Visual Hydro Examples and Tutorials

®
The Visual Solution
CAiCE Visual Hydro®

Tutorials and Examples
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Table of Contents
CAiCE Visual Hydro Examples and Tools

Table of Contents
Introduction to CAiCE Visual Hydro .................................................................................................. 7
1.1 Description of the Introductory Guide ....................................................................................7

1.2 Applications of Visual Hydro....................................................................................................7
1.3 Hydrology, Hydraulics and 3-D Surface Modeling ................................................................8
1.4 Background of Visual Hydro ...................................................................................................10
1.5 Evolution of the SWMM Model..............................................................................................12
1.6 Features and Components of Visual Hydro ..........................................................................13
1.6.1 Hydro Mapping and Plotting of Networks ..........................................................................13
1.6.2 Hydraulics............................................................................................................................13
1.6.3 Hydrology Data Input ..........................................................................................................14
1.6.4 Hydrology Calculations .......................................................................................................14
1.6.5 Open Channel / River Analysis ...........................................................................................14
1.6.6 Inlet Spread Analysis ...........................................................................................................15
1.6.7 Culvert and Weir Design .....................................................................................................15
1.6.8 Retention/Detention Pond Design .......................................................................................15
1.7 Beginning Visual Hydro Example ..........................................................................................17
1.7.1 Create the Project.................................................................................................................17
1.7.2 Import the SRV Data and Plot the Points ............................................................................19
1.7.3 Create the DTM Surface .......................................................................................................22
1.7.4 Drainage Network Creation.................................................................................................27
1.7.5 Visual SWMM Analysis.......................................................................................................36
1.7.6 Network Profile ...................................................................................................................43
1.8 Using Visual Hydro in CAiCE – BV User..............................................................................49
1.9 Using Visual Hydro in CAiCE – BCV User...........................................................................51
1.10 Summary Workflow for Visual Hydro ...............................................................................54
Visual Hydro Tools .............................................................................................................................. 59
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................59
2.2 Importing the .SRV Data and Creating a Project ................................................................59
2.3 Viewing the Survey Chains and Points ..................................................................................60
2.4 Defining the DTM ....................................................................................................................61
2.4.1 Triangulation and Shading of the DTM ..............................................................................62
2.5 Defining or Creating the Drainage Network .........................................................................64
2.5.1 Quick Create the Network from a Survey Chain.................................................................66
2.5.2 Quick Create the Network from a Survey Chain at Even Intervals.....................................69
2.5.3 Quick Create the Network from a Geometry Chain at Even Intervals ................................70
2.5.4 Spreadsheet Editing of Node and Conduit Data..................................................................71
2.5.5 Setting the Watershed Data in Visual Hydro.......................................................................73
2.5.6 Defining Outfalls in Visual Hydro ......................................................................................74
2.5.7 Defining Ponds in Visual Hydro..........................................................................................74
2.5.8 Defining More than One Conduit between Two Nodes in Visual Hydro ...........................75
2.6 Solving the Drainage Network in Visual Hydro....................................................................77
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2.7 Visual SWMM Theory.............................................................................................................78

2.8 Solving the Drainage Network in Visual SWMM.................................................................81
2.9 Output File Summary in Visual SWMM...............................................................................84
2.10 Visual SWMM Graphical and Report Files ........................................................................87
2.11 Reviewing the Results in Visual SWMM .............................................................................89
2.12 HGL Viewing in Visual SWMM...........................................................................................91
2.13 Spatial Reports in Visual SWMM ........................................................................................92
2.14 Graphical Encoding in Visual SWMM ................................................................................93
2.15 Report Generation in Visual SWMM ..................................................................................95
2.15.1 Defining More than One Conduit between Two Nodes in Visual SWMM ......................96
2.15.2 Defining Pumps, Weirs and Orifices .................................................................................97
2.16 The Minimum Grade Command ..........................................................................................98
2.17 SRV Import of the Visual SWMM Network .....................................................................100
2.18 XPX Input of XP-SWMM or Visual SWMM Data...........................................................103
2.19 Visualization and Plotting Tools in Visual Hydro.............................................................107
2.20 Water Flow Model ...............................................................................................................112
2.21 Chapter 2 Summary.............................................................................................................112
Hydraulic Design Examples .............................................................................................................. 113
3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................113
3.2 Modeling a Culvert and Road Crossing..............................................................................114
3.2.1 Hydraulic Layer Equations ................................................................................................120
3.3 Modeling a Dendritic Network .............................................................................................122
3.3.1 User Defined Time Series..................................................................................................124
3.3.2 Design Option....................................................................................................................125
3.4 Surface Flooding Options......................................................................................................128
3.5 Modeling a Drainage Pond....................................................................................................135
3.6 Modeling an Drainage Pond (2)............................................................................................142
3.7 Modeling an Open Channel System .....................................................................................145
3.8 Modeling an Open Channel system (2) ................................................................................150
3.9 Cross Section Cutting and Import to a Visual SWMM Natural Channel........................153
3.10 Inlet Control in Visual Hydro .............................................................................................160
3.11 Major Minor System............................................................................................................164
3.12 Pumps in Visual SWMM .....................................................................................................172
3.13 Simulation Tips for Visual SWMM Hydraulics................................................................178
3.14 Changing the 3D Viewpoint in CAiCE...............................................................................179
Hydrology Examples .......................................................................................................................... 181
4.1 Hydrology Examples..............................................................................................................181

4.2 Infiltration Data .....................................................................................................................181
4.3 Types of Flow Into and Out of Visual SWMM. ..................................................................184
4.4 Rainfall Databases in Visual SWMM ..................................................................................185
4.5 SCS Hydrology .......................................................................................................................190
4.6 Rational Method Hydrology .................................................................................................191
4.7 Santa Barbara Urban Hydrograph (SBUH) .......................................................................193
4.8 Simulation Tips in Visual SWMM Hydrology ....................................................................194
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4.8.1 Import and Export Utilities................................................................................................195

4.8.2 Flow Capacity Report ........................................................................................................195
Inlet Capture and Street Flow .......................................................................................................... 199
5.1 What is Inlet Spread Analysis?.............................................................................................199

5.2 Defining a Network for the Table.........................................................................................200
5.2.1 Manually Defining and Editing the Network ....................................................................201
5.2.2 Loading from a Stored Network ........................................................................................201
5.2.3 Loading from a CSV File ..................................................................................................202
5.3 Selecting Rainfall Characteristics ........................................................................................202
5.3.1 Selecting the Return Period ...............................................................................................202
5.3.2 Selecting the IDF Table .....................................................................................................202
5.3.3 Creating or Modifying IDF Table Files.............................................................................202
5.4 Defining Street Flow Geometry ............................................................................................203
5.5 Solving the Water Inlet Calculation Table ..........................................................................203
5.6 Importing the Results ............................................................................................................203
5.7 Inlet Spread Analysis Example.............................................................................................204
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Preface
Preface
You will find that Visual Hydro for Drainage and Stormwater Management is a complete software package
that combines an advanced digital terrain manager (Visual DTM) with a comprehensive hydrology/hydraulics
package (Visual SWMM). Using this integrated package the 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional data
representing the watershed is intimately connected to the hydrology and hydraulics analysis. The drainage
network is generated from either survey or geometry chains in Visual Hydro with the generated data consisting
of invert elevations, ground elevations, and conduit lengths. Visual Hydro can then show the simulation
results as 2 and 3 dimensional profiles embedded in the DTM. It is both a revolutionary and evolutionary new
means of designing and analyzing storm and sewer networks.
Now, before you continue Visual Hydro, please read a few more words on the usage of this manual. This
manual shows you how to build your networks in Visual Hydro. It has three target audiences:
• A beginner to both CAiCE and Visual SWMM (henceforth called BC&V),
• A beginner to CAiCE but a user of Visual SWMM (henceforth called BC),
• A beginner to Visual SWMM but a user of CAiCE (henceforth called BV).
A BC&V user should begin with chapter 1 for introductory information on CAiCE and Visual SWMM, but the
first example should be the example in section 1.7 – Beginning Visual Hydro Example. Chapters 2, 3 and 4
then can be read for more advanced hydraulics, hydrology and inlet analysis examples.
A BC and BV user can concentrate on chapter 1 (including section 1.7) for more information on individual
commands in CAiCE and Visual SWMM that are unfamiliar to him or her. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 then can be
read for more advanced hydraulics, hydrology and inlet analysis examples.
Note: Sections of the manual that would have particular appeal to either a BC or BV user will have a note
attached to that section. For example,
Ideal for BC . or Ideal for BV .
Thank you for reading this page first and now enjoy the Visual Hydro experience.
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Introduction to CAiCE Visual Hydro
Chapter 1
Introduction to CAiCE Visual Hydro
1.1 Description of the Introductory Guide
The purpose of this Guide is to introduce the user to both CAiCE Visual Hydro and its Visual SWMM
module through the usage of many examples. We will introduce the following examples of common
applications of Visual Hydro. These are: (1) Culvert Example, (2) Stormwater Pond example, (3)
Culvert and Road Crossing example, (4) Dendritic network example, (5) Boundary condition example,
(6) User Defined Hydrograph example and (7) an orifice and weir example, (8) pond example, (9)
inlet analysis example, (10) rational method example, (11) SCS Hydrology example, (12) EPA Runoff
example, and (13) Santa Barbara Urban Hydrograph example.
Chapter 1 is divided into sections that apply more to beginners or advanced users of Visual Hydro.
The more important sections and their target audiences are:
Section 1.7 is a short complete example of Visual Hydro. It is intended for the beginning user or an
advanced user who needs to refresh himself or herself on the procedures of creating a network in
Visual Hydro.
Section 1.8 is a Visual Hydro workflow. It is intended for an advanced user of CAiCE.
Section 1.9 is a Visual Hydro workflow. It is intended for a beginning user of CAiCE.
Section 1.10 is a Visual Hydro workflow. It is intended for an advanced user of CAiCE as a reminder
of all the steps taken in modeling a stormwater or sanitary network.
Chapter 2 discusses in more detail most of the features of Visual Hydro. The subsections of chapter
2 can be used to examine the ramifications of a tool in Visual Hydro.
1.2 Applications of Visual Hydro

CAiCE Visual Hydro for Drainage and Stormwater Management can be used for a wide variety of
applications. Some of the more common uses include:
• Culvert analysis.
• Retention and Detention ponds.
• Flow over Berms, Dikes and Levees.
• Water quality simulation and BMP pollutant removal.
• Landfill Drainage.
• Open Channel Systems and River modeling.
• Mixed open and closed conduit network.
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• Golf Course Hydrology and Hydraulics.
• Interchanges and overpass drainage.
• City and town stormwater drainage master drainage plans.
• Subdivision drainage and Inlet Analysis.
• Roadway Drainage.
• Sanitary Sewer Networks including force mains.
• Combined Sewer Networks with real time control.
Generally, Visual Hydro is ideal for those situations in which either survey chain information or a
DTM surface is available to supply data for a drainage network. The input of data is easier and the
results can be viewed in conjunction with the DTM surface. For example, the conduits can either be
seen in profile or as 3D objects that can be viewed from any angle on the screen. Also, by altering the
transparency of the DTM surface the underlying pipe network can be seen along with the terrain. The
CAiCE Visual Site module allows you to add buildings and building pads to the DTM creating with
the sewer network a Visual depiction of the sewerageshed.
These uses of Visual Hydro can be further grouped into the following categories:
1. Highway drainage,
2. Site development,
3. Subdivision design,
4. Planned unit developments,
5. Master drainage plans,
6. Complex stormwater networks,
7. Complex sewerage networks,
8. Continuous water balance models of ponds, and
9. Water quality models of watersheds.
1.3 Hydrology, Hydraulics and 3-D Surface Modeling

The purpose of the guide and example manual is to introduce you to the features and power of CAiCE
Visual Hydro® through the use of introductory material, comprehensive examples and problem solving
and modeling tips. This manual is intended for the modeler who wants to model a simple drainage
system up to complex closed and open channel systems.
CAiCE Visual Hydro® is the most comprehensive storm water and wastewater management model
available. It couples CAiCE’s Survey, DTM, and visualization capabilities with the most advanced
hydrology and hydraulics capabilities available (in the Visual SWMM module). Visual Hydro®
represents a family of products for the modeling of storm and wastewater sewer networks. This
documentation shows examples in Visual Hydro using the integrated Visual SWMM and CAiCE’s
Visual Survey, Visual DTM and Visual Manager. Note: separate documentation also exists for the
standalone products CAiCE Visual Manager and Visual SWMM.
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The CAiCE Visual Hydro® module is used to develop open and closed conduit networks using data
from general three-dimensional shapes. Visual Hydro uses the DTM surface or survey points to
define the network. You can define a variety of Hydrologic Methods in Visual Hydro including:
Rational Method, SCS Hydrology, EPA Runoff, Kinematic Wave and Santa Barbara Urban
Hydrograph (SBUH). The Visual SWMM module then analyzes the network and designs the conduit
sizes to prevent surcharging of the conduits using either the flows generated from the hydrologic
method or a user defined constant inflow.
Visual Hydro works with 3-D shapes that are derived from survey or geometry chains and shapes
merged with a DTM. A shape can be duplicated, moved, and rotated as needed without changing the
location of the original chain. By setting criteria for defining the elevation along the path of the shape,
specifying flat and steep cut/fill slopes, and working against an existing DTM surface CAiCE is able
to extend slopes from the path of the shape. The end result is a set of points and breakline chains that
defines the 3-D shape of the proposed surface and a clip file defining its perimeter. By clipping this
area out of the current DTM and merging in the new surface data, you can build a composite surface
of existing terrain and design surfaces.
Visual SWMM and Visual Hydro together give you all of the capabilities of XP-SWMM or the Visual
SWMM standalone product in addition to:
• Network creation and generation from survey chains and geometry chains,
• 3D Network Visualization,
• Annotated Profile Plotting,
• Access Database,
• Spreadsheet Editing, and
• VBA macros.
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1.4 Background of Visual Hydro

Visual Hydro is a combination of the well known XP-SWMM Stormwater and Wastewater Modeling
System and the CAiCE Visual Manager. Visual or XP-SWMM was originally derived from version 4
of the Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) (Huber
and Dickinson, 1988). The XP interface for SWMM was developed by XP Software Pty. Ltd. in
1992 and 1993. Visual SWMM is the next generation of XP SWMM and is based on XP-SWMM32
version 5.6. Visual SWMM is developed by the merged XP Software Inc. and CAiCE Software
Corporation development team.
Visual
DTM
HYDRO
Visual Hydrology
Figure 1. The Visual Hydrology module communicates with the Visual DTM manager. The Hydro
pull down menu provides access to the Visual Hydrology command in CAiCE.
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Visual
Hydro
XPX ASCII XPX ASCII
File File
Visual SWMM
Interface
OUT, SYF,
.SYR,.RES .DAT File
Files
Visual SWMM
Analysis Engine
Figure 2. The Visual Hydro to Visual SWMM connection is through the ASCII XPX file and the ASCII
.OUT file. The XPX file and OUT file have the same prefix as the name of your Hydro network. The
connection is accomplished by the use of the import and export functions of Visual SWMM. The
Visual Hydro and Visual SWMM interfaces are separate executables written in Visual C++ and the
Visual SWMM analysis engine is a dynamically linked library (DLL) written in Digital Visual Fortran.
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Evolution of the SWMM Model
EPA SWMM Figure 3. The SWMM model over time.
1971-
XP SWMM
1991-1998
Visual SWMM
1998-
1.5 Evolution of the SWMM Model

Visual SWMM continues the evolution of the EPA SWMM model from a DOS based ASCII input
and output program into a Windows based decision support graphical system. XP-SWMM introduced
the concept of graphical network creation in Windows. A link and node network describing the
watersheds and hydraulic elements are drawn on the computer screen or imported from spreadsheet or
database files. A point and click with the mouse will bring up a data dialog describing the node or link
data in the three layers of the interface: runoff, sanitary, and hydraulics layers, which correspond to the
runoff, transport and Extran modules of SWMM.
Visual Hydro uses the data from a DTM and its associated survey chains to construct a drainage
network. Ground and invert elevations, cross section data, and conduit lengths are calculated by
Visual Hydro for import into the Visual SWMM module. Visual SWMM then performs the design
and analysis of the network. The designed system then can be viewed in Visual Hydro as either a 2
and 3 dimensional profile embedded in the DTM.
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1.6 Features and Components of Visual Hydro

The features of Visual Hydro® can be grouped into several categories: Decision Support or Intelligent
Graphics, Plans and Report Production, Modeling or Engineering Capabilities and Integration with
other software such as ArcView. The Visual Hydro® Family of products shares the same graphical
features and capabilities and they only differ in the engineering or modeling options. For example,
CAiCE for Storm Water Management does not have the water quality capabilities of CAiCE for Storm
and Wastewater Management Modeling. Although all of the graphical tools would be common to
both, Water Quality modeling would only be available in the latter. This allows Visual Hydro® to be
customized to a specific discipline or area of expertise.
Features within the Visual Hydro Manager include the capability to: create drainage networks from
CAiCE survey and geometry data, store the node and link elements and their data within a Microsoft
Access database and edit the networks and object data within CAiCE. These networks are drawn
realistically and can be viewed in 3D with other CAiCE objects such as the DTM surface, survey
chains and points, and roadway alignments. The network objects employ the full capabilities of
CAiCE’s feature tables allowing manholes, ponds, pipes and channels etc. to be displayed with
common properties such as color, cell or line weight. The intelligence of an object is intrinsic in the
database. The database stores much more than the color attributes, it also stores the network model
data.
Many Hydrologic and Hydraulic Decision Support Graphic features exist within Visual Hydro.
Figure 4 shows some of the features for hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, analysis, and graphics in
the combination of Visual Hydro and its Visual SWMM Module. Some of the more common themes
and applications of Visual Hydro are discussed in the following subsections.
1.6.1 Hydro Mapping and Plotting of Networks

This component is used to define the geometric layout of the drainage network without doing any
hydrology or hydraulic calculations. Its capabilities include:
• Definition of inlet and manhole locations and characteristics from survey chains and geometry
chains.
• Definition of the location, size, and characteristics of pipes.
• 2D and 3D visualization of the drainage network.
• Report generation for network geometry and characteristics using a spreadsheet editor and linkage
to Microsoft Access and Excel.
• Spreadsheet editing of the network data.
• Plotting of the network on plan, profile, and cross section drawings.
For example, the user is able to take data from EPA SWMM and XP-SWMM and define the network
geometry for visualization and plotting purposes
1.6.2 Hydraulics
Hydraulics deals with the calculation of water flow characteristics within the drainage pipe system.
The hydraulics model using the 1 dimensional dynamic wave equation to calculate the flow through
the conduits based on the difference between the upstream and downstream hydraulic grade line, the
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conduit roughness, and the upstream and downstream cross sectional area difference. The hydraulics
features and components include:
• Pipe design (sizing) based on conduit surcharge.
• Analysis of the flow capacity and storage of the network for given pipe sizes.
• Calculation of the hydraulic grade line over time.
• Dynamic modeling of water flow through the system over time.
• Generation and storing of HGL and flow results.
• Generation of reports and graphs.
• Simulation of interconnected ponds and open channels in the drainage network.
Visual Hydro has the ability to define the network geometry and characteristics. It performs hydraulic
calculations that enable the user to design and analyze the drainage system. If the hydrology
component is not used the amount of water flowing into each inlet would have to be determined
elsewhere and provided as input to the system in a user defined inflow hydrograph.
1.6.3 Hydrology Data Input

Visual Hydro allows the user to define the input necessary for many hydrology methods. It performs
the computations for the rational method and exports the results as a triangular user defined
hydrograph. It is capable of:
• Creation and access of user-definable tables for rainfall data and characteristics in an IDF.TBL
file.
• User selection of rainfall characteristics for design storms.
• Definition of infiltration characteristics for Horton and Green-Ampt.
• Defining watershed boundaries (in version 2 of Visual Hydro).
1.6.4 Hydrology Calculations

Hydrology is the conversion of rainfall data into water runoff, and calculation of the volume of water
flowing into the drainage system. The hydrology components includes:
• Selection of methodology (EPA Runoff, SCS, Rational Method, Santa Barbara etc.)
• Watershed modeling from a DTM.
• Calculations of runoff to inlets.
• Generation and storing of results.
• Generation of reports and graphs.
1.6.5 Open Channel / River Analysis

Visual Hydro can generate cross sections to be used in the dynamic modeling of water flow in open
channels, streams, ditches, and rivers. These channels are simulated in the hydraulics layer of the
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Visual SWMM module. The data is exported as either a HEC-2 or HEC-RAS cross section using the
command File=>Export Translators=>to Hec=>X Section to HEC-2.
1.6.6 Inlet Spread Analysis

The spread analysis table is used for computation of how far the water flowing on a road (in a storm)
will spread. Computations take into account the spacing and type of drainage inlets along the road,
longitudinal and transverse slope of the road and properties of the area contributing (such as the total
area, the imperviousness and the time of concentration) to the stormwater reaching each inlet. This
analysis is required for urban stormwater drainage design and enforces the requirements for the
maximum submerged area as well as the maximum depth of water flowing on a road in a design storm.
1.6.7 Culvert and Weir Design

Visual Hydro can be used to design sizes for culverts based on inflow and outflow information and
culvert characteristics (size, shape, entrance and exit loss, number of barrels etc.). The flow in the
culvert is estimated using the 1D dynamic wave equation.
1.6.8 Retention/Detention Pond Design

The calculation and modeling of stand-alone retention ponds and basins, mostly for site design
applications is done in Visual Hydro. The hydrology data input component can optionally be used to
provide the input data for the volume of water to be handled.
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Visual SWMM
Water
Hydrology Hydraulics Analysis Graphics
Quality
Full Expert CDG or

EPA
Dynamic EMC Data DWG
Runoff Checking or DXF
Wave
Rating Summary Graphical

SCS Diffusion
Curve Water Data
Methods Wave Balance Dialogs
Washoff
HGL and
Fuzzy
Rational Kinematic Buildup Time
Logic
Method Wave Washoff Series
Grading
Graphs
Numerical
EPA 3D
Kinematic Sediment Judgement
Dynamic Visuali-
Wave Transport of the
Wave Program
zation
Figure 4. Features of Visual Hydro in its Visual SWMM module.
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1.7 Beginning Visual Hydro Example

We will start by constructing a small network that illustrates all of the steps used in the creation,
analysis, and plotting of a network in Visual Hydro. If you understand this example and are able to
create and analyze the network then you will be able to utilize the basic features of Visual Hydro.
Later you can read the other examples in Chapters 3 through 5 of this manual to learn the more
advanced features of Visual Hydro. In the future as a reference you can read the individual sub
sections in the remainder of Chapter 2 to review the basic and advanced features of Visual Hydro.
1.7.1 Create the Project

In this example, we will construct a simple pipe network with one watershed and one boundary
condition. The network is created from survey chain SVA38 in the SRV file 333333.SRV. A DTM
surface is constructed using the data in 333333.SRV as the basis of the DTM. The created network
has three nodes and two links. The watershed uses the rational method to generate a triangular
hydrograph. The network is analyzed in the Visual SWMM module and the results are plotted as a
profile plot in CAiCE. For ease of understanding we will number each of the steps used in the
creation, analysis, design, and review of the network. There are a total of 55 steps in this example.
Step 1.
Use the command File=>Project

Manager to bring up the project
definition dialog Project
Management System as shown here.
Step 2.
In the Project Management System

dialog use the command
Project=>Create to start the process
of creating a project. The project
name, the type of units and an
optional description are entered in
the Create CAiCE Project dialog .
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Step 3.
Enter the name of the project,

for example, “MYFILE”, and a
description of the project. The
units of the project will be
metric. Close Create CAiCE
Project by clicking on the OK
button. The file can be created
in any directory but usually the
caice\samples directory is the
default location.
Step 4.
Click OK with the mouse on the default system

settings. The System Settings dialog is accessed after
OK is clicked in the Create CAiCE Project dialog.
Page 18
Step 5.
Activate the project by

clicking with the
mouse on the Activate
Project button.
1.7.2 Import the SRV Data and Plot the Points
Step 6.
Use the command

Project=>Load CAiCE
SRV and load the file
333333.SRV. This SRV
file should be in the
caice\vhydro\samples sub
directory.
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Step 7.
Leave the Project

Management System
dialog by clicking on
the Close button.
Step 8.
View the survey chains

in the SRV file by using
the command
View=>Survey Chains.
Use either the button
All or OK to see all of
the chains.
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Step 9.
At first you will not see the chains and the window may be black. You should then use the icon for fit
window to see the survey chains.
Fit window icon.
Step 10.
The survey chains are now shown in blue. Change the default color in CAiCE to a lighter color using
the color selection toolbar on the desktop. The change in color is helpful because we want the color of
the DTM and the survey chains to be different for better visibility.
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1.7.3 Create the DTM Surface
Step 11.
Use the command DTM=>DTM

Database Manager. This
command is used to define the
name of the DTM. You should
enter the name and then use the
buttons Create and OK to
complete the data for this dialog.
Step 12.
Use the command

DTM=>Load DTM
Database=>From Survey
Points and Chains and click
OK to close the dialog DTM
Data Load. This data forms
the basis of the DTM.
Step 13.
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The DTM triangulation is performed using the command DTM=>Build Triangles. Click Yes in the
Compute Triangles dialog to start the triangulation process. The triangulation process is finished once
the outer boundary appears on the screen.
Finished
Triangulation.
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Steps 14
and 15.
Use the icons

for View
DTM and
wireframe
surface to
view the
DTM or the
icon for a
shaded
surface to
view the
DTM. The
survey chains
are still
shown in
blue on the
lighter DTM
surface.
The icon for viewing the DTM surface.
The icon for viewing the shaded surface of the DTM.
The icon for viewing the wireframe surface of the DTM.
Page 24
Shaded surface
DTM.
Step 16.
Define the use of Data Tips in

the CAiCE interface by using
the F10 key and selecting Use
data tips from the Data Tips
Tab in Global Options. Click
on Save and then Close to exit
the Global Options dialog. Data
Tips will make it easier to
select the correct survey chain
for our Visual Hydro network
as shown on the next page.
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Step 17.
Zoom in on the right arm of the DTM by using the Window In icon.
Step 18.
The section of the DTM on which we will construct our drainage network is near survey chain SVA38
(ABOVE). Use the Data Tips at the end of the mouse movement to show the various names of the
survey chains in this section of the DTM.
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1.7.4 Drainage Network Creation
Step 19.
Use the command

Hydro=>Visual Hydrology to
start the process of creating a
network from the survey chain
data.
Step 20.
Enter a name for the network,

an optional description, an
optional comment, a feature
code and a zone description in
the Drainage Network dialog.
Note: the network is not
created until the Create button
is used.
Page 27
Step 21.
Activate the network by clicking on the P in front of the network name. It should change to an “A” for
active. Note: this is necessary before moving on and defining the network.
Step 22.
Use the Quick Create Network button in Drainage System to define the network data and the name
of the survey chain that forms the basis of the network. The name of the survey chain (SVA38) can
either be entered using the keyboard or snapped from the DTM by using the Snap button.
Page 28
Step 23.
The Node and Link tabs are used to define the data for the manholes and links in the network. The
nodes will be 1 meter below the ground elevation at each survey point. This invert elevation is
defined by using the Invert Lev box.
Step 24.
The Link tab defines the shape of all of the links in the network. A minimum grade of 0.3 percent is
the default. Click on the Define Geometry button to define the shape and diameter of the conduit.
Page 29
0.5
Step 25.
Each link is a circular conduit with a diameter of 0.5 meters. Click OK in Link Geometry and Quick
Create Network to go back to the Drainage System dialog.
Step 26.
The node and link data are now defined. Click on the Node Tab to see the node data. We will now
define a subcatchment at node SVA321 and a free outfall at node SVA367. The nodes are generally
ordered from upstream to downstream automatically by Visual Hydro.
Page 30
The default return period is 2 years but we will

modify this to 1 year for this simulation.
Step 27.
Click on the Subcatchment Properties button and define the watershed characteristics in
Subcatchment Properties. We will use the Rational Method, a return period of 1 year, an Impervious
C of 0.9 for this watershed. We won’t use partial hydrology for this example. The partial hydrology
button finds the accumulative time of concentration and corresponding equivalent area which produces
the maximum peak flow at a node. In some cases a part of the watershed will produce a larger peak
flow than the total area. This only is applicable if more than one subcatchment is in the watershed.
Step 28.
Enter the physical data for the watershed in the Subcatchment Properties table: an area of 1 hectare,
and impervious area of 0.1 hectares, a pervious area runoff coefficient of 0.5, and a time of
concentration of 15 minutes. Note: the program in version 2 of Visual Hydro will calculate the time
of concentration.
Page 31
Step 29.
Load the IDF table using the File command. The file idf.tbl should be in the caice\vhydro
subdirectory. You can modify this table or create your own table (see section 3.13 for more
information).
Step 30.
Click on the OK button to save the watershed data to the Access database. The generated triangular
hydrograph will be exported to the Visual SWMM module as a user defined time series in the
hydraulics layer.
Page 32
Step 31.
Define node SVA367 as a free outfall by clicking on the Outfall Type button. To define this node as
a free outfall in Outfall Type, check the check box, and then click on the Update button to save the
data to the Access database for the network. If you do not do all three of these commands then you
will get a warning message in Visual SWMM concerning an undefined boundary condition. Note:
each network created in Visual Hydro will have its own sub directory and Access database.
Outfalls are either free outfalls, which use the minimum of either the normal depth or the critical depth
at the outfall, or a fixed backwater elevation. Other outfall types such as tidal boundary condition,
stage history, and rating curve are available in the Visual SWMM module.
Page 33
Step 32.
The Link tab shows the data for each link. The individual link data can be seen in this dialog or by
using the Spreadsheet Editor button all of the link data together can seen on one screen.
If the Spreadsheet Editor is used then all of the Access data can be viewed in one table by selecting
one of the view forms (The Main Switchboard dialog).
Page 34
Step 33.
The Link data in the conduit grid spreadsheet after the conduit grid option is
selected. This data can be copies to any spreadsheet for other processing.
Step 34.
The Run Tab selects the analysis options for the Visual SWMM module and the graphical
presentation options in Drainage System. We will use the Design all pipes option and will plot the
HGL on the conduit profile after the simulation is done. The Show background option shows the
CAiCE background inside Visual SWMM. Note: Be careful to make sure that you are only looking at
one DTM view at a time. Use the command View=>Undo/Redo Graphics to eliminate the extra
views of the DTM. Otherwise, the multiple views of the DTM will come in as layers in the CDG
background file. Click on the Run Design/Analysis button to call the Visual SWMM module.
Page 35
1.7.5 Visual SWMM Analysis

Fit Window icon.
Windows in icon. Use this icon to zoom in on a

section of the window.
Step 35.
The Visual SWMM window opens up after using the Run Design/Analysis command in Visual
Hydro. Use the Fit Window icon to fit the network to the Visual SWMM window and then the
Windows In icon to zoom on the right arm of the DTM where the network is shown.
Page 36
Step 36.
Only the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM should be solved because the rational method triangular
hydrograph was imported as a user defined hydrograph at node SVA321. Use the command
Tools=>Mode Properties and only select the hydraulics layer as the solve mode.
Step 37.
Double click on the node SVA321 and use the buttons User Inflow in Node Data: Node SVA321 and
Graph in User Inflow Hydrograph: Node SVA321. This is the triangular unit hydrograph generated
by Visual Hydro that is used to drive the hydraulics of Visual SWMM.
Note: This is
shown
Note: Thiswithout
is shownthewithout the
grid.grid.
Click on Close, OK, OK to
return to the network.
Page 37
Step 38.
Solve the model using the launch icon. Save the output file when prompted by the interface as shown
above. The output file will be in a sub directory with the same name as the network name in Visual
Hydro. Note: If you get a warning message about no outfall it will be because you did not use the
Update button when the outfall was defined in Visual Hydro.
The solve icon launches your Visual SWMM analysis.

Click with the mouse on the icon to launch.
Step 39.
The model has now been solved. Use the mouse and draw a box around the whole network. This is a
necessary preliminary to using the long section profile replay and the time series graphing in review
results. The whole network should turn a magenta color when it is activated.
Note: This background graphic

can be hidden using the
toolbars in Visual SWMM.
Page 38
Long section replay of the HGL profile.
Step 40.
Use the long section replay icon to plot the HGL over time. Click OK in Plot Data.
Step 41.
Prepare to plot the HGL replay by minimizing the upper grey window (grab the toolbar and move it
upwards) and then use the fit window icon. This is done for greater visibility.
Page 39
Step 42.
Long section replay. Use the CD-ROM controls at the top to control the replay of the hydraulic
grade line (HGL). The replay shows the designed pipe sizes that have been resized from 0.5 to 0.875
meters to handle the peak inflow through the system. Close the window when you are done by using
the close window icon.
Step 43.
Double click with the mouse left button on the conduit link1 after returning to the Visual SWMM
interface. This link is a circular conduit in the Conduit Data: Link LINK1 dialog. Now use the
Conduit Profile button at the lower right side of the dialog to see the new pipe diameter.
Page 40
Step 44.
The new diameter is 0.875. The diameter was sufficient to handle the inflow without surcharging.
However, the new diameter would not go above 1 meter because a higher value would have placed the
pipe above the ground elevation of the node. The pipes are increased by 75 millimeters at each time
step the conduit is surcharged until the diameter is either sufficient to handle the flow or the pipe
crown is at the ground surface of the node.
Notepad icon used for reviewing the output file.
Step 45.
Check the quality of your simulation by using the notepad icon and browsing the output file, in this
case one.out. Table E22 in the output file summarizes the output information in a concise format. In
this case the simulation had a “good” continuity error and an “excellent” efficiency.
Table 3. Section of the output file one.out
###################################################
# Table E22. Numerical Model judgement section #
###################################################
Your overall error was -2.8961 percent

Worst nodal error was in node SVA351 with 2.3030 percent
Of the total inflow this loss was 4.7266 percent
Your overall continuity error was Good
Excellent Efficiency
Efficiency of the simulation 1.67
Most Number of Non Convergences at one Node 0.
Total Number Non Convergences at all Nodes 0.
Total Number of Nodes with Non Convergences 0.
Page 41
Step 46.
Exit the Visual SWMM module by clicking on the close window icon. Note: The close window icon
is the check box in the upper right hand side of any windows program. Save the database if prompted
by the program to save any changes you have made to the imported data in Visual SWMM. Under the
Run Tab of Visual Hydro use the Update Node/Link button to transfer the results from Visual
SWMM to Visual Hydro. This is optional since you might not want to update the design results from
Visual SWMM every time. The results if updated will include the new design diameter and the
predicted HGL and EGL among many other variables. After updating the data you should wait until
the message Node and link update completed is shown on Results Status.
Step 47.
The Spreadsheet Editor button will show you the simulation results in spreadsheet
form if you use the Node Extran Result Grid option. You can copy these results
to a spreadsheet using ctrl-c.
Page 42
1.7.6 Network Profile

Step 48.
In the CAiCE interface use the wireframe icon to show the DTM without the shading. Hint: It might
be a good idea to change the default color first. Next use the button Draw to draw the network in a 2
dimensional view. Note: Do not select the ground for viewing. The ground can be viewed only if there
is an active alignment, i.e. a geometry chain. You should see three nodes and two links embedded in
the wireframe DTM.
Step 49.
The next step involves preparing CAiCE for the drawing of the network profile. A profile is based on
an alignment or geometry chain. We will use the command Geometry=>Geometry Chains=>Copy
from Survey Chains to copy chain SVA38 to geometry chain SVA38.
This step involves three actions: (1) entering the survey chain name or snapping to the survey chain,
(2) storing the geometry chain information, and (3) closing the dialog box. These actions are shown
on the next page.
Page 43
Step 50.
Use the command View=>Geometry Chains or the view Geometry chains icon. Select just the chain
SVA38 for viewing by using the question mark button on the Object(s) row and then click on OK with
the mouse.
Page 44
Step 51.
Use the command Settings=>Sheet Formats=>Profile to define the profile grid that will be used later
with the Draw Profile button in Visual Hydro. Note: the grid is not drawn if the Draw button is not
clicked but the conduit profile can still be
The active alignment is the geometry chain SVA38 which we just copied. The origin should be below
the already drawn network. Just use the mouse and digitize a point. Use the button From Terrain
Profile to populate the minimum and maximum elevation data boxes. Finally click on the OK button
to close the Profile Sheet Format Settings dialog.
Step 52.
Now in Visual Hydro click on the Draw Profile button in Drainage System to draw the profile of our
network.
Page 45
Step 53.
To make the profile easier to see use the command Edit=>Undo/Redo Graphics=>Undo to clear the
survey chains and the DTM from the screen. You can also use the right mouse button to access the
Undo/Redo Graphics dialog.
Next, fit the window using the fit window icon and you should see the profile and the drainage
network.
Page 46
Step 54.
Use the button Draw/Generate Report to plot the peak HGL values on the profile. The default text
size is usually too big for this profile. A text size of 2 will look better. The text size is defined using
the command Settings=>Global Options=>Text.
Page 47
Step 55.
The finished product after using the fit window icon. This profile shows the peak HGL at each node.
The preceding example described a fifty-five-step process used to create a network and analyze the
network in Visual Hydro. Seven steps were used to create the project name and import the survey
chain data from a SRV file. Three steps were used to view the survey chains. Seven steps were used
to create a DTM, assign the survey chains to the DTM, perform the triangulation, and view the results
using the Data Tips option. Seventeen steps were used in the Visual Hydro command to create the
network from a survey chain and prepare the watershed and outfall data. Ten steps were used to run
the analysis in Visual SWMM, look at the long section profile and check the output file. Two steps
were sufficient to update the Access database with the Visual SWMM results. Creating a geometry
chain for the profile alignment took three steps. One step was required to define the origin and the
limits of the profile. Five steps were used to draw and size the text in Visual Hydro.
Note: It was not necessary for the creation of a Visual Hydro network to view the survey chains and
create the DTM. You could have created the network just from the survey chain name. The viewing
of the survey chains and the creation of the DTM aid in the visualization process.
The remainder of this chapter focuses in more detail the steps that you just took to make a small but
complete network in Visual Hydro. Sections 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10 also address the steps used in creating a
Visual Hydro project from scratch.
Page 48
1.8 Using Visual Hydro in CAiCE – BV User

The Hydro/Visual Hydrology command can be used to create a drainage network, which, later can be
used for importing into Visual SWMM or for an inlet spread analysis. This section is ideal for an
existing user of CAiCE who is unfamiliar with the Visual Hydro command in CAiCE (Beginning
Visual Hydro).
To create a network in Visual Hydro :
• Start CAiCE
• Load/Create a project,
• Create/Load/make active a DTM surface. This will ensure computation of elevations at any
location if a geometry chain is used to create the drainage network.
• Go to the Hydro=>Visual Hydrology menu. This will bring up a dialog box with four tabs. The
first tab is the “Drainage and Network System”. All the existing network names will show up in
the left edit area. The letter “A” or “P” indicates the status of that network as “Active” or
“Passive”. Data from the “Active” network will be loaded in the next pages of the dialog box. To
change the active network, click on the name of the network you wish to work with. The letter will
change to “A”. More information about each network can be obtained by expanding the network
item. Typically, number of nodes or drainage inlets and the number of links in that network will
be shown. To edit this network, switch to other tabs (such as node and link) and
change/add/delete relevant items.
To create a New Network :
• On the Network tab page, enter the name of the new network. This name must be less than 10
characters. The name of the network does not have to end in a number. The node and link names
should begin with a letter and end in a number (e.g. node1, link1, link2. This convention is used
to automate the node and pipe numbering. If you have hundreds of nodes and pipes, the software
can use predefined specified prefixes for node and link names and increment the last number
automatically every time a new node or a new link is created. After you have entered the name of
the network click on the Create button. The new network name should appear in the existing
network database.
An automated method to create the nodes and links of a network is to specify an alignment (or a
geometry line) and create nodes and links at a constant offset at regular intervals. Using this method,
entire rows of drainage inlets and pipes can be created simply. To make more complex networks, you
can create the network part by part, specifying offsets and spacing from different geometry chains.
You will need to connect these different parts by manually adding one link between them. A second
automated method allows survey chains to be used in the creation of the node and links of the
network. The nodes will be located at the survey points of the survey chain.
Note: The offset value of the line or chain could be:
• negative (to create a row on the left side of the chain), or
• zero, or
• positive (to create a row on the right side of the chain)
The formal steps involved in creating a “Quick” network are:
• Make sure that the network you want to edit is active,
Page 49
• Click on the Quick Create Network button. In the dialog box, enter or snap the geometry
chain/alignment or survey chain you want use as the baseline. The Station Range Begin and
End buttons are only used for geometry chains. Enter the node name prefix and the link name
prefix. Enter the default pipe diameter (this could be your minimum required diameter). Clicking
OK creates a new row of nodes linked together or click on Cancel to go back to the network page.
• To draw the network on the screen, click on the Draw button. To see the network in profile, first
go to the View=>Profiles=>Profile Grid. Once you see a grid, go to the Network tab and click
on the Draw Profile button. (First clicking on the Draw Profile and later going to
View=>Profiles=>Profile Grid also works). You can use View=>Profiles=>Design Profile to
plot the profile of other alignments (such as the base alignment). Note: for geometry
chains/alignments, you will need to create the vertical profile yourself, if it doesn’t exist.
Editing of individual node data or pipe data is done in the Node tab or Link tab respectively. You can
edit any individual node or link here. Clicking or typing in any existing node name shows the data
associated with it that can be altered. Make sure to click on “Update”, otherwise the changes will not
be saved to the Access database. To add a new node, enter a new node name (this should be no larger
than 10 characters total, and should end in a number - the numbers need not be in sequence). You can
digitize the location and the elevation of this node off the DTM. Use the Store button to store this
data and create this new node. Only terminating nodes can be checked as the “Outfall”. It will not
matter for the visualization or for water-spread analysis. The Snap button can snap only the existing
survey points. You can also enter the position manually and the Z elevation will be found from the
DTM.
• To edit pipe (link) data, go to “Link” tab page. While creating new links, if no data is entered in
the invert levels, the values will default to the node invert levels. If any numbers exist in those
fields, they will be used instead of the default values. If you are creating/editing a new/existing
link, and if you plan to use existing nodes, make sure that the values of invert levels are entered
correctly. If some numbers already exist in those edit boxes and if you don’t change them, they
will be used. So change them if you manually create a new link. If you blank them out, the node-
invert levels will be used for pipe invert levels (the problem here might be that it will not raise the
pipe invert by the “distance of pipe invert above node invert level. No problem for visualization.
These edit boxes will remain blank (if you blank them out), but the default values are considered
inside the program. Again, make sure to “Store” or “update” the link data as the case might be.
The appropriate option will be the only button available, the other option will be grayed out and
inaccessible.
• You can save the active network data into survey (.srv) file to get a quantities report from CAiCE.
Geometry Lines Nodes are made at even intervals selected by the user
of the module.
Table 1. Two types of data used in the creation of the Visual Hydro network nodes and links.
Survey Chains Nodes are made at the survey points in the survey
chain.
Page 50
1.9 Using Visual Hydro in CAiCE – BCV User

The command Hydro=>Visual Hydrology displays the drainage system dialog box. This is an
extremely versatile utility that handles all of the applications listed in the preceding section. The
purpose of this dialog is to define the drainage network with its associated hydrology and hydraulic
data. This section is more suited for a beginner to CAiCE such as an XP-SWMM or Visual
SWMM user.
Using this command you can define multiple networks, create a single network from a geometry chain
on the DTM and/or survey chain by snapping on the geometry or survey chain. This is done using the
Quick Create Network command. Alternatively, you can import XPX data from Visual SWMM
using the Create from Visual SWMM Database command.
Visual Hydro will then use the DTM information to calculate the node invert and ground elevations,
the conduit length, and the conduit offsets from the node inverts. After running Visual SWMM you
use the Drainage System dialog box to draw the 3D profile plot of the maximum water surface
elevation or energy grade line. Draw shows a 3D view of the pipes and nodes based on the pipe and
node data. Draw Outline shows you which survey chain or geometry chain is associated with the
network. It is a line sketch of the network. Draw Profile shows the network in profile if you have
used the command View=>Profles=>Profile Grid or the command Settings=>Sheet
format=>Profile.
Important: Only a geometry chain can be used to define the profile for Profile or Draw/Generate
options. If you do not have a geometry chain available the Profile will not appear, only the grid will
be seen. You need to use the commands Geometry=>Geometry Chains=>Copy from Survey
Chain and Settings=>Sheet Formats=>Profile to define the alignment and vertical resolution of the
profile.
51
The key elements in the Profile Sheet Format Settings are the Active Alignment (a geometry chain)
and the minimum and maximum elevation. The placement of the profile near the DTM or drainage
network is accomplished using the Snap or Digitize commands to define the Origin. Improper data
for this sheet will make it difficult to view the profile.
Another key item is the text size on the Profile. Use the command Settings=>Global Options=>Text
to define the text size. A text height of 2 or 3 is usually a good size for viewing.
52
Left – a 3D view of the drainage

network using the Draw button.
Bottom – a profile of the drainage

network using the Draw Profile and
Draw/Generate Report buttons.
Zoom in on the drawn profile to see the max HGL, max EGL, pipe profile, invert and ground
elevations for each node. The colors, line weight, and line style can be modified for each plotting
profile by using the combo boxes at the top of the CAiCE interface. For example, in this case the
HGL was plotted first, secondly the line style and color was changed, and thirdly the EGL was plotted
last using the button Draw/Generate Report. Note: the arrow keys can be used to move the network
around the screen.
53
1.10 Summary Workflow for Visual Hydro

This section describes the typical uses of Visual Hydro and how to implement them in the interface in
more detail than sections 1.08 and 1.09. The first step is to load, open and activate an existing CAiCE
project or create a new CAiCE project. Note: This section is intended for the more proficient user of
the CAiCE interface.
For Inlet Analysis
• Select Run Spread Analysis from the Run tab of the Drainage System dialog.
• Populate the table by loading from an existing network and/or manually entering and/or loading
the data from a CSV file.
• Select the appropriate Return Period and or Rainfall IDF File for the particular location being
modeled.
• Define the Active Geometry by selecting Horizontal Alignment and Vertical Profile if
available to be used for the longitudinal slope and cross slope for each inlet.
• Enter the other required data from left to right and top to bottom while intermediately executing
the compute button to solve intermediate results.
• Print or Export the results.
For Open Channel Hydraulics Analysis Using HEC2 or HEC-RAS
• View geometry chains representing the river and floodway left and right overbanks.
• Ensure that the overbank geometry chains have a unique entry in the feature table.
• Have a ground DTM active.
• Store cross section scanlines at fixed intervals for the entire river section wide enough to include
enough floodway and left and right overbank survey chains.
• Add additional scanlines if necessary to ensure adequate discretization of the river or open
channel.
• Store cross sections from the scanlines and DTM (DTM for the riverbed and floodplain ground
surface).
• Using an Export Translator, export the cross sections to HEC2 or HEC-RAS and add any
additional data at that time such as roughness values.
For Storm Water Network Modeling
• Create and/or import survey chains that represent the drainage network. Note that each survey
point will become a node in the model and each line segment in the chain will become a conduit.
Positive flow is defined for US to DS and is oriented to match the survey chain top to bottom.
• Use the command Hydro=>Visual Hydrology.
• Create or activate a network.
• Use quick create network to convert survey or geometry chains to networks and set default
settings.
• Digitize any additional nodes or links not created with quick create network
54
• Adjust any geometric data created by quick create network such as adjusting the invert of nodes
or pipes. Note: be sure to select update when changes have been made.
• Add subcatchment data (rainfall, infiltration data, routing method etc.) to nodes for the generation
of hydrographs. Drainage areas may be selected by selecting a closed chain for the subcatchment
boundary.
• Enter the outfall and storage data to any appropriate nodes in the network.
• View the network in 2D and 3D to inspect its completeness and reasonableness.
• Select the Run Tab and optionally select design all pipes and show background.
• In the Visual SWMM module select job control run times and time steps suitable for the modeling
at hand.
• Add any diversions such as pumps weirs orifices and their data in the Visual SWMM Module
• Select Special=>Solve or click on the launch icon to solve the analysis.
• Use some of the report generation and graphical query tools to visualize the results. Especially
Review Results and Long Section.
• Adjust the parameters and resolve the Visual SWMM module as necessary to optimize the
simulation or design.
• Use the commands File=>Save and File=>Exit in the Visual SWMM module. Save the database
if you wish to keep added diversions or other data not accessible in the CAiCE Visual Hydro
Manager.
• On the return to CAiCE choose Update Node and Link to store results from the modeling
including new pipe sizes if designed or modified, HGL, EGL, max or final flow or velocities,
flooded volume out of a node and total outfall flow.
• Clear the network drawn graphics and review the network in 2D and 3D to inspect its new pipe
geometry and inspect the reasonableness.
• Display the profile grid (optional).
• Draw the profile of the network.
• From the Run Tab Page choose draw to draw the results in profile HGL, EGL, Flooded Volume,
Total Outfall Flow and Max Q & V or Final Q & V.
• Format reports and Plans.
• Output Graphics to printer plotter or AutoCAD or Microstation.
For Wastewater Network Modeling
• Create and/or import survey chains that represent the drainage network. Note that each survey
point will become a node in the model and each line segment in the chain will become a conduit.
Positive flow is defined for US to DS and is oriented to match the survey chain top to bottom.
• Use the command Hydro=>Visual Hydrology to start Visual Hydro.
• Create or activate a network in Visual Hydro.
• Use quick create network to convert survey or geometry chains to networks and set default
55
settings
• Digitize any additional nodes or links not created with Quick Create Network.
• Adjust any geometric data created by Quick Create Network such as adjusting the invert of
nodes or pipes. Note: be sure to select update when changes have been made.
• Add subcatchment data (rainfall, infiltration data, routing method etc.) to nodes for the generation
of hydrographs. Drainage areas may be selected by selecting a closed chain for the subcatchment
boundary.
• Enter outfall and storage data to any appropriate nodes in the network.
• View the network in 2D and 3D to inspect its completeness and reasonableness.
• Select the Run Tab and optionally select design all pipes and show background.
• In the Visual SWMM module select job control run times and time steps suitable for the
modeling at hand.
• Add diversions such as pumps, weirs, orifices and their data in the Visual SWMM Module.
• Sealed manholes should be nominated at force mains.
• Enter the Sanitary Layer to configure DWF and Sewer Infiltration.
• Add nodes to the Sanitary layer of Visual SWMM.
• Select Tools=>Interface Files and enter the interface file name for the sanitary layer.
• Select all three modes for Solve from Tools=>Mode Properties or only Sanitary and
Hydraulics if no Runoff layer hydrology is being calculated.
• Select Special=>Solve or click on the launch icon to solve the analysis.
• Use some of the report generation and graphical query tools to visualize the results. Especially
Review Results and Long Section for reviewing the time series graphs and HGL, respectively.
• Adjust the Job Control Parameters and resolve the Visual SWMM module as necessary to
optimize the simulation or design.
• Save and Exit the Visual SWMM module. Save the database if you wish to keep added
diversions or other data not accessible in the CAiCE Visual Hydro Manager.
• On return to CAiCE choose Update Node and Link to store results from the modeling including
new pipe sizes if designed or modified, HGL, EGL, max or final flow or velocities, flooded
volume out of a node and total outfall flow.
• Clear the network drawn graphics and review the network in 2D and 3D to inspect its new pipe
geometry and inspect the reasonableness.
• Display the profile grid (optional).
• Draw the Profile of the network.
• From the Run Tab Page choose Draw to Draw the results in profile HGL, EGL, Flooded Volume
Total Outfall Flow and Max Q & V or Final Q & V.
• Format Reports and Plans.
• Output Graphics to printer plotter or AutoCAD or Microstation.
56
For Inlet Analysis and Storm Water Analysis
First Method
• To analyze the Pipe Network Results from the Inlet Analysis Results copy and paste the flow
results to the Constant Inflows Section for the corresponding Nodes in Visual Hydrology.
Or
• Export the data to a CSV file and import the flows through a XPX file to the Visual SWMM
Module.
• Several iterations may be necessary with this method if an analysis of the hydraulic network
shows the HGL at the ground elevation. Create a new inlet to carry the overflows and the inlet
capture adjusted.
Second Method
• The Visual SWMM module will perform inlet analysis within its module as constant inlet
restriction, rating curve or HEC12. In this case the data is entered at the node in CAiCE or the
Visual SWMM module. Pipe hydraulic capacity will automatically affect inlet restriction and
cause carry over flows.
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58
CAiCE Visual Hydro Visual Hydro Tools
Chapter 2
Visual Hydro Tools
2.1 Introduction
Visual Hydro Tools describes tools or linked commands in Visual Hydro and its Visual SWMM
module that may be used in any one Visual Hydro simulation. Use this chapter as a reference for
common tasks that you may need to perform in the course of setting up your Visual Hydro network.
2.2 Importing the .SRV Data and Creating a Project

A Project is an organization of all the files associated with a surveying and/or design project. When a
CAiCE project is created, CAiCE creates a subdirectory specifically for that project; the name of the
subdirectory is the same as the project name. All of the project files will either reside in that directory
or in subdirectories beneath it.
The data used in this example is located in the CAiCE SRV file named 621450b.srv. This data will be
in the sub directory caice\vhydro\samples. The name of your file is entered into CAiCE by using the
command File=>Project Manager=>Create and creating the project named “MYTOOLS”, where
MYTOOLS is any name less than 10 characters. The units in this project are metric. The SRV file
name is entered using the command File=>Project Manager=>Load CAiCE SRV. After you have
loaded the .SRV file Activate the Project and Close the Project Manager dialog. Next the DTM
may be created from the survey chains and points in the .SRV file. Note: there are many other ways
to import data into CAiCE.
Page 59
2.3 Viewing the Survey Chains and Points

Use the command View=>Survey Chains=>All or the equivalent icon to show the survey chains that
were in the .SRV file. The Points in the .SRV are shown after you use the command
View=>Points=>All. These survey chains and points will form the basis of the data used to construct
the DTM. Note: The command Settings=>Global Options=>Data Tips will activate the onscreen
data tips which will give you valuable information on the survey chain and data points in a DTM as
shown below. In later CAiCE sessions the command Windows=>Data Tips will reactivate the data
tips.
The survey chains form the basis of our hydraulic network when we use the Hydro=>Visual
Hydrology command. The survey chains are either used directly or as an active geometry chain
alignment that was copied from the survey chain using the command Geometry=>Geometry
Chains=>Copy from Survey Chain.
Page 60
2.4 Defining the DTM

If you want to use a DTM in
conjunction with your Visual
Hydro network then the next step
is to define the name of the DTM
surface using the command
DTM=>DTM Database
Manager.
Enter the name “MYDTM”,

where “MYDTM” is any name
less than 10 characters, in the
upper leftmost field. Next, use
the commands Create and OK to
close the DTM Database
Manager dialog. The max
triangle distance in DTM
Database Manager is only
modified if the triangles
generated in the step of creating
the DTM surface do not cover
the whole DTM surface. In this
example, later you will have to
increase the maximum triangle
distance to 900 to cover the
whole DTM.
Note: later, if necessary you can

use the feature code OBSC,
which is used to tag triangles
within a DTM as being part of
obscured areas. Giving a triangle
this feature code effectively
deletes that triangle from the
model.
Once the DTM name is defined

and created you should use the
command DTM=>Load DTM
Database=>From Survey
Points and Chains to load the
data from the project into the
DTM database named
“MYDTM”. Click OK in the
DTM Data Load dialog to load
the data.
Page 61
2.4.1 Triangulation and Shading of the DTM
Now that the DTM data has been loaded the DTM can be constructed by using triangulation or the
building of triangles. Hint: If you change the default color the DTM will be seen in a different color
than the points and survey chains. Triangulation is performed using the command DTM=>Build
Triangles to begin the triangulation and by clicking OK in the dialog Compute Triangles.
Triangulation is done once a white line is drawn around the outer boundary of the DTM.
The completed surface can be seen either by using the icons for wireframe surface or shaded surface
or the commands View=>View Controls=>Display Shaded Surfaces or View=>View
Controls=>Display Wireframe Surfaces. If the completed surface has holes then the Max. Triangle
Distance and Max. Triangle Angle can be adjusted and the triangulation redone to fill in the holes.
Triangles outside of the proper area can be obscured using the feature code OBSC.
Now the surface can be viewed by using either the icons for show DTM surface, fit window, 2D, and
surface shading. This completed surface should look like the surface shown here. Since we have
previously used the command View=>Survey Chains then the survey chains that form the basis of the
DTM will be shown on the screen .
This shaded surface of the

DTM has holes over the
surface. We need to change
the maximum triangle
distance to 100 and redo
the triangulation.
Page 62
The maximum triangle distance should

be increased to 900 meters in the
dialog DTM Database Manger which
is accessed using the command
DTM=>DTM Database Manager.
The button Update should be clicked

on in this dialog after 900 meters has
been entered. Next use the command
DTM=>Build Triangles=>OK to
start the process of triangulation again.
Created DTM as
a shaded surface.
Page 63
2.5 Defining or Creating the Drainage Network

The drainage network is defined by using the command Hydro=>Visual Hydrology. Enter the
Network Name and then use the Create button in the Drainage System dialog. The drainage network
information is obtained from a geometry or survey chain. SNAP on a chain after clicking on QUICK
CREATE NETWORK and the node names and conduit names will be automatically generated by the
program. In this dialog box you can define multiple networks or create a single network by snapping
on either one or many geometry or survey chain(s) in sequence. You will need to supply additional
information to define the depth to the node invert and the conduit offsets in the Quick Create Network
dialog. Alternatively, if you import XPX data from Visual SWMM using the Create from Visual
SWMM Database button then you would not have to use any chain information to define the
network.
Make a network called ”MYNET”, describe the network (optional), comment on the network
(optional) and then click on Create to create the network name and make an Access database with the
same name. Click on the “P” to activate the network. The activated network should have an “A”
next to the network name.
Draw Outline shows you the survey chain or geometry chain associated with the network. It is a line
sketch of the network showing the nodes and links. Draw Profile shows the network in profile if you
have previously used the command Settings=>Sheet Format=>Profile to define the profile.
Page 64
Other commands in Drainage System are:
Description – description of the network (many lines). Press return to make more lines.
Comment – a comment about the network (many lines). Press return to make more lines.
Feature – feature code for this network (a number between 0 and 99).
Zone – the layer of the network.
Update – this will update the database for changes to the description or comment fields.
There are three critical choices a user has when she or he is creating a Visual Hydro network.
1. Survey versus Geometry chain.
2. Nodes at survey points or nodes at even intervals of the survey chain. Survey chain only.
Geometry chains have nodes at even intervals.
3. Use the DTM for the ground elevation or use the survey point for the ground elevation. Survey
chain only. Networks created from geometry chains need to obtain the ground elevation data
from the DTM.
These imply three different input configurations for networks created from survey chains versus
networks created from geometry chains:
1. Networks created from survey chains will have a node at every point of the survey chain if the
checkbox for Survey Points Only is checked on. The node name will be the name of the survey
chain point. You do not need a DTM for the ground elevations if you are using a survey chain.
2. Networks created from geometry chains will have a node at user defined intervals along the chain.
The node name will be based on a user defined prefix. You will need a DTM for the program to
automatically generate ground elevations for each node.
3. Networks created from survey chains will have a node at user defined intervals along the chain if
the checkbox for Survey Points Only is checked off. The node name will be based on a user
defined prefix. You will need a DTM for the program to automatically generate ground
elevations for each node.
In the remainder of section 2.5 we will:
(1) Create a network from a survey chain at the survey chain points (section 2.5.1),
(2) Create a network from a survey chain at even intervals using the DTM (section 2.5.2), and
(3) Create a network from a geometry chain copied from the survey chain (section 2.5.3).
Page 65
2.5.1 Quick Create the Network from a Survey Chain
Now we will Quick Create the

Network by using the Quick
Create Network button. Snap
the survey chain or enter the
name of the survey chain and
Accept the survey chain data.
In this example we are going to
enter the name DMB465.
The node names and link names

have been automatically
generated by Visual Hydro at
each survey point if Survey
Point Only is checked on in
Quick Create Network. Further
information for the Nodes and Links must be entered in the Node and Link tabs of Quick Create
Network.
2.5.1.1 Setting the Node Data in Visual Hydro

The invert of the node and the geometry of the node (for CAiCE visual representation only) should be
defined under the Node tab in the Quick Create Network dialog box. In this model the minimum
depth from the ground elevation to the invert elevation is 2 meters. The shape of the node is defined
in Define Geometry. Currently two shapes are supported for nodes: Circular and Rectangular.
Page 66
2.5.1.2 Setting the Conduit Data in Visual Hydro

The conduit data is defined after clicking on the Link tab. Here the minimum grade, pipe offset
above the node invert and the Mannings’ roughness are entered. This data is applied to each link
created. Later, you can use the spreadsheet editor to modify the data. You can change the name of the
prefix (default name is LINK) or the name of the feature code in this dialog. The pipe diameter (0.5
meters) and type (circular) are entered in the Define Geometry button in the Link Geometry dialog.
Note: all the examples in this guide and manual are in metric units.
The minimum grade for making the pipes can be either negative, zero or positive. Sometimes the
ground elevation and the survey chain are going in the opposite directions. If this is the case and the
minimum grade is positive the pipe inverts and the ground will be in opposite modes: the invert
elevation will decrease and the ground elevation will increase. If the minimum grade is negative then
the pipe inverts and the ground elevations will be in the same mode: a decrease in pipe invert
elevations will be matched by a decrease in ground elevations.
After the data for the nodes and conduits have been entered close the Quick Create Network dialog
box by clicking on the OK button.
A network of 56 nodes and 55

conduits was created in the
network MYNET from the
survey points in survey chain
DMB465.
Page 67
The network created has 29 nodes and 28

conduits. Draw the network and use the
Set 3D view icon.
Use the command

Draw Profile to draw
the created profile.
Page 68
2.5.2 Quick Create the Network from a Survey Chain at

Even Intervals
Now we will Quick Create the

Network by using the Quick
Create Network button. Use
the Snap button on the survey
chain or enter the name of the
survey chain and Accept the
survey chain data. In this
example we are going to enter
the name DMB465.
The node names and link names

are not automatically generated
by Visual Hydro at each survey
point if Survey Point Only is
checked off in Quick Create
Network.
Create a new network named “MYNET1” for this example.
Use the button Quick Create Network and do not select Survey Point Only in Quick Create
Network. The same survey chain DMB567 is used in this Hydro network.
Page 69
The same minimum depth to the node invert of 1 meter will be used in all three of these examples.
This network will have nodes spaced 100 meters apart instead of at each of the survey points. The
conduit information is the same as in section 2.5.1.
The created network has 20 nodes and 19 links. The network can be drawn on the screen if you click
on the Draw button in Drainage System.
2.5.3 Quick Create the Network from a Geometry Chain

at Even Intervals
Use the command Geometry=>Geometry Chains=>Copy from Survey Chain to make the geometry
chain DMB567 from the survey chain DMB567. Create the Hydro network “MYNET2” for this
example, activate it, and then Quick Create the Network.
Select Alignment in Quick

Create Network and the
geometry chain DMB567. The
node and link information are
same as in sections 2.5.1 and
2.5.2.
This network will also have 20 nodes and 19 links since the network was created with nodes spaced at
100 meter intervals.
Page 70
2.5.4 Spreadsheet Editing of Node and Conduit Data
The button spreadsheet editor can be used to view the node and link data in a spreadsheet format. Use
the Node tab page and the button Spreadsheet Editor in Drainage System. The spreadsheet editor
can be accessed from either the Node, Link or Run tabs. The main switchboard dialog is the first
dialog you will see using the spreadsheet editor and it allows you to pick grid or record views.
You have the choice of viewing the data in a “Forms” view or in a spreadsheet or “grid” view. The
“gird” view for the nodes looks like the figure on the bottom of the next page. The spreadsheet editor
“grid” view allows you to look at all of the data in a node or link at one time. We will look at the
network in the Hydro network “MYNET2”. Activate the “MYNET2” network and then click on
either the node or link tab to click on the Spreadsheet Editor button.
The spreadsheet editor has many powerful features for the drainage and stormwater engineer. The
“gird” view can be copied or exported directly to Excel and other Windows applications. The data
can be manipulated in an external spreadsheet and pasted back into the spreadsheet editor. Formulas
and macros have to be written in an external spreadsheet but the Spreadsheet Editor acts a buffer
between the external spreadsheet and the Visual Hydro Access database.
The main switchboard of the spreadsheet editor in

which you pick which view of the node and link data
you want to view.
Page 71
The “grid” view of the nodes and links. The data in these views can be copied to the Windows
clipboard using Ctrl-C and then pasted into Excel for further manipulation. For example, changing
some of the roughnesses of the conduits by a multiplier can be done in Excel. The changed roughness’
can then be copied from Excel and pasted back into the spreadsheet editor.
“Forms” view of the conduit

data shows the conduit data and
the upstream and downstream
node. Note: all of the data
except the conduit length is
accessible in the Spreadsheet
Editor.
Page 72
2.5.5 Setting the Watershed Data in Visual Hydro

Now the node and link
names have been
created and the invert
levels, conduit lengths,
and ground elevations of
all of the points have
been calculated. We are
going to set the
watershed data for node
Node1, which is the
upstream node of the
network “MYNET2”.
All of the data we are
entering for the
watershed will be used
in the runoff or surface
flow generating layer of
Visual SWMM.
Select the button

Subcatchment
Properties for Node1.
Select the hydrology method SCS Hydrology and a Rainfall database of SCS Type II. This storm is
one of many storm hyetographs that can be selected using this combo box. Note: The Infiltration does
not have to be selected for the SCS method. The SCS method uses 4 pieces of information: the total
area, the impervious area (the percent impervious is calculated from the total area and the impervious
area), the curve number (values of 1.0 to 100.0) and the time of concentration in minutes. SCS Type
II is set up already for the amount of 10 mm/hr of rainfall. It will be explained in section 3.7 how to
modify this rainfall amount. Enter a total area of 4 hectares, an impervious area of 1 hectare, a CN of
80 and a time of concentration of 15 minutes in the dialog Subcatchment Properties [Node NODE1.
The program calculates the percent impervious area. Note: A curve number of 98 is assumed for the
impervious area.
Page 73
2.5.6 Defining Outfalls in Visual Hydro
Select node Node6 and define it

as an outfall by checking the
check box in front of Outfall
Type. There are two types of
outfalls: (1) Free Outfall, which
uses the minimum of y critical or
y normal as the outfall depth and
(2) Fixed, which uses a constant
tailwater condition at the outfall.
The outfall information is used in
the hydraulics layer of Visual
SWMM. After you have entered
this information click on the
button Update to update the
Visual Hydro database. If you
do not update this check box data
with the Update button the data
will not be saved to the Access
database. Note: You can also
use tidal boundary conditions, stage boundary conditions and rating curve outfalls in the Visual
SWMM module in addition to the free and fixed outfall data.
2.5.7 Defining Ponds in Visual Hydro

Select node Node1
again and define it as a
storage node by
checking the check box
in front of the Storage
button. Next click on
the Storage button and
enter a table of depth
Note: For Storage nodes you should first click on the depth box
(feet or meters) versus
and then use the insert key the same number of times you want
area (acres or hectares).
to insert rows. There are three rows of data initially in this
Enter the data shown to dialog. Tip: Later new rows can be added by appending with
the right for this storage the down arrow key.
node.
Page 74
The dialog box should look like this for node Node1 if you update the database using the Update
button. Note: remember you have to use the update button for outfall and storage data, otherwise the
check flag for the outfall and storage data will not be saved. The actual outfall and storage data is
automatically saved when you leave the data entry dialogs by selecting another node or tab.
2.5.8 Defining More than One Conduit between Two

Nodes in Visual Hydro
In many modeling situations more than one conduit is connecting two nodes. For example, a road
crossing and culvert. Currently, in Visual SWMM up to seven conduits can be defined between the
same 2 nodes. The extra conduit can be added in Visual Hydro by entering a link name in the Link
Name field, modifying the invert elevations and the geometry of the conduit (if needed), and clicking
on the Update button. Alternatively, the extra link can be added using the spreadsheet editor. Note:
If two or more conduits have the same geometry and upstream and downstream elevations then the No.
of Barrels field can be used to simulate the multiple barrels.
We will add another link between Node1 and Node2 in the Hydro network “MYNET2” by using the
spreadsheet editor. Go to the link tab and click on Spreadsheet Editor and Conduits Grid in the
Main Switchboard.
The new link is created by copying row 1 or the data for Link1 and pasting it at the end of the links.
Highlight the whole row and use either Ctrl-C or the command Edit=>Copy to copy all of the link
data. Rename the link name to link1a because a unique identifier must be created for each node and
link in Visual SWMM and Visual Hydro. Additionally, raise the upstream (US) invert level and the
downstream (DS) invert level of Link1a by 0.1 meter by editing the appropriate cell. The flow will be
automatically split between Link1 and Link1a based on the water surface elevation in surface pond
Node1. Tip: The asterisk row is always the row that should be highlighted when pasting new data.
Page 75
Copy row 1 and paste it at the location of the asterisk row. Change the name of the new link to
link1a and raise the US and DS invert elevations of link1a by 0.1 meters.
The new link1a is

only seen in the
Drainage System
dialog if Visual
Hydrology is
closed and then
reopened.
Page 76
2.6 Solving the Drainage Network in Visual Hydro

Use the Run tab to control the run time options for the analysis of your Visual Hydro network. The
option Design all pipes will increase the diameter of all conduits that surcharge during the previous
time step. The option Show Background will show the current CAiCE view in Visual SWMM. Post
Processing options are used for the plot profile. Update Node/Link will update the network database
with results and data changes obtained from Visual SWMM. [For example, any conduit changes or
node changes will be re-imported back into Visual Hydro]. This will need to be used before the button
Draw/Generate Report is clicked on with the mouse. The option Run Spread Analysis is described
in Chapter 5. It performs an inlet spread analysis to calculate the flow going into any one inlet of the
drainage system. Visual SWMM module is executed by using the Run Design/Analysis button.
Page 77
2.7 Visual SWMM Theory

Clicking on the button Run Design/Analysis exports the network Access data to the Visual SWMM
module for analysis and decision support. The Visual Hydro manager in CAiCE exports an ASCII
XPX file that the Visual SWMM module will read and prepare without the need for you to import the
XPX file. Typically, Visual SWMM will run the runoff and hydraulics layers using data generated in
Visual Hydro. The runoff layer generates the surface runoff hydrographs for the watersheds and the
hydraulics layer models the boundary conditions, backwater effects, unsteady flow simulation, bed
slope, friction loss and minor losses in the conduits. The hydraulic solution uses a time marching link-
node algorithm in which each node and its associated conduits are solved implicitly and iteratively
until the flows and heads are converged before moving to the next time step.
Inflows and boundary conditions occur at the nodes. A node continuity equation is solved at each time
step to predict the new water surface elevation in the node. The model calculates the flow in the
conduits based on the water surface elevation above the conduit invert at the upstream and
downstream nodes. The water surface above the upstream and downstream conduit inverts is used to
determine the hydraulic radius, cross sectional area, and top width at each end of the conduit. The
head difference, cross sectional area difference, and upstream and downstream hydraulic radius are
used to calculate the conduit flow during the current time step.
Page 78
N+1 Implicit versus

UP Q DN Explicit Extran
Solutions.
The Visual SWMM

Dynamic Wave
solution is implicit
because it uses both Qn
and Q n+1 to calculate
the new flow. The time
weighting parameter,
t θ, is used to control the
contribution from the
old time step and the
new time step in the
dynamic wave
solution. The new
flow and head are
estimated iteratively
until the head and flow
N
UP Q DN are converged. The
program then moves
on to the new time
step.
In contrast the EPA

solutions Explicit and
Enhanced Explicit are
∂H θ • ∑ Q + (1 − θ ) • ∑ Q
Explicit solutions.
n +1 n
=
∂t θ • ∑ An +1 + (1 − θ ) • ∑ An
As an example of the usage of the time weighting parameter we consider the Extran
Junction Continuity Equation:
where,
H = junction water surface elevation,

Q = junction inflows and outflows,
A = junction surface area,
n = last time step,
n+1 = new time step, and
θ = the time weighting parameter (this is found in the
Hydraulics layer Job Control).
Page 79
Best97 routing
algorithm.
Solve for the head
at one node at a
time.
Solve for the flows

in all conduits and
diversions
connected to the
node.
When all the flow iteration

differences are less than the
flow tolerance and the head
iteration differences are less
than the head tolerance go
to the next time step. If not
converged go back and
estimate the new flows and
head again.
Figure 6. Sequence of events in the link-node solution in the hydraulics layer of Visual
SWMM. This occurs at each time step of the simulation. The BEST97 is the default
solution.
Page 80
2.8 Solving the Drainage Network in Visual SWMM

The two layers used in the solution are selected using the command Tools=>Mode Properties. The
solve mode for layers are selected in this dialog. If you want to use only the hydraulics layer you
should select the hydraulics layer only and deselect the runoff layer. Note: The current mode is
always the layer being shown on the screen. Fit the window and change the time step in the
hydraulics layer from 60 seconds to 30 seconds using the command Special=>Job Control=>Time
Step.
Figure 10 shows the sequence of actions taken when Visual SWMM is solved: (1) The interface
makes a .DAT file that goes to the analysis engine, (2) the analysis engine performs the unsteady flow
simulation, (3) the analysis engine makes an output file and binary graphics files, (4) the binary
graphics files are used when the review results, long section plotting and plan section plotting
commands are used in the
Visual SWMM interface.
The linking of the interface
files are automatically
controlled by the Visual
SWMM interface.
Fit the window using the fit

window icon. The drawn
profile from Visual Hydro is
shown in the background.
Page 81
Visual
.OUT, .RES, SWMM
.SYF, .SYT, and .SYR file Graphical
Interface
.DAT File
Runoff layer
Interface file
Transport layer
in Visual SWMM Only
Interface file
Extran layer
Fortran Analysis Engine
Figure 10. The building blocks of the Visual SWMM interface and analysis engine.
Page 82
Start the simulation by clicking on the launch icon or using the command Special=>Solve. The
program will prompt you for an output file name. Click OK to save the output file. Later when the
simulation is complete the output file can be browsed using the noteboOK icon.
The solve icon launches your Visual SWMM analysis.
A key table to look for in the output file is

Table E22, which is a summary of the
continuity and model efficiency. The reason
you changed the time step to 30 seconds
earlier was to lower the continuity error below
1 percent. Generally, you should try to have
the overall continuity error less than 1 percent
and the worst node continuity error less than 5
percent.
###################################################
###################################################
Your overall error was 0.8933 percent

Worst nodal error was in node NODE1 with 1.4432 percent
Your overall continuity error was Excellent
Good Efficiency
The next sections discuss the graphical capabilities of Visual SWMM and how they apply to this
sample network, MYNET2. The next section discusses the meaning of the Table E22 summary.
Page 83
2.9 Output File Summary in Visual SWMM

In the output file from the Visual SWMM simulation the last table of the hydraulics layer judges the
goodness of the model output. You can find this table by using the notepad icon and searching for the
text “Table E22”. This table shows the overall continuity error, the worst continuity error at any
node, the efficiency of the simulation or the average number of iterations during the simulation, and
the number of non-convergences (ideally this should be zero).
This model is excellent because: (1) the continuity error is less than 1 percent, (2) the worst node
continuity error is 1.44 percent, (3) the efficiency is “good”, and (4) there were no instances of non-
convergences at a node. Figure 3 explains the meaning of the “underrelaxation parameter”, time
weighting parameter and maximum number of iterations found in the Routing Control dialog .
The routing control dialog is accessed using the command Special=>Job Control=>Routing
Control. It contains the variables that need to be adjusted if there is any non-convergence, continuity
error or an inefficient model. For example, the number of non-convergences can be controlled by the
Maximum Number of Iterations and the Courant Time Step Factor.
Routing control dialog used in

the adjustment of parameters.
Page 84
Figure 11. Numerical Summary Table in the output file of Visual SWMM. The efficiency of the
model is shown below. It is an indication of the optimality of the model simulation. The efficiency
of the simulation can be adjusted by lowering the time step, increasing the flow tolerance, adjusting
the time weighting parameter, adjusting the under-relaxation parameter and lowering the minimum
courant time step factor. See also Figure 12.
M odel
E fficiency
n + 1 st tim e ste p
H igh e fficie ncy

a ve ra ge n um b er of ite ra tio n s
g re ate r tha n 5 m e an s th a t the
m o d e l is usin g to o big of a tim e
ste p .
A lo w e fficie ncy
a ve ra ge n um b er of ite ra tio n s
a bo u t 1 m e a ns th a t th e
m o d e l is usin g to o sm a ll a tim e ste p .
n th tim e ste p
A n id e al efficie n cy w o u ld b e
b e 2 . T he ru n tim e o f th e m o d el;
m o d e l in sta b ilitie s; a n d c on tin u ity erro r w o u ld be m in im al.
Page 85
Figure 12. The influence of the

New time step - parameters omega and theta on the
solution.
n+1
All information is
unknown until
the iterative
process
converges.
Iterate until either Omega controls the

the flows and heads area converged or mix of old iteration and
the maximum new iteration values.
number of iterations is reached.
Theta controls
the mix of the nth
and the
Intermediate iteration step.
n+1st time step
values.
The first iteration

uses the old time step
value to begin.
Old time step - n

All flow, head, area, hydraulic radius, width
and roughness values are known.
Page 86
2.10 Visual SWMM Graphical and Report Files

Visual SWMM has a number of graphical and report generation features as shown in Figure3. These
features include:
1. Review Results - the display of time series such as measured and computed flow vs. time, stage
vs. time, and pollutant concentration/load vs. time for the entire network;
2. Plan Section - a dynamic plan view of the hydraulic network animating the flow, velocity and
HGL of the hydraulics network over the entire timeline of the simulation;
3. Long Section, a dynamic replay of the hydraulic grade line for a continuous series of conduits
showing corresponding flows, velocities and stages for the objects;
4. Spatial Reports, a set of annotation tools to show in plan view mixtures of results and data in
brackets or boxes that are tied to objects using a leader line; and
5. Graphical Encoding, an advanced querying capability allowing the user to modify the visual
attributes of the links and nodes based on a choice of several results or data.
The plan production and report generation capabilities specific to Visual Hydro include formatted
hardcopy output of all of the Decision Support Graphics mentioned above and the following features
which are mostly textual:
1. Profile Plots, two types of plots (with and without DTM and other objects) and varying levels of
other detailed information such as friction losses, max flows and velocities and pipe geometric
data.
2. User Defined Report Generation, allows customizable Tabular (DOT style) reports to be
generated that exports to text, CSV, spreadsheets and other databases.
3. External ASCII files for import to spreadsheets and databases.
4. Enhanced Simulation Output File, contains details of the simulation including an echo of input
data and tables summarizing the results and simulation details.
Page 87
Spatial
Reports - On
Screen
Report Results Graphical
Generation Encoding of
of Model Model
Results Results
XPX Tabular
Plan Section
Output
Plotting of Tabular
connection
Model Output File
to GIS &
Results
Spreadsheet
Long
Section .RES file for
Plotting of SQL
Hydraulic Review analysis
Grade Line Results or
Time Series
Graphs
Figure 11. Visual SWMM has “public friendly” graphical output for presentation to clients and the public. There are
nine forms of graphical output files and methods.
Page 88
2.11 Reviewing the Results in Visual SWMM

After the simulation is done we can review the time series graphs of the links and nodes by using the
command Tools=>Review Results or the review results icon. Highlight Link1 and nodes Node1 and
Node2 and click on the time series icon or review results – you should see the results shown in the
next graph. The first graph you see is a graph of the water surface elevation at a node. These results
are from the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM. One node graph view can be seen by clicking on the
options icon and then clicking OK as shown in the graph at the bottom of this page.
Click on the blue pipe icon to view the flows in both links link1 and link1a.
Note: Use the bubble name for

finding the icon names in Visual
SWMM.
Conduit view in Review Results.
The right mouse

button will bring up
an option screen
for review results.
Page 89
The top graph (blue

solid line) is the water
surface elevation at the
upstream node; the
second graph (red
dashed line) is the water
surface elevation at the
downstream node; the
third graph (magenta
dotted line) is the
velocity over time; and
the fourth graph (green
solid line) is the graph of
flow over time.
Click on the Rnf icon in

review results to view
the flow generated from
the runoff layer of
Visual SWMM. This is
the flow transferred from
the runoff layer to the
hydraulics layer in the
interface file.
Page 90
2.12 HGL Viewing in Visual SWMM

Highlight the entire network (use the mouse to draw a rectangular box around the network) and use the
command Tools=>Long Section or use the long section icon to plot a 2D view of the ground, crown
and invert elevations of the network. Next, click OK in the dialog Plot Data. The brown line is the
ground surface, the magenta line is the highest recorded water surface elevation and the blue line is the
current water
surface elevation
or HGL. Use the
replay buttons to
move the replay
of the simulation
through time.
The gray area at
the top is a
network scroll
bar that can be
moved to change
the viewpoint of
the network by
grabbing the box
handles. The
grey area can be
minimized and
the window in
icon will allow
the long section
view to expand
as shown in the
second figure on
this page.
Page 91
2.13 Spatial Reports in Visual SWMM

Use the command View=>Display Reports=>All Objects=>Show Links to graph on the screen the
spatial reports for the links in a predefined format. The predefined format shows the length of the
conduit, the simulated maximum flow, and the upstream and downstream conduit inverts. Use the
command View=>Display Reports=>Hide Links to turn off the spatial reports. The format for the
default spatial reports are in the dialog accessed by the command View=>Spatial Reports=>Data
Variables. You can modify the default reports or create your own report format. Note: More
information on the use of spatial reports are given in the Visual SWMM WorkboOK Module 25.
Use the command View=>Display Reports=>All Objects =>Show Nodes to graph on the screen the
spatial reports for a node in a predefined format. The predefined format shows the ground elevation,
invert elevation and maximum water surface elevation during the simulation. Use the command
View=>Display Reports=>All Objects =>Hide Nodes to turn off the spatial reports. The node and
link spatial reports can be seen using the command View=>Display Reports=>All Objects =>Show
Nodes and Links.
Conduit spatial reports.
Page 92
Node Spatial Reports.
2.14 Graphical Encoding in Visual SWMM

Graphical encoding allows you to change the node color and size, the link color and size, and the node
and link label size based on one data variable. This example shows how to make the node color
dependent on the freeboard (ground elevation minus maximum water surface elevation) at any node.
Use the command View=>Graphical Encoding to define the type of graphical encoding.
Use the suggest

button to define
the colors
shown over the
entire range
data for
continuity
error. The Pick a data variable for the ncoding of the
colors, low and visual entity.
high values
used in the
graphical
encoding can
be changed by
any user.
Page 93
The dialog graphical encoding allows you to pick one data variable per graphical entity . Using the
mouse and clicking on the variable selection box allow you to select the variable. The default variable
in the Visual SWMM files created from Visual Hydro is freeboard.
Graphically encoded
freeboard at nodes of
the MYNET2 network.
Page 94
2.15 Report Generation in Visual SWMM

Report generation allows you to design an output table based on selected data variables. We will use
the node name, ground elevation, invert elevation, maximum simulated elevation, and freeboard in our
designed table. These variables are in default table design in your Visual SWMM file. We will view
these variables using the Setup button in the Report Generation dialog using the command
File=>Report. The default report generation file is shown in the figure below. Use the Generate
command to make the table. New variables can be added by using the buttons Add and Insert on the
right hand side of this dialog. Existing variables can be modified using the Define button.
The generated report for nodes

using the command
File=>Report=>Generate.
Page 95
2.15.1 Defining More than One Conduit between Two

Nodes in Visual SWMM
A link in Visual SWMM

can also be changed to a
multi-link by using the
right mouse button and
selecting Multi-Conduit.
For example, the multi-

conduit data for the two links
between Node1 and Node2 is
seen if you double click with
the left mouse button on the
link.
Page 96
2.15.2 Defining Pumps, Weirs and Orifices
Pumps, weirs and orifices can not be selected in the drainage and links dialog in Visual Hydro but they
can be simulated in Visual SWMM. The pump, weirs and orifices are entered in the multi-conduit
dialog of Visual SWMM. You can change the single link exported from Visual Hydro by clicking on
the link with the right mouse button and selecting the command Multi-conduit. The next time you
double click on the link the Multiple link dialog will appear. Select the pump, orifice, weir or special
dialogs and enter the appropriate data.
The data you entered for the pump, weir or orifice will be saved in the .XP file of Visual SWMM if
you click Yes when prompted by the program when exiting the Visual SWMM module and returning
to Visual Hydro. Visual SWMM and Visual Hydro together give you all of the capabilities of XP-
SWMM or the Visual SWMM standalone product in addition to:
• Network generation from survey chains and geometry chains,
• 3D Network Visualization,
• Annotated Profile Plotting,
• Access Database,
• Spreadsheet Editing, and
• VBA macros.
Page 97
2.16 The Minimum Grade Command

Use the Visual Hydro networks “Winding1” “Winding2 “Winding3” and “Winding4” in the
archived project HTUTOR5. Click on the button Draw Outline to see the outline of the network. If
you do not see the outline at first then use the fit window icon to zoom to the outline location. Next,
use the command Settings=>Sheet Formats=>Profile to define the alignment (geometry chain
DMB285), calculate the min and max elevations from the terrain and digitize the origin of the plotted
profile. You will see that a minimum grade of –10 percent will be best for following the contours of
the ground on this DTM.
Page 98
A network was created from the survey chain DMB285 using

different values of the minimum grade command. These networks
were saved in networks winding1, winding2, winding3, and
winding4. After each network is activated use the Draw Profile
button on the Network tab page. You should see four different
profiles for the four created networks.
-10 percent grade
--0.3 percent grade
-0.1 percent grade
+0.1 percent grade
Page 99
2.17 SRV Import of the Visual SWMM Network
An SRV file can be created from Visual SWMM by using the keyword Make_SRV and the command
Tools=>SWMM Configuration Parameters. This is all done in the Visual SWMM module. The
SRV file then can be loaded into CAiCE by using the command File=>Project Manager=>Load
CAiCE SRV. The imported SRV file can be used to create a geometry chain using the command
Geometry=>Geometry Chains=>Copy From Survey Chain. This geometry chain then can be the
alignment for the profile and the survey chain the data for the Visual Hydro nodes and links.
This example uses the .SRV file named testext1.srv which was created from the file testext1.xp. The
imported alignment can be seen after converting the survey chain to a geometry chain and using the
View geometry chain icon. Use of the command Geometry=>Survey Chain=>Advanced Survey
Chain Editor will show the actual points of the survey chain on the screen (next page).
Imported .SRV file viewed

as a geometry chain.
Page 100
Advanced survey chain editor view of the

imported .srv file.
BEGIN X LT
P G 1 28.91480 470.88150 138.00000 LT
P G 1 66.02180 471.09320 135.00000 LT
P G 1 66.02180 427.18630 155.00000 LT
P G 1 66.02180 392.18630 125.00000 LT
P G 1 108.70370 392.18630 120.00000 LT
P G 1 148.70370 392.18630 111.00000 LT
P G 1 218.65260 392.18630 100.00000 LT
P G 1 217.73310 424.45350 137.00000 LT
P G 1 158.70370 424.45350 130.00000 LT
P G 1 108.70370 424.45350 125.00000 LT
END
The format of the .SRV file
from the Visual SWMM file
testext1.xp
Page 101
Views from using the

Draw and Draw
Profile buttons in the
dialog Drainage
System in Visual
Hydro.
Three dimensional view of the drawn

network. The trapazoidal channels
are seen to be very steeply sloped at
the outfall of the network.
Page 102
2.18 XPX Input of XP-SWMM or Visual SWMM Data
Another source of data for Visual Hydro is the import of XPX (ASCII tabular data) from XP-SWMM
or Visual SWMM. The procedure is to export the data from Visual SWMM using the command
Special=>Export Data and then import the data into Visual Hydro using the command
Hydro=>Visual Hydrology=>Network Tab=>Create from Visual SWMM Database. In this
example we will use the file culvert.xp as the source of the XPX data. The network and the export
dialog are shown on this page.
Page 103
In Visual Hydro create a new network and use the Create from Visual SWMM Database to import the
data. The import data file name will be by default a file with a .XPX extension.
Page 104
Four nodes and three conduits are imported. Using the CAiCE DTM Manager we can see the network
in plan view (2D) and 3D as shown on the next page. The culvert has 3 barrels with upstream and
downstream trapezoidal channels. The lighting of the 2D and 3D objects can be altered using the
command Settings=>View Options. Note: The use of the ambient color options make the screen
objects appear much brighter and natural.
Page 105
Three
dimensional
View.
Page 106
2.19 Visualization and Plotting Tools in Visual Hydro

Once back in Visual Hydro the user of the model can see 2D and 3D Visualizations of the network
objects with filtering (ground, nodes, links) shown as outline or wire frame or shaded view. Feature
table and cell libraries control the plotting shape, color, line weight, etc. of the objects.
Plots in CAiCE can be generated using an active alignment allowing ground pipes EGL, HGL, design
surface (with and without DTM and other objects) and varying levels of other detailed information
such as friction losses, max flows and velocities and pipe geometric data. Either the final or peak
values will be plotted by the program.
The current active alignment is defined using the command Settings=>Sheet Formats=>Profile.
*Note: The active alignment should be a geometry chain. If there is currently no geometry chain
then you should use the command Geometry=>Geometry Chains=>Copy from Survey Chain to
make a geometry chain. If you need to see the grid profile then draw it as defined by the current
settings with the command View=>Profiles=>Profile Grid. Profiles are projections of the drainage
network in side view.
Page 107
Tip: Draw the profile of the current active geometry chain by using the command
Hydro=>Visual Hydrology=>Network=>Draw Profile. The text is drawn after the
command Hydro=>Visual Hydrology=>Run=>Draw/Generate Report is used. The text
size can be adjusted by using the command Settings=>Global Options=>Text and changing
the size of the text height.
Figure 10. Profile of the Conduits in Visual Hydro. The text can show the peak HGL, EGL, flooding
etc. for either the final or peak condition. A combination of the profile grid, data tips, and profile as
shown below allows you to view the network in side profile.
Page 108
Figure 21. External features can be added to your drawn pipe network using the CAiCE
Visual DTM manager and the feature table.
Page 109
Two 3D views of an imported Visual

SWMM network.: Top – with the
node invert and ground elevation
shown and bottom – without the
nodes. The complexity of a drainage
network in 3 dimensions is apparent
as well as potential problem conduits
and sections.
Page 110
Using the feature table which can assign colors and assigning patterns to triangles allows you to make
very realistic looking DTM’s in the CAiCE DTM Manager as shown here.
Page 111
2.20 Water Flow Model

In CAiCE if you use the command View=>DTM=>Water Flow Model then the water flow directions
are shown on the DTM as you can see in the picture below. This command is good for seeing the
general direction of the water flow. The command View=>DTM=>Runoff Arrows shows the runoff
flow arrow directions on the DTM. This DTM is from the project MYTOOLS in the Project
Manager. Note: In Visual Hydro Version 2.0 the actual watershed areas will be calculated from the
DTM surface.
2.21 Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 introduces many of the commands and Tools used in Visual Hydro and its Visual SWMM
module. The entire chapter is one complete example of the creation and analysis of a Visual Hydro
network. In chapters 3, 4 and 5 we will use these commands and tools to make simple hydraulic and
hydrologic networks in Visual Hydro that we will solve in Visual SWMM. The simple networks are
part of the .ARC file that comes with Visual Hydro or can be created using the .SRV files in the
directory caice\vhydro\samples.
Page 112
CAiCE Visual Hydro Hydraulic Design Examples
Chapter 3
Hydraulic Design Examples
3.1 Introduction
The many uses of CAiCE Visual Hydro are best illustrated by example. This chapter shows how
Visual Hydro can be configured for several common modeling situations including a culvert, pond,
trapezoidal channel, major-minor system and open channels such as a HEC-RAS cross section. The
examples in these Chapters are not standalone examples like those in Chapters 1 and 2. These
examples were constructed using the tools described in chapter 2 of this manual and should each
illustrate one or two additional features of Visual Hydro that were not covered in the complete
examples of Chapters 1 and 2. The individual examples in Chapters 3, 4 and 5 are available in a
CAiCE ARC file in the caice\samples\vhydro directory. You need to make a project with the name of
the ARC file and then unarchive the file to reconstruct the DTM and Hydro networks. For example,
you will need to unarchive HTUTOR2.ARC after creating the CAiCE project HTUTOR2 to use the
example in section 3.2.
The ARC files that are installed on your computer system from the CAiCE installation CD are shown
in Table 4.
Table 4. ARC files in caice/sample/vhydro
SRV File ARC File Examples
333333.SRV HTUTOR2 Section 3.2 – Culvert and Road Crossing.

Culvert Network.
SR22a.SRV SR22 Section 3.3 – Dendritic Network. J1

Network.
HTUTOR5 Section 3.4 – Surface Flooding Example
HTUTOR5 Section 3.5 – Surface Pond
Page 113
3.2 Modeling a Culvert and Road Crossing

In this example we will model a double-barreled rectangular culvert with a constant inflow and
entrance/exit losses. The 3D representation in CAiCE Visual Hydro of this culvert is shown in Figure
13. We will use the network named “Culvert” in Visual Hydro. This network is part of the
HTUTOR2 project. Use the commands File=>Project Manager=>Activate Network=>Close in the
CAiCE Project Management System and Hydro=>Visual Hydrology=>Network and activate the
Culvert network by clicking on the “P” for Culvert. The Draw button used in conjunction with the
shading icon will produce the screen shown on the next page. We will look at how the data is entered
in Visual Hydro and then perform the design analysis using the Visual SWMM module. This project
name for the network “culvert” is HTUTOR2.
In this example we will model a single rectangular culvert with a constant inflow, entrance, exit losses,
and two barrels. The 3D representation in CAiCE Visual Hydro of this culvert is shown in Figure 14.
We will use the culvert network in Visual Hydro. Use the command Hydro=>Visual
Hydrology=>Network and activate the culvert network. The Draw button and the shading icon will
produce a 3D view of the network.
Page 114
Figure 13. Use transparency

for the DTM using the
command View=>Images and
Transpency=>Modify Surface
Transparency to show the
culvert system under the DTM.
Figure 14. 3D View of the culvert.
Page 115
Node SVA526 should be a node with a constant inflow of 4 cms. In this simple model we will just be
simulating the inflow in the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM; we will not be using the runoff
hydrology methods to generate the flow. Typically, the hydraulics layer is solved in one of the
following ways:
Constant inflow or User Rational Method, SCS Hydrology, EPA Runoff,

Defined Hydrograph Kinematic Wave, SBUH or Other Hydrologic
Methods
Hydraulics Layer Only. Runoff and Hydraulics Layer.
Node SVA527 should be an outfall node. Use the Outfall Type button to define the type of outfall.
In this case it will be a fixed backwater outfall with an elevation of 129 meters. Note: The Update
button should be used after the inflow, outfall and storage data is entered or modified.
Page 116
The entrance and exit loss coefficients are entered in the losses dialog. Typical values for culvert
entrance losses are 0.4 to 0.6 and 1.0 for the exit loss. The number of barrels for this culvert are
selected using the No. of Barrels selection box. The geometry of the conduits can be changed using
the Link Geometry button after the Quick Create Network has made the network. Note: Use the
Update button to save the data for any changes in this dialog. Next use Run Design/Analysis.
In the Visual SWMM interface use the command Tools=>Mode

Properties and solve only the hydraulics layer and review the
results of the flow in link1. The flow is greater than the constant
flow of 4 cms because the head at node SVA526 must be high
enough to overcome the friction loss in conduit link1.
Page 117
Initialize the flow in the conduit by double clicking on link1. The initial flow in cms is entered
in the initial conduit flows data box. An initial flow is not necessary but helpful in the cases
where the upstream head must build up to overcome the friction loss in the dry conduit. Now
solve the model again and review Table E13 in the output file and the hydrograph in link link1.
*===============================================================*
| Table E13. Channel losses(H), headwater depth (HW), tailwater |
| depth (TW), critical and normal depth (Yc and Yn). |
| Use this section for culvert comparisons |
*===============================================================*
Conduit Maximum Head Friction Critical Normal HW TW

Name Flow Loss Loss Depth Depth Elevat Elevat
------- ------- ----- ----- -------- ------ ------ -----
LINK1 2.000 0.419 0.064 0.741 1.000 129.980 129.482 Max Flow
Table 2. Culvert Comparison Table in the hydraulics layer output file. The head loss in meters
is due to the entrance and exit loss coefficients in the momentum equation. Note: the maximum
flow is 2 cms not 4 cms because the table shows the peak flow, head loss, TW and HW through
one barrel of the culvert.
Page 118
The hydrograph with an initial flow of 4 cms. It

does not have an initial overprediction of head and
flow as it fills up the network.
The culvert system in Visual SWMM is in the Hydraulics layer. The toolbar icons Rnf changes
to the runoff layer and Hdr changes the interface to the hydraulics layer.
Page 119
3.2.1 Hydraulic Layer Equations
The entrance and exit losses of the culvert are modeled in the combined momentum-continuity
equation of the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM. The entrance loss is a function of the entrance
loss coefficient and upstream velocity. The exit loss is a function of the downstream velocity and the
exit loss coefficient. The loss in meters or feet is allocated the length of the conduit as shown below in
the equation for See. The expansion loss is based on the loss coefficient and the difference in velocity
between the upstream conduit and the culvert. The contraction loss is based on the loss coefficient
and the difference in velocity between the culvert and the downstream conduit. The expansion and
contraction velocity difference is based on the mid conduit velocity. The length difference is a half or
the culvert length and half of either the upstream or downstream length.
K ee • V 2 m2 / s2
S ee =
2 • g • ∆x m / s 2 • m
where ,
S ee = entrance or exit loss slope ,
K ee = entrance or exit loss coefficien t.
∆x = length of conduit ,
V = upstream velocity for entrance loss ,
downstream velocity for exit loss .
g = gravitatio nal constant.
K ec • ∂ (Q / A) 2 m2 / s2
S ec =
2 • g • ∆x m / s2 • m
where ,
S ec = entrance or exit loss slope,
K ec = expansion/ contractio n loss coefficien t.
∆x = length of conduit,
V = upstream velocity for entrance loss,
downstream velocity for exit loss.
g = gravitation al constant .
Page 120
The combined momentum continuity equation includes the losses for entrance and exit loss,
expansion contraction loss, friction loss, bed slope, water surface slope, prism slope, and unsteady
flow term. The bed slope and water surface slope term balance the friction loss, entrance exit loss,
and expansion contraction loss during steady flow. The unsteady flow term can be dominant during
times of high flow change. The prism slope term can be dominant in the case of a steep slope in which
the cross sectional area downstream is much greater than the cross sectional area upstream.
The dynamic wave equation at the bottom of this page is used for all conduit flow calculations except
in situations in which the normal flow or Manning’s equation is used for the flow estimate. The
normal flow equation is used when:
1. The flow is positive,
2. The water surface slope is greater than the conduit bed slope, and
3. The conduit is not surcharged.
∂Q g • n 2 • Q | V | ∂A ∂V
+ − V • + Q • +
∂t R 4/3 ∂t ∂x
∂H K ee • Q • V K ec • A ∂ V 2
g • A• + + • =0
∂x 2 • ∆x 2 ∂x
where ,
Q = conduit flow ,
V = mid conduit velocity ,
A = mid conduit cross sec tional area ,
H = Downstream − Upstream water surface elevation ,
g = gravitatio nal const .,
n = mannings ' roughness coefficien t ,
t = timestep ,
x = conduit length ,
R = mid conduit hydraulic radius ,
K ec = expansion contractio n loss coefficien t ,
K ee = entrance or exit loss coefficien t ,
Page 121
3.3 Modeling a Dendritic Network

Activate the Project S22 using the command File=>Project Manager and click on Activate project
and Close. The network J1 in Visual Hydro was constructed by snapping in succession survey chains
FLW3, FLW2 and KC2. You can create the network using the survey chains in any order or use the
already created network J1.
The sequence of commands used to create the network J1 after using the Hydro=>Visual Hydrology
command was:
1. Name and Create the network, J1,
2. Use the button Quick Create Network and snap on survey chain FLW3,
3. Create the nodes and links in this part of the network. The node inverts are 1.5 meters below the
ground elevation and the links are all 1-meter deep circular conduit pipes. The network was
created with the default minimum grade of 0.3 percent.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for chains FLW2 and KC2. Each successive creation will add more nodes and
pipes to network J1.
The network in 3D
on the wiremesh
DTM.
Page 122
Other data requirements for this network are: (1) Node CHN24 should be a free outfall and (2) there
are no watersheds or constant inflow hydrographs. The only data changes are defining node CHN24
to be a free outfall and using the Update button to save this information to the Access database. After
these items are finished you should use the Run tab and click on the Run Design/Analysis without
the design all pipes option.
You should see the network now in Visual SWMM. The colors and text size shown below will not be
seen at first. If you first highlight the network and then use the command Edit=>Attributes to change
the size and color of the nodes and links. We will only solve the hydraulics layer in this model. The
driving force in this model will be a user defined hydrograph at nodes CHN25 and KC9. User defined
hydrographs cannot be currently be entered in Visual Hydro but must be entered in the Visual SWMM
module.
Note: Once you modify any data in Visual SWMM it will be updated in Visual Hydro or saved in
Visual SWMM database. For example, the user defined hydrographs will be saved in the .xp file and
not in the Microsoft Access database of Visual Hydro. A modification to a boundary condition in
Visual SWMM will be saved in both the .xp file of Visual SWMM and the Microsoft Access database
of Visual Hydro via the XPX ASCII File.
Page 123
3.3.1 User Defined Time Series

We will enter the same user hydrograph time series at node CHN24 and node KC9. Using the mouse
double click on the node named CHN24 or KC9. The data will be entered in the User Inflow button.
Two hours of flow ramping from 0 cms to 2 cms will be entered in the inflow dialog. Note: Make
sure you click on OK to save the data. Cancel will delete any data entered in the dialogs.
After you have entered the flow data change the simulation time using the command Special=>Job
Control to 2 hours. Solve the model and look at the long section plot from node KC9 to CHN24. An
easy way to highlight just this section is to highlight node KC9 with the mouse and then using the
CTRL-SHIFT keys click on node CHN24 with the mouse. A highlighted line should appear that can
be used in the HGL or long section plotting.
Page 124
3.3.2 Design Option

A look at the long section plot drawn from nodes KC9 TO CHN24. The upper section of these
conduits surcharge near the end of the simulation. Visual Hydro offers an option to design these
conduits in the Run Tab. Rerun the simulation with the Design all pipes check box turned on. Visual
SWMM will increase the pipe diameter by 75 mm at the end of each time step if the conduit is
Page 125
surcharged. A surcharged conduit is defined as a conduit in which either the upstream water surface
elevation is above the crown elevation of the conduit or the downstream water surface elevation is
above the crown elevation of the conduit. The newly sized conduit diameters are saved to a .DES file
that is re-imported into Visual SWMM and hence into Visual Hydro.
Visual SWMM has an equivalent check box to the Run tab check box for Design all pipes. If you use
the command Special=>Job Control the check box can be seen in the dialog box as shown below.
DATA DEEP "LINK10" 0 1 1.1500

Table 3. The format of the .des file containing the new conduit sizes that were calculated during
the simulation. This file is imported back into Visual SWMM, but the data in Visual Hydro is not
updated until the Update/Node link button is activated. Thus, you can continue to run the analysis
from Visual Hydro until you are satisfied with the design and then use the Update button to change
the Visual Hydro database.
Page 126
After solving the model, look at the long section plot from node KC9 to CHN24. Again, an easy way
to highlight just this section is to highlight node KC9 with the mouse and then using the CTRL-
SHIFT keys click on node CHN24 with the mouse. A highlighted line should appear that can be used
in the HGL or long section plotting. You notice that now the maximum hydraulic grade line does not
go above the crown elevation of the pipes – as shown in the picture above.
This example showed how to:
• Connect multiple survey chains in Visual Hydro,
• Add User defined inflow in Visual SWMM,
• And use the Design all pipes feature to resize any conduits that surcharge.
Page 127
3.4 Surface Flooding Options

Activate the Project Htutor5 using the command File=>Project Manager. The network Hills in
Visual Hydro was constructed by using Quick Create Network and snapping on survey chain
DMB567. The data for this example came from the file 621450b.SRV. The nodes of the network are
the points in the survey chain. Text and lines can be added to your screen by using the command
Drafting=>Store/Edit Text Element or Drafting=>Draw Line Segment. Node DMB10148 is the
one watershed in the network and it simulates the surface runoff using SCS hydrology. Node
DMB10093 is the outfall for this model.
Watershed data for Node DMB10093.
Page 128
Run the Run Design/Analysis to shift to the Visual SWMM module. Solve the model in Visual
SWMM and examine Table E22 for any analysis problems.
###################################################
###################################################
Your overall error was 0.0008 percent

Worst nodal error was in node DMB10147 with 0.1919 percent
Your overall continuity error was Excellent
Good Efficiency
This analysis is favorable because the overall continuity error is low, the efficiency is good and the
worst nodal continuity error is low. The small number of non-convergences is not important because
they were isolated at two nodes.
Highlight the whole network by using the mouse and dragging a rectangular box around the network.
Plot the HGL of the network by using the long section plot icon. Replay the simulation and you will
see surface flooding in the upper reaches of the network. Zoom in on that area and you will see the
plot shown on the next page.
The nodes that flood are listed in the output file of Visual SWMM. Use the notepad icon to browse
the .OUT file. The nodes that flood and the volume of flooding at a node are listed in Table E20.
Page 129
Zoomed section using the Windows Area In

icon. Area of surface flooding.
*=====================================================*
| Table E20 - Junction Flooding and Volume Listing. |
| The maximum volume is the total volume |
| in the node including the volume in the |
| flooded storage area. This is the max | Nodes DMB10104 and
| volume at any time. The volume in the | DMB10093 experience
| flooded storage area is the total volume| surface flooding. The
| above the ground elevation, where the |
| flooded pond storage area starts. | volumes of flooding are
| The fourth column is instantaneous, the fifth is the| listed in Table E20.
| sum of the flooded volume over the entire simulation|
| Units are either ft^3 or m^3 depending on the units.|
*=====================================================*
Out of
System Stored in System
Junction Surcharged Flooded Flooded Maximum Ponding Allowed
Name Time (min) Time(min) Volume Volume Flood Pond Volume
------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- -----------------
DMB10093 1.402E+03 1.400E+03 1.235E+07 2.00 0.00
DMB10094 1.401E+03 0.00 0.00 1.49 0.00
DMB10095 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.474 0.00
DMB10096 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.627 0.00
DMB10097 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.849 0.00
DMB10098 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.754 0.00
DMB10099 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.727 0.00
DMB10100 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.794 0.00
DMB10101 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.875 0.00
DMB10102 1.399E+03 0.00 0.00 1.91 0.00
DMB10103 1.400E+03 0.00 0.00 1.64 0.00
DMB10104 1.399E+03 1.399E+03 2.514E+04 2.00 0.00
DMB10105 1 399E+03 0 00 0 00 1 95 0 00
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We will change the treatment of the flooded water in nodes DMB10104 and DMB10093. The three
options in the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM for simulating the flood loss through the top of a
manhole are:
• a flood loss out of the top of the manhole that is accounted for in the continuity check,
• a surface pond that will store the excess water until the hydraulic grade line allows the water to
reenter the subsurface system, and
• a sealed or bolted manhole that will use the default surface area of a node as the nodal area when
the hydraulic grade line is above the ground elevation. A bolted manhole will cause the flow in
the downstream pipes to increase because of the increased water depth at the upstream end of the
conduits.
The option is chosen for an individual node after double clicking with the mouse on the node in Visual
SWMM. We will choose the flooded pond option at nodes DMB10104 and DMB10093.
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Another way to view the number of flooded nodes is to graphical encoding and change the node color
based on the amount of flooding. Use the command View=>Graphical Encoding and select the
variable flooded loss as the graphical entity for node color as shown above. Change the Visual Entity
to have two colors: blue for no flooding and red for flooding. The procedure to accomplish this is use
the suggest button and then delete the extraneous rows by using the DEL key. You will also have to
manually alter the low and high values of a color. Finally, perform a graphical encoding using the fill
nodes checkbox.
The network should look like the picture shown below in which nodes DMB10104 and DMB10093
are red.
Graphical Encoding
for the Visual Entity
flood loss.
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The flooded node options are defined in the junction defaults using the command Special=>Job
Control. The Junction Defaults dialog contains the default surface area for a flooded node:
Area = Coefficient • e[exponent • Ponded Depth]
An equation such as:
Area = 500.0• e[1e-09 • Ponded Depth]
means you are using a cylindrical shape for the flooded node. This would be the best shape for
controlling any continuity errors generated using the surface ponds.
An equation such as:
Area = 5000.0• e[1.0 • Ponded Depth]
means you are using a saucer shape for the flooded node. In this case we will use the cylindrical shape
to store the flooded water once the HGL rises above the ground elevation of the node. After these
modifications solve the model again an look at Table E20 along with the HGL or long section plot.
*=====================================================*
| Table E20 - Junction Flooding and Volume Listing. |
| The maximum volume is the total volume | The amount of water stored in the
| in the node including the volume in the | flooded node above the ground
| flooded storage area. This is the max |
| volume at any time. The volume in the | elevation is shown in the last column of
| flooded storage area is the total volume| Table E20 in the output file.
| above the ground elevation, where the |
| flooded pond storage area starts. |
| The fourth column is instantaneous, the fifth is the|
| sum of the flooded volume over the entire simulation|
| Units are either ft^3 or m^3 depending on the units.|
*=====================================================*
System Stored in System
Junction Surcharged Flooded Flooded Maximum Ponding Allowed
Name Time (min) Time(min) Volume Volume Flood Pond Volume
------- ---------- -------- --------- --------- -----------------
DMB10093 1.372E+03 1.368E+03 0.00 2.383E+06 2.392E+06
DMB10094 1.371E+03 0.00 0.00 1.45 0.00
DMB10095 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.463 0.00
DMB10096 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.534 0.00
DMB10097 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.729 0.00
DMB10098 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.607 0.00
DMB10099 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.515 0.00
DMB10100 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.509 0.00
DMB10101 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.524 0.00
DMB10102 1.368E+03 0.00 0.00 1.58 0.00
DMB10103 1.368E+03 0.00 0.00 1.65 0.00
DMB10104 1.369E+03 1.368E+03 0.00 2.439E+04 2.458E+04
Page 133
The stored water at node DMB10104 results in a higher than ground elevation for the HGL. At a
flooded node only the elevation to the ground elevation will be used in the calculation of the HGL
term in the dynamic wave equation but the reported elevation in the HGL plot and the review results
will show the elevation in the flooded node.
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3.5 Modeling a Drainage Pond

In this example we will simulate a drainage pond in Visual Hydro. The source of the data will be the
geometry chain or alignment DMB2 in the project HTUTOR5 which is based on the SRV file
621450B.SRV. DMB2 is a looped chain at the bottom of the DTM. Using the command
Visual=>Visual Hydro create a network called LOOP and then use the Quick Create Network
button to snap to the geometry chain. If you are using geometry chains then you can set the distance of
the links or in this case 500 meters.
The geometry chain DMB2

will be the source of the data
for network LOOP.
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Each node should be 500

meters from the other node and
1 meter from the ground
elevation. The conduits should
be trapezoidal in shape with a
depth of 0.5 meters, a width of
1 meter and a minimum grade
of –50 percent (which will
force the conduits to follow the
contours of the ground). A
network consisting of 25 nodes
and 24 links should be formed.
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The created network does not follow exactly the shape of the survey chain because we requested a
node distance of 500 meters. Later on we can make another network with a smaller node to node
distance and the match between the created network and the survey chain will be more exact. The
geometry chain used in the formation of the alignment was copied from survey chain DMB2. Node2
will contain the subcatchment or watershed data in this model.
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The area of watershed Node1 can be obtained from the geometry chain by double clicking with the
mouse on the subcatchment area box of the small spreadsheet. The area dialog shown above will
appear and you can snap to the closed survey chain to have the CAiCE DTM Manager calculate the
area within the closed chain. The other data for the subcatchment are as shown in the picture at the
top of the page.
If Return Value Only is off then only the linkage to the name of the closed chain will be saved to the
mini-spreadsheet. Then if the survey chain data is changed the program will recalculate the area
within the closed survey chain.
Node4 will be the storage pond in this model. The data for the storage pond is entered in the storage
data dialog. The actual data for this pond is shown on the next page. The pond is 4 meters deep with
a total area of 10 hectares. Click on the Update button after the storage data is entered to save the
data and the storage flag to the Microsoft access database.
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Stepwise linear storage data entered for Node4.
Now in the Run tab use the command Run Design/Analysis to solve the network in the Visual
SWMM module. This network will solve the runoff and the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM.
Node1 has the watershed and Node4 has the storage data. We will now modify the rainfall data so
that the rainfall lasts for 3 hours.
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Double click on Node1 and go to the underlying dialog in the first (#1) column. Select the rainfall
name by clicking on the rainfall name SCS Type II and then edit the data. Modify the data in the
dialog using the constant rainfall interval radio button. Change the rainfall amount to 25 millimeters
(the multiplier box) and the time to three hours by modifying the radio button and the hour data box.
Note, each of the default rainfall databases are normalized to 1 mm. The radio button for total time
and hours should be turned on for this change to be effective. The rainfall will now be 25 mm for 3
hours.
Now use the command Special=>Job Control=>Time Control and alter the length of simulation in
both the runoff and hydraulic layers to 3 hours to match the rainfall period.
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Time control dialog in the hydraulics layer of Visual SWMM is shown in the above picture. Solve the
network and review the HGL or long section between Node1 and Node4. There is no flow out of the
pond because the water surface elevation is not high enough to commence flow in link4.
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3.6 Modeling an Drainage Pond (2)
To model a retention pond, we will use a chain defining the outer perimeter called KC2. The outer
perimeter will be at the existing ground elevations, and we will use 2:1 slopes extending inward to a
fixed elevation of 570 feet, causing the bottom of the pond to be flat. The KC2 chain is stored counter
clockwise, so we will apply the slopes to the right (the inside) of the chain.
To begin the slopes at the existing ground elevation, we must first create a terrain profile called KC2
along the chain from DTM surface BASE. In the Chain Elevations section we turn on the Terrain
Profile option and select profile KC2. All four X to 1 slope values are set to 2.0. In the Slope To
section we turn on the Fixed Elevation option and set the elevation value to 570. The Station and
Angle increments are set to 25 feet and 15 degrees, respectively.
The DTM=>Surface Volumes/Areas command described in the preceding section can also be used to
calculate the cut and fill volumes between the current active surface and any horizontal plane. For
example, if you want to know the volumes between the current surface and the horizontal plane at
elevation 570, simply set the Reference Elevation to 570 and click the Compute button.
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3.7 Modeling an Open Channel System

In this example, we will construct a surface for a levee using an open chain called DIKE1 as the
centerline of the top of the dike. The top of the dike will be a flat surface that is 20 feet wide. It uses
a flat catch slope rate of 4:1 for up to 8 feet of fill, and a steep slope rate of 2:1 if the 4:1 slope is
higher than 8 feet. The elevation of the top of the levee is defined by a design profile called DIKE1.
After setting the chain name to DIKE1, we must turn both the Apply Left... and Apply Right...
options on, and give a horizontal offset of 10 feet for both sides. This accounts for the 20 foot flat
top-of-dike. The Chain Elevations is set to Design Profile using DIKE1. The upper fill X to 1 value
is 4.0, and the lower one is 2.0. The Upto values are set to 8.0. There should be no cut slopes on the
levee if the design profile is correctly defined. The Slope To definition is set to DTM Surface, and
the Station and Angle increments are 25 feet and 15 degrees.
Note that we could use the exact same parameters for modeling a ditch or canal merely by defining a
design profile that stays in cut instead of fill.
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3.8 Modeling an Open Channel system (2)
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3.9 Cross Section Cutting and Import to a Visual

SWMM Natural Channel
• Export Cross Sections to HEC2 HEC-RAS
The command File=>Export Translators=>to Hec2 make a HEC2 data set that then can be imported
into Visual SWMM as a natural channel.
For Open Channel Hydraulics Analysis Using HEC2 or HEC-RAS
• View geometry chains representing the river and floodway left and right overbanks.
• Ensure that the overbank geometry chains have a unique entry in the feature table.
• Have a ground DTM active.
• Store cross section scanlines at fixed intervals for the entire river section wide enough to include
enough floodway and left and right overbank survey chains.
• Add additional scanlines if necessary to ensure adequate discretization of the river or open
channel.
• Store cross sections from the scanlines and DTM (DTM for the riverbed and floodplain ground
surface).
• Using an Export Translator, export the cross sections to HEC2 or HEC-RAS and add any
additional data at that time such as roughness values.
The Store X-Section Scanlines command computes scan lines that will be used later in computing
cross sections. Section scan lines are stored in the database as geometry lines, and may be viewed like
any other geometry line
The Store X-Sections from Scanlines and DTM command computes the cross sections from the
computed section scan lines. This computation is accomplished by intersecting the triangle edges with
the cross section scan lines. Computed cross section data is stored in a cross section file. The Store
X-Sections from Scanlines and DTM command displays the Compute DTM Sections on Scanlines
dialog box
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3.10 Inlet Control in Visual Hydro
A maximum inlet capacity can be entered in Visual Hydro that will cap the inflow to the subsurface
pipes of the node. The cap is based on the sum of the upstream surface conduits plus the flow from
the runoff layer and the node constant inflow. This example is the network “INLET” in the Visual
Hydro list of networks. This network is in the HTUTOT2 project. Node SVA374 has a constant
inflow of 1 cms and max inlet capacity of 0.2 cms. There is no runoff layer hydrology in this example.
Instructions: Go to the Run Tab and run the Design/Analysis. Solve only the hydraulics layer in
Visual SWMM. After the simulation is finished, plot the long section profile in Visual SWMM.
Note: This is a predefined network.
The Inlet Analysis sample network. The arch pipe network after it is
drawn from Visual Hydro and the transparency of the DTM is set to 60
percent.
Page 160
Activate the network named Inlet in using the Hydro=>Visual Hydrology command and go to the
Node tab page.
Node SVA374 has a constant inflow of 1 cms and a maximum inlet capacity of 0.2 cms. If these
values are changed then the Update button should be used to save the information to the Access
database.
Page 161
Use the command Run Design/Analysis on the Run tab page to enter the Visual SWMM module. The
data entered in Visual Hydro is reflected in the Visual SWMM dialogs. Above: The node dialog in
Visual SWMM shows the inlet capacity button and the constant inflow of 1 cms. Below: The actual
maximum inlet capacity is listed in the underlying dialog. These dialogs are accessed by double
clicking with the left mouse button on node SVA374.
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The inlet capacity dialog box on the previous page shows that there are two options in Visual SWMM for
the inlet capacity of a node: (1) a maximum capacity that may be exported from Visual Hydro, and (2) a
table of inlet flow and captured flow by the inlet which is entered in the Tools=>Global Data section of
Visual SWMM.
Solve the model in Visual SWMM, (2) highlight the whole network, and (3) use the long section icon to
plot the HGL over time. You will see that the subsurface conduit from node SVA374 is restricted to .2
cms as per the maximum inlet capacity as shown below.
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3.11 Major Minor System
In this example we will create a major-minor system using the survey chain FLW2 from the project
SR22. Project SR22 will have to be activated for you to use this network. The DTM for this project
is already created and it uses the .SRV file named SR22A.SRV as the basis of its DTM. The survey
chain data can be seen by using the command Geometry=>Survey Chains=>Advanced Survey
Chain Editor and snapping on the chain FLW2 as shown in the picture at the bottom of this page, or
entering the name FLW2 and clicking on the return icon.
A major-minor system consists of subsurface pipes and surface overland flow conduits. We will
create the subsurface network from the chain FLW2 and then use the spreadsheet editor to add the
overland flow or surface trapezoidal conduits. Only those commands and dialogs unique to making
the major-minor system will be show in this section.
Page 164
The Hydro=>Visual Hydrology command was used to enter the data for the network MAJMINOR
using the Quick Create Network button. The Quick Create Network dialog uses the data from chain
FLW2. The network will use the survey point names and locations as the nodes of the created Visual
Hydro network.
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The following information was used in the creation of the nodes and links using the Node and Link
tabs.
Data Description Data Value
Inlet Offset from the ground 2 meters
Minimum slope grade - 10 percent
Manning’s Roughness 0.013
Additional information was entered in Link Geometry after using the Define Geometry button. In this
example all of the conduits are 0.5 meters in diameter with a circular shape.
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The drainage system has been created with 10 links from the survey chain. The spreadsheet editor was
used to add eight additional trapezoidal conduits. These trapezoidal conduits serve as the overland
flow conduits. The procedure used was to copy each of the first 8 links and then paste them to the end
of the records.
Page 167
Node CHN14 has a constant inflow of 2 cms. Use the command Run=>Run Design/Analysis and
solve the model.
Fit the window once you

are in the Visual SWMM
module.
Page 168
Solve just the hydraulics layer of this model. There are no watersheds in the runoff layer of Visual
SWMM. Use the launch icon to solve the model. After the model is solved highlight the whole
network by using the mouse and drawing a box around the whole network. Use the long section icon
to plot the HGL over time. You should note that the minor system is surcharged and the flow is in the
overland or major system of the network.
Page 169
Double click on the link1 link and you will see that there are two conduits in this multi-link. The plot
radio button designates which conduit is shown in the long section HGL profile. We will switch on
the open conduit Link1a for the plotting in this section of the network. Once it is switched on copy the
radio button to a buffer by using the mouse to draw a box around the radio button. Once the button is
highlighted use the copy to clipboard icon in the upper right corner to copy it to the clipboard. Next,
highlight the whole network and paste the radio button to all of the conduits. The HGL long section
plotting will now be enabled for every open conduit. Finally, use the long section icon to plot the
flows in the open conduits. You will see that there is still surface flooding in many of the conduits.
Surface flooding at each node.
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If you exit the Visual SWMM module and return to Visual Hydro click on the checkbox for show
background and then use the command Run Design/Analysis. The network will appear in the
background with the wireframe DTM.
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3.12 Pumps in Visual SWMM

Pumps, weirs and orifices can be simulated in Visual Hydro by changing a link from a pipe to a pump,
weir or orifice in theVisual SWMM module.
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3.13 Simulation Tips for Visual SWMM Hydraulics
ter the omega and theta

values to speed up the
model.
Change the Head Tolerance

if there is a significant
continuity error at many
nodes.
Change the Courant Time

Step so that the Internal
Time Step is Smaller
Change the Maximum

Number of Iterations if there
are a few Non-convergences
Use the Advanced Routing

Features in the Conduit
Factors Dialog.
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3.14 Changing the 3D Viewpoint in CAiCE

Use the Draw command in Visual Hydro. We can make the surface transparent around the network by
using the command View=>Images and Tranparency=>Modify Surface Transparency and making
the surface 50 to 60 percent transparent. The two nodes and pipe can now be seen through the
surface of the DTM.
Using the two onscreen menus Adjust View and Navigate we can actually move our viewpoint under
the surface of the DTM, so that it we are seeing the network from below (Figure 19).
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Hydrology Examples
Chapter 4
Hydrology Examples
4.1 Hydrology Examples
The purpose of the hydrology examples is to show you how to enter the hydrology related data in
Visual Hydro, export this data to Visual SWMM, make the necessary changes in Visual SWMM, and
solve the hydrologic network for the common hydrology methods: Rational Method, SCS Hydrology,
SBUH and EPA SWMM Runoff. You will learn:
• How to define the data in Visual Hydro.
• The basic physical data required to model a watershed.
• How to enter rainfall data in Visual SWMM.
• The data requirements in a infiltration databases.
• How to connect the rainfall and infiltration databases to the physical data of the watershed.
• The runoff layer job control data including time control, print control and monthly evaporation
data.
• How to solve a model.
• How to review the output file and the time series review results graph.
4.2 Infiltration Data

There are four types of infiltration databases in Visual Hydro: Horton, Green-Ampt,
initial/continuing loss and None. The databases are accessed in Visual SWMM using the command
Tools=>Global Datbases=>Infiltration. The type of infiltration is selected in Visual Hydro using the
Subcatchment Properties button at the Node Tab.
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None is used with SCS Hydrology, Rational Method and the SBUH method. Horton is an empirical
relationship with three parameters. Green-Ampt is a physically based infiltration method that uses
three parameters (Figure 24). Horton and Green-Ampt have additional data requirements in the
database: pervious area depression storage and roughness and impervious depression storage and
roughness.
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Figure 24. Parameters for the Green-Ampt and Horton infitration databases. The Green-Ampt
parameters are physically based and can be obtained from soil maps or measured. The Horton
parameters are empirical and need to be calibrated to measured data.
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4.3 Types of Flow Into and Out of Visual SWMM.

Figure 22 shows the types of flow input possible into and out of Visual SWMM. Currently, Visual
Hydro will allow the modeler to utilize two of these flow inputs directly in the interface. You can add
the other flow options once in the Visual SWMM interface.
Runoff - Hydraulics Layer

Inflow/Outflow
Comparison
Hydraulics
Runoff
Layer
Layer
Surface Runoff
Subsurface Runoff
User Defined
Hydrographs
Constant Inflow
Dry W eather Sewer

Inflow
Process Inflow
Infiltration into Pipes
Snowmelt
Outfall or Boundary
Condition Inflow
Evaporation
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4.4 Rainfall Databases in Visual SWMM

There are a number of predefined rainfall databases in Visual Hydro that correspond to the databases
in the mmaster.xp and emaster.xp files of Visual SWMM. The constant rainfall time series (Figure
21) are the design rainfall storms such as the Chicago Storm or various SCS hyetographs (Figure 22).
Note: The mmaster.xp and emaster.xp files can be customized for a region or organization.
IDF Rainfall Value for

Rational Method
Constant Rainfall Time

Series for Design Storms
Global Database Rainfall Tipping Bucket Raingage

Time Series Information
Variable Rainfall Time Series

for Measured Storms
NWS Data for Continuous

Simulation
Figure 21. The categories of Rainfall Databases available in Visual

SWMM.
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Figure 22. Rainfall Record Names in Visual SWMM.
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The User Storm 1 and User Storm 2 can be used for the IDF rainfall value or the variable rainfall
time series. The rainfall amount can be adjusted as shown in Figure 23 for any of the rainfall
categories. Measured data can be inserted in the User Storm 1 and 2 databases. Note: The user will
have to modify the time series data in the variable time series in Visual SWMM.
Once the data has been modified in Visual SWMM the data will be saved in a new .xp file when
Visual SWMM is exited and control is passed back to Visual Hydro. The next time this network is
solved form Visual Hydro the modifications will still be in the new .xp file, but will not be saved to
either the mmaster.xp or emaster.xp files. Visual SWMM changes are local only in the integrated
Figure 23. Use the command Tools=>Global Data=>Rainfall=>Edit=>Constant

Time Interval to modify the rainfall value or rainfall time step in the User Storm 1
and 2. The data field Multiplier can be used to modify the rainfall amount in the design
storms. For example, a value of 125 in the field would mean a rainfall total of 125 mm
over a 24 hour period for the SCS Type II rainfall database.
Visual Hydro family of products.
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1.486
Q= • W • (d − d s ) 5 / 3 • S 1/ 2
n
Page 189
4.5 SCS Hydrology

The SCS unit hydrograph will use a composite CN and a shape factor that ranges from 50 to 950 to
route the rainfall excess through a unit hydrograph. The default shape factor in HEC-1 and TR-20 is
484. The unit hydrograph may have a curvilinear or triangular shape. The initial abstraction may be
either a constant depth or calculated as a fraction * S, where S is calculated based on the CN. The
fraction value corresponds to 0.2 in either HEC-1 or the TR-20. Typically, the curvilinear unit
hydrograph will be used in Visual SWMM. The curvilinear option uses the gamma function to
calculate the ordinates of the unit hydrograph.
If there is any impervious area then a composite curve number is generated using a CN value of 98 for
the impervious area. This CN value can be changed globally by using the SWMM parameter CN=##,
where ## is a value between 1 and 99.
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4.6 Rational Method Hydrology

The rational method uses the runoff coefficient to calculate the runoff using a triangular unit
hydrograph twice the width of the time of concentration. The infiltration loss is [1 - the runoff
coefficient]. The infiltration database will have the name “NONE” which means that it is not used
during the simulation.
An enhancement was made to the rational method algorithm in Visual SWMM during the creation of
Visual Hydro. The unit hydrograph for the rational method is exported as an user defined hydrograph
with a time base twice the time of concentration.
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4.7 Santa Barbara Urban Hydrograph (SBUH)
The SBUH method uses the CN (from 1 to 100) to estimate the rainfall excess that is routed
through the inflow - outflow equation of the SBUH. The CN is entered in the curve number
field. The CN value is used to estimate the initial abstraction and the rainfall excess. If
there is any impervious area then a composite curve number is generated using a CN value
of 98 for the impervious area. This CN value can be changed globally by using the SWMM
parameter CN=##, where ## is a value between 1 and 99. Note: The infiltration database
name must be populated by a name but the infiltration data is ignored by the
program.
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4.8 Simulation Tips in Visual SWMM Hydrology
Sources and Solutions for

Runoff Layer Continuity Errors
Lower the wet time step in runoff. This time

step should be less than or equal to the
hyetograph time step.
The transition or the wet/dry time step should

not be much larger than the wet time step. An
error may arise if there is a big difference.
If you are modeling channels or pipes in the

runoff layer you may need to lower the time
step to control continuity errors.
The groundwater routine may be a source of

continuity error. It usually needs a smaller dry
time step than the surface runoff routine.
Your hyetograph time step may be too big for

certain runoff procedures such as SCS
hydrology. For example, one hour rainfall time
steps for a design storm.
Figure 20. Steps to take if the runoff continuity error is unacceptable. Time step control is
the main means of controlling continuity errors in the runoff layer of Visual SWMM.
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4.8.1 Import and Export Utilities

Visual SWMM/UDD can import XPX, ASCII, CSV, EPA SWMM data files for the population of a
global database. Results can be exported from:
• Customization of the Visual Hydro Access database for export to GIS etc.
• Export Cross Sections to HEC2 HEC-RAS
• DXF, DWG, DGN graphic import
• Import of database objects to be supported in future versions.
4.8.2 Flow Capacity Report

The Flow Capacity Report allows the user to solve for the flow characteristics in the street flow prism
or other open channel flow geometry. Since several surfaces may be shown on the profile the user is
asked to select one. The flow characteristics can be solved for one of the unknowns Flow, WSEL,
Slope or Manning’s n. Feature Names are used to decide which survey chain represents left and right
banks. The total discharge is computed from the total of left right and center flow. Note: This feature
is not intended for natural channel cross sections but a street cross section.
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The Flow Capacity Computation dialog is accessed after making an .EAR file using the commands Store X-
Section Scanlines and Store X-Sections from Scanlines and DTM. The saved X-Sections in the .EAR file can
be viewed using the command Edit/View X-Sections. After one or more X-Sections are shown on the screen
then the command Hydro=>Flow Computation can be invoked to bring up the Flow Capacity Computation
dialog. The commands Visual Hydrology and Inlet Spread Analysis are not accessible when viewing a cross
section. The purpose of this dialog is to calculate the flow in a road cross section not in a large natural channel.
Using the normal depth and Manning’s Equation the flow for a cross section is computed for any user defined
depth. Using the Top of Curb features for the left and right travel lanes the total street flow is also computed.
This hydro command will also provide reports that contain rating curves for left and right banks. Note: This
feature is intended more for roadway sections that open natural channels.
The variables used in this computation are:
Surface Name allows you to select one of the surfaces from the active cross section to perform the Flow
Capacity Computation.
Total Discharge is the sum of left and right flows for the entire cross section for a given WSEL. The flow units
are in cfs or cms.
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Left Bank contains all of the parameters to describe the flow in the Left Bank or travel lane. The normal depth
and Manning’s Equation is used in the Solve for one unknown marked by positioning the radio button.
Right Bank contains all of the parameters to describe the flow in the Right Bank or travel lane. The normal
depth and Manning’s Equation is used in the Solve for one unknown marked by positioning the radio button.
Flow is calculated or entered by the user in cfs or cms.
WSEL is calculated or entered by the user in ft or m.
Slope is calculated or entered by the user in ft/ft or m/m.
Manning’s n is calculated or entered. Typical roughness values can be researched from hydraulic references and
tables provided with Visual Hydro.
Velocity is calculated with units of ft/s or m/s.
Top of Curb organizes the results for flow at full curb depth.
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Inlet Capture and Street Flow
Chapter 5
Inlet Capture and Street Flow
5.1 What is Inlet Spread Analysis?
Ideally, all of the water that reaches an inlet during a storm would flow into that inlet. In reality,
different factors such as the cross sectional and longitudinal shape of the roadway surface, the type of
inlet, the rainfall intensity, and inlet clogging cause some of the water to either flow past the inlet or to
build up and spread around the inlet.
Inlet spread analysis is a CAiCE Visual Hydro tool that is used to analyze the extent to which
stormwater spreads around each inlet during a storm. It uses a Water Inlet Calculation Table that
defines the necessary information for each node, and generates results that include the following
information.
• How much of the water flow goes into each inlet.
• How much of the water flow bypasses each inlet.
• The amount of water that spreads on the surface around each inlet.
This information can then be used as input data for the Visual Hydrology process when designing the
conduits for the stormwater network to determine the optimum pipe sizes and ensure an adequate level
of service.
The inlet spread analysis utility is accessed with the command Hydro=>Inlet Spread Analysis, which
displays the Water Inlet Calculation Table dialog box shown below. This is not the entire table, as
moving the horizontal scroll bar accesses additional columns. The white columns in the table are for
user input items. The gray columns display results computed from that input. For a complete
description of each column, refer to the on line Help system.
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Inlet spread analysis can use either rational method hydrology or a user defined flow rate. All of the
input and output for inlet spread analysis is handled within this dialog box. The white columns are for
data items that you must enter, and results are tabulated in the gray columns. Each row of the table
corresponds to one inlet in the network. For each inlet you first define the hydrology characteristics.
This generates the flow rate to be captured. Based on the inlet configuration and type, some or all of
the flow is captured by that inlet.
The next set of columns defines the shape characteristics for the surface around the inlet, such as the
cross sectional slope and longitudinal grade. This enables the system to calculate the shape and extent
of the stormwater spread.
The “I” column in the table lets you define the rainfall intensity manually for each inlet. As an
alternative, you can also use an IDF table. To do so, turn the I, Intensity check box On, select the
Return Period, then click on the IDF Table button to select an existing IDF table or to build and
select a new one.
Once all of the necessary input has been entered, clicking the Compute button tabulates the results.
This tabulation will not occur unless all of the required data for each row is filled in correctly.
5.2 Defining a Network for the Table

There are three ways that you can define data for the table. You can enter all of the data manually,
load some of the data from a defined drainage network and enter the remaining data manually, or load
the data from a comma separated value (CSV) file. Each method is described more fully below.
Regardless of the method used, it is very important that the table contains a logical set of inlets in an
appropriate order. You will not be able to analyze a complete network that contains one or more
branches in a single run. The table should only be used for a sequence of nodes, where the overflow
from the first inlet flows towards the second, whose overflow flows towards the third, and so on. The
table entries should stop at any inlet that receives the overflow from two or more other inlets that are
on different branches.
Consider the schematic of a drainage network shown below. The first set of inlets to be entered into
the table should be nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4, in that order. After performing the computations, note the
overflow quantity for 4. Next, clear the table and enter inlets 5, 6, 7, 8, and 4 into the table. Perform
the computations, and again note down the overflow for node I4. Finally, clear the table again and
enter the data for nodes 4 and 9 through 14. Include the noted overflow amounts for node 4 from the
first two runs in the Additional Q column.
7
8
1 2 3 4 9 10 11 12 13 14
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5.2.1 Manually Defining and Editing the Network

To manually define the table, simply type the data for each inlet into the table in the appropriate order.
The Insert key on your keyboard is used to insert a blank row preceding the one currently highlighted.
You can also use the Delete key to delete the highlighted row. You can use the windows commands
CTRL-C and CTRL-V to copy and paste data from/to individual cells.
Once the data has been entered, you can save it to a file that can later be reloaded into the table. When
you click on the Report button, the Save Spread Analysis Data dialog box is displayed. Click the
SaveAs button under Comma Delimited Format, then specify the name of the file to be saved.
Loading data from a CSV file is described in section 5.2.3 below.
5.2.2 Loading from a Stored Network

If a drainage network has already been defined using the Drainage System dialog box (see sections 1,
2 and 3), you can load the node names from the network into the table by clicking the Load from
Network button. This will prompt you for the name of the network to load from, and automatically
enters the name of each node in the first column of the table. If you are using the horizontal alignment
and vertical profile to calculate the slopes and cross slopes then these profile names must be entered
before you load the network. The first row will not have slopes and cross slopes calculated so these
must be entered by the user.
Once loaded, you may need to delete part of the network for the reasons described in section 5.2
above. To remove a row, highlight it and hit the Delete key on your keyboard.
The S and Sx values represent the longitudinal and cross sectional slopes of the roadway surface at
each inlet. If you provide the name of the Horizontal Alignment and Vertical Profile in the Active
Geometry section of the dialog box, CAiCE will compute and set these values automatically when
you load nodes from a network.
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5.2.3 Loading from a CSV File

Data items for the table can be saved and loaded from an ASCII file of comma separated values, or a
CSV file. Each row of the spreadsheet should have a corresponding record in the CSV file; each
comma separated field in the file is loaded into the table columns in sequential order. The CSV file
can be created by a text editor or with a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. If you have
manually entered values into the table, you can also save the table contents to a CSV file as described
in section 5.2.1.
5.3 Selecting Rainfall Characteristics

The rainfall characteristics for the inlet-spread analysis is entered either as an intensity in the I column
of the table or checking on the I box at the bottom of the table. If the I box is checked on then the
return period and IDF Table must be entered.
5.3.1 Selecting the Return Period

Select the return period by using the selection box for Return Period at the bottom of the table. The
selected return period will determine along with the time of concentration the peak rainfall intensity
used for the inlet.
5.3.2 Selecting the IDF Table

Use the IDF Table=>File command to find the table idf.tbl on your computer. It is usually in the
caice\vhydro directory on your hard drive. An IDF file created by a user should be placed in the
same directory for future ease of retrieval.
#IDF DATATABLE
#First line must start with #IDF. This one is a comment line. Pl do not delete. Format of the
Duration (min) Frequency(years) -----> ascii idf.tbl
0.0000 1.0000 2.0000 5.0000 10.0000 25.0000 50.0000 100.0000 file. Use
5.0000 3.0657 3.9492 5.1150 5.7457 6.6154 7.7528 8.6173 notepad to
10.0000 2.3472 3.0213 3.9055 4.3823 5.0417 5.9028 6.5567 edit.
20.0000 1.7063 2.1945 2.8299 3.1720 3.6453 4.2630 4.7319
5.3.3 Creating or Modifying IDF Table Files

The format of the idf.tbl file is a simple ascii format as shown on the previous page. You can copy
this file and substitute your own IDF values to customize Visual Hydro to your state or region. Any
text editor will suffice to edit and save the new file.
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5.4 Defining Street Flow Geometry

The inlet-spread analysis is based on a simplified geometric model of the roadway surface around the
inlet. While this model may not truly represent the actual roadway geometry, it is sufficiently accurate
for the purpose of inlet spread estimation.
The input for each inlet includes an S value and a Sx value. S represents the average longitudinal
slope of the road (profile grade) between the previous and current inlets, and Sx represents the cross
sectional slope at the current inlet. In other words, the inlet is assumed to be at the edge of a street at a
point where the street profile has a constant grade and where the cross sectional slope is constant in
the region of the inlet. The change in grade through a vertical curve is not considered; the flow is
calculated as a constant grade between consecutive inlets. Also, the effect of changes in the cross
slope due to superelevation is assumed to be negligible
The S and Sx values can be entered manually, or in some cases computed automatically. If you
specify the name of a Horizontal Alignment and Vertical Profile in the dialog box, then load the
inlets from a predefined drainage network, CAiCE computes these values for you. The S value is
computed as the difference in elevation between two consecutive nodes divided by the horizontal
distance between the nodes, or
S = (Z of Previous Node - Z of Current Node) / (Distance between Nodes)
The Sx value is computed as the difference between the Vertical Profile elevation (at the inlet’s station
along the Horizontal Alignment) and the inlet elevation, divided by the offset distance of the inlet from
the alignment. Expressed algebraically, this is
Sx = (Z of Profile at Node Station – Z of Node) / (Offset of Node from Alignment)
Thus, the Sx calculation assumes that there is a constant slope between the horizontal alignment and
the inlet, and that the profile defines the elevation at the alignment. If these assumptions are not
correct, as might be the case on a divided road with a depressed median, you should adjust the slope
values manually.
5.5 Solving the Water Inlet Calculation Table

The water inlet calculation table is solved when the Compute button is used. If all of the table is not
filled out then the flows will not be computed.
5.6 Importing the Results

Save the file to an XPX file and then use the command Special=>Import Data to import the file in
the Visual SWMM module.
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5.7 Inlet Spread Analysis Example

In this example we will use the created network MYNET1 and predict the inlet flows using the
Hydro=>Inlet Spread Analysis command. The hydro network MYNET1 should have been created
as part of the MYTOOLS project in chapter 2 of this manual. It uses geometry chain or alignment
chain DMB465 as the basis of the hydro network. A vertical profile near the geometry chain
DMB465 should be created before using this example of the Inlet Spread Analysis. See other CAiCE
documentation and on-line help for instructions on making a vertical profile.
Before loading the network data define the Return Period, load the IDF Table, and define the name
of the horizontal alignment and vertical profile used in the calculations of the slopes and cross slopes.
If the name DMB465 and KC1 is not referenced then the slopes and cross slopes will not be calculated
when the network is loaded. Use the command Load From Network to load MYNET1.
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CAiCE Visual Hydro Hydro Design Examples
The network is loaded and the slope and cross slopes are entered from the program. Note: The values
for the first row are not correct and either this row must be deleted or the user must estimate the slope
and cross slope. If this is not done then the flows will not be calculated when the Compute button is
used.
Page 205
Enter the drainage area (DA), Time of concentration (Tc) for overland flow, Tc for inlet flow, and the
runoff coefficient in the left hand side of the table. If you have defined the rainfall intensity previously
the intensity should be calculated as you enter the required data row by row. Note: Type is inactive at
present.
On the right hand side of the table enter:
Rf or the Ratio of frontal Flow interception = 1 - 0.09*(Vel-Vo), but can be calculated using standard
Page 206
curves. Values must be between 0 and 1.0. For Velocities in the table less than 6 ft/s, Rf will be
greater than 0.5 (so, the min value of Rf increases with smaller velocity). For velocities less than 3
ft/s, Rf is close to 0.9 or 1.0. For velocities above 10 ft/s, Rf could be anywhere between 0 and 1.0. Rf
also depends on the type of inlet used.
Eo or the Ratio of frontal flow to total flow - Range between 0 and 1 for different values of W/T. For
W/T of 0.2, Eo is about 0.6 and increases with W/T.
La is the design length of curb opening inlet to be used and W is the lateral width of the curb opening.
Rf, Eo, La and W will not be required in future versions of Visual Hydro but will be a function of the
Type of Inlet.
Click on Compute to estimate the inflow to each inlet of the network. Note: No flows mean that a
value was not entered in every cell. Qi is the flow into the inlet. %int is the percent of the flow
captured by the inlet. CO is the carryover flow.
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Click on Report to save the CSV file for future use and the XPX file for import later into the Visual
SWMM module.
After using the command Run Design/Analysis in Visual Hydro use the command
Special=>Import=XPX to import the saved XPX file from the Inlet Spread Analysis to each node of
the MYNET1 model. Click on Select and then Import to import this data.
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The data is now imported as a constant inflow in each of the inlets of the network. Double click on
Node 1 to see the data fields in Visual SWMM.
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Using the command View=>Spatial Reports allows use to see on the screen the predicted constant
inflow at each inlet in the Visual SWMM module interface. These constant inflows were predicted by
the inlet spread analysis, saved to an XPX file, and then imported into the MYNET1 model. The
picture shown below was run with the Show Background command and the Draw and Draw Profile
buttons used in Visual Hydro.
Page 210

Visual Hydro Examples and Tutorials

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The Visual Solution

CAiCE Visual Hydro®

CAiCE Software Corporation

Office: (813) 620-1444

CAiCE Visual Hydro Examples and Tools

Introduction to CAiCE Visual Hydro .................................................................................................. 7

1.1 Description of the Introductory Guide ....................................................................................7

Visual Hydro Tools .............................................................................................................................. 59

2.7 Visual SWMM Theory.............................................................................................................78

Hydraulic Design Examples .............................................................................................................. 113

Hydrology Examples .......................................................................................................................... 181

4.1 Hydrology Examples..............................................................................................................181

4.8.1 Import and Export Utilities................................................................................................195

Inlet Capture and Street Flow .......................................................................................................... 199

5.1 What is Inlet Spread Analysis?.............................................................................................199

• A beginner to both CAiCE and Visual SWMM (henceforth called BC&V),

• A beginner to CAiCE but a user of Visual SWMM (henceforth called BC),

• A beginner to Visual SWMM but a user of CAiCE (henceforth called BV).

Ideal for BC . or Ideal for BV .

1.2 Applications of Visual Hydro

• Retention and Detention ponds.

• Flow over Berms, Dikes and Levees.

• Water quality simulation and BMP pollutant removal.

• Open Channel Systems and River modeling.

• Mixed open and closed conduit network.

• Golf Course Hydrology and Hydraulics.

• Interchanges and overpass drainage.

• City and town stormwater drainage master drainage plans.

• Subdivision drainage and Inlet Analysis.

• Sanitary Sewer Networks including force mains.

• Combined Sewer Networks with real time control.

4. Planned unit developments,

5. Master drainage plans,

6. Complex stormwater networks,

7. Complex sewerage networks,

8. Continuous water balance models of ponds, and

9. Water quality models of watersheds.

1.3 Hydrology, Hydraulics and 3-D Surface Modeling

• Annotated Profile Plotting,

• Spreadsheet Editing, and

1.4 Background of Visual Hydro

Evolution of the SWMM Model

EPA SWMM Figure 3. The SWMM model over time.

1.5 Evolution of the SWMM Model

1.6 Features and Components of Visual Hydro

1.6.1 Hydro Mapping and Plotting of Networks

• Definition of the location, size, and characteristics of pipes.

• 2D and 3D visualization of the drainage network.

• Spreadsheet editing of the network data.

• Plotting of the network on plan, profile, and cross section drawings.

• Pipe design (sizing) based on conduit surcharge.

• Calculation of the hydraulic grade line over time.

• Dynamic modeling of water flow through the system over time.

• Generation and storing of HGL and flow results.

• Generation of reports and graphs.

• Simulation of interconnected ponds and open channels in the drainage network.

1.6.3 Hydrology Data Input

• User selection of rainfall characteristics for design storms.

• Definition of infiltration characteristics for Horton and Green-Ampt.

• Defining watershed boundaries (in version 2 of Visual Hydro).

1.6.4 Hydrology Calculations

• Watershed modeling from a DTM.

• Calculations of runoff to inlets.