
sets with DSN 39 and DSN 41 in the file FIELDLWDM are used for the study field
(PERLND 307) simulation. The evaporation data in DSN 41 were observed from
evaporation pan. The data times 0.8 is taken for land use. This block also indicates that
the runoff data from the data set with DSN 136 in the file FIELD1.WDM will be read
into COPY 100 as its time-series 1, which is used for unit conversion from inch to cube
feet per second.
EXT SOURCES
<-Volume-> <Member>
<Name> x <Name> x
WDM1
39 PREC 10
41 EVAP 10
WDM1
WDM1
136 FLOW 10
END EXT SOURCES

SsysSgap<--Mult-->Tran <-Target vols> <-Grp> <-Member->

<Name> x x
tern strg<-factor->strg <Name> x x
PERLND 307 0 EXTNL PREC 1 1
ENGL
1.0
PERLND 307 0 EXTNL PETINP 1 1
ENGL
0.8
0 INPUT MEAN 1 1
ENGL
COPY 100
1.0

EXT TARGETS block: The first command line is for putting the total simulated
runoff from the study field (PERLND 307) into the file FIELD1.WDM as data set 420.
The second command line is for converting runoff data in inches from COPY 100 into the
corresponding data using cubic feet per second as unit, and then put these data into the
file FIELD1.WDM as data set 430. The value of 3.7355556 in this line is the unit

30

conversion factor calculated based on the drainage area of 36 ha. The other command
lines in this block are used for transferring data from COPY 100 into the file
FIELD1.WDM. The data in COPY 100 are defined through the two blocks
SCHEMATIC and MASS-LINK.
EXT TARGETS
<-Volume-> <-Grp>
x
<Name>
PERLND 307 PWATER
100 OUTPUT
COPY
COPY
100 OUTPUT
COPY
100 OUTPUT
100 OUTPUT
COPY
COPY
100 OUTPUT
100 OUTPUT
COPY
COPY
100 OUTPUT
COPY
100 OUTPUT
END EXT TARGETS

<-Member-><--Mult-->Tran
<Name> x x<-factor->strg
1.0
PERO
1 1
MEAN
1 1 3.7355556
1.0
2 1
MEAN
1.0
MEAN
3 1
4 1
1.0
MEAN
1.0
5 1
MEAN
1.0
MEAN
6 1
1.0
7 1
MEAN
1.0
8 1
MEAN

<-Volume->
x
<Name>
WDM1
420
430
WDM1
421
WDM1
422
WDM1
WDM1
423
425
WDM1
WDM1
426
WDM1
427
WDM1
428

Tsys
tern
ENGL
ENGL
ENGL
ENGL
ENGL
ENGL
ENGL
1 ENGL
1 ENGL

<Member>
<Name>gf
QDEP
1
1
FLOW
SURO
1
IFWO
1
1
AGWO
1
PETX
1
SAET

UZSX
LZSX

Aggr
strg
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR
AGGR

Amd ***
strg***
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL
REPL

SCHEMATIC block: This block indicates that the simulation result from
PERLND 307 will go to COPY 100 using MASS-LINK 1.
SCHEMATIC
<-Volume->
<Name> x
PERLND 307
END SCHEMATIC

<--Area-->
<-factor->

<-Volume-> <ML# ***

***
<Name> x
100
1
COPY

MASS-LINK block: There is only one data section termed as MASS-LINK 1 in

this block. MASS-LINK 1 is used for transferring simulation data from PERLND 307
into COPY 100.

31

MASS-LINK
MASS-LINK
<-Volume-> <-Grp>
<Name>
PERLND
PWATER
PERLND
PWATER
PWATER
PERLND
PWATER
PERLND
PWATER
PERLND
PWATER
PERLND
PERLND
PWATER
END MASS-LINK

1
<-Member-><--Mult-->Tran
<Name> x x<-factor->strg
SURO
IFWO
AGWO
PET
TAET
UZS
LZS
1

<-Target vols> <-Grp>

<Name>
INPUT
COPY
INPUT
COPY
INPUT
COPY
INPUT
COPY
INPUT
COPY
INPUT
COPY
COPY
INPUT

<-Member->
<Name> x x
MEAN
2
MEAN
3
4
MEAN
MEAN
5
6
MEAN
MEAN
7
MEAN
8

lc

END MASS-LINK

3. MODEL RUN AND CALIBRATION

The first step is to run ANNIE for creating the file FIELDLWDM using the file
FIELD1.EXP. To run HSPF, the two files FIELD1.UCI and FIELD1.WDM are needed.
The program HSPF can be run independently or through the Expert System for
Calibration of HSPF (HSPEXP). To run HSPEXP, additional file FIELDLEXS is
needed. The file contains the information about storm events.
HSPEXP allows the user to interactively edit the input UCI file for the
hydrological Simulation Program (HSPF), simulate with HSPF, produce plots of HSPF
output compared to observed values, compute error statistics for a simulation, and
provide the user with expert advice on which parameter should be changed up or down
(HSPEXP README file). In the example for runoff simulation, the major calibrated
parameter is the index of infiltration rate (INFILT). The parameter evaluation guidelines
in ARM User's Manual (Donigian et al., 1978, pp.61) give a range from 0.01 to 1.0 in/hr
depending on the cohesiveness and permeability of the soil. INFILT can range from 0.01
to 0.05 in/hr for SCS Hydrologic Soil Group D, high runoff potential soil lands. Our
study field is in this category. In this example, an initial value of 0.01 in/hr for INFILT is
used. This value, however, gives over 30 percent of total runoff as baseflow. The

32

simulation result does not match the field observation that baseflow can be ignored
because of the underlying claypan in the study field. To eliminate the baseflow overestimation problem, the final value of INFILT is calibrated to be 0.001 in/hr that is much
smaller than the initial value. HSPF was designed for simulating infiltraion in uniform
soils. To deal with layered soils, especially the case of a thin surface layer underlain by a
claypan in our field study, INFILT must be calibrated. The statistical summary of
calibration results is shown in Fig. 6 and the general report for the calibration results is
given in the file FIELD LOUT, which is listed in APPENDIX V.

Fig.6 Statistics summary of calibration results.

Output from most recent HSPF calibration run:

Total annual runoff, in inches

Total of highest 10% flows, in inches
Total of lowest 50% flows, in inches

Simulated
15.010
13.360
0.110

Observed
15.006
14.597
0.000

Evapotranspiration, in inches

Simulated
28.180

Potential
29.920

Total storm volume, in inches

Average of storm peaks, in cfs
Basef low recession rate

Simulated
11.100
3.686
0.830

Observed
13.142
4.269
-547.900

Total simulated storm interflow, in inches

Total simulated storm surface runoff, in inches >
Simulated
4.550
3.460
2.270

Summer flow volume, in inches

Winter flow volume, in inches
Summer storm volume, in inches

1.180
12.850
Observed
4.327
3.084
2.728

Figure 6 indicates that the simulation results match the observed values well. The
simulated total runoff for the year of 1995 is 15.010 in and the observed value is 15.006

33

in. The simulated total storm volume for the seven selected storm events, which are
listed in the file FIELD1.EXS, is 11.100 in and the corresponding observed value is
13.142 in. The simulated and observed average peak discharges for the seven storm
events are 3.686 and 4.269, respectively. The general report given in the file
FIELD LOUT lists individual values for total moisture supply - precipitation (SUPLY),
total runoff, surface runoff, interflow, and baseflow. They are 44.820, 15.007, 12.850,
1.179, and 0.978 inches, respectively. The results indicate that only a very small percent
of total runoff is interflow and baseflow. This is consistent with the field observations.
In the example for runoff simulation, daily precipitation data is used. More
detailed precipitation data, such as hourly data, is expected to be used for Goodwater
Creek watershed simulations.

CONCLUSION
HSPF is a comprehensive, conceptual, and continuous watershed model designed
for simulation of watershed hydrology and water quality; HSPEXP is an expert system for
calibration of HSPF; and ANNIE uses a binary, direct-access file called a Watershed Data
Management (WDM) file to store and manipulate the input/output data for HSPF.
Various features of these three programs were tested and the input/output data structures
are described. The details of how to use ANNIE to store data into a VVDM file for HSPH
use, how to prepare the User Control Input (UCI) data, and how to use HSPF and
HSPEXP to simulate runoff are explained through a working example - simulating runoff
from a research field in Goodwater Creek watershed located in Central Missouri. This

34

watershed was established as a research experiment by U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Agricultural Research Service in 1971.
The tests conducted in this study indicate that HSPF can be used to simulate
snowmelt, runoff, sediment, nutrient, and pesticide. The example for runoff simulation
shows a good match between simulation results and observed data.

gYZ-5 5'
t7 6

REFERENCES:
Bicknell, B. R., J. C. Imhoff, and A. S. Donigian, 1996. User's Manual for Hydrological
Simulation Program-FORTRAN. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA.

Crawford, N. H and R. K. Linsley, 1966. Digital simulation in hydrology: Stanford

Watershed Model N. Technical Report No. 39, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

Donigian, A. S. and H. H. Davis, 1978. User's Manual for Agricultural Runoff

Management (ARM) Model. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA.

Donigian, A. S. and N. H. Crawford, 1979. User's Manual for the Nonpoint Source
(NPS) Model. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA.

Flynn, K. M., P. R. Hummel, A. M. Lumb, and J. L. Kittle, 1996. User's Manual for
ANNIE, Version2, a computer program for interactive hydrologic data management.
Water-Resources Investigation Report 95-4085, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

Lumb, A. M., R. B. McCammon, and J. L. Kittle, 1994. User's Manual for an Expert
System (HSPEXP) for Calibration of the Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN,
Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4168, Reston, VA.

36