HEC-HMS

The Hydrologic Engineering Centers

Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS)

Summary of Topics - HEC-HMS

Premier Hydrologic Model Today (HEC)

Performs RF-RO Calculations for Watersheds

Basic Input and Output Options

Precipitation Options

Unit Hydrograph Options

Flood Routing Option

Creating and Viewing Results and Graphs

Execution of HEC-HMS

Running actual projects

Calibration to gage data

Castro Valley case study

Keegans example

Linkage with GIS/NEXRAD data (HEC Geo-HMS)

The Hydrologic Cycle

r e

p di

a t

39
Moisture over land
l a n

61
Evaporation from land

385
Precipitation
on ocean

Snow
melt
Surface
runoff

Precipitation
424
Evaporation
from ocean

Infiltration
Groundwater
Recharge

Wat
er

t ab l
e

Groundwater flow
Impervious

strata

38

Surface discharge
1 Groundwater
discharge

Uses of the HEC Program

Models the rainfall-runoff process in a watershed
based on watershed physiographic data

Offers a variety of modeling options in order to

compute UH for basin areas.
Offers a variety of options for flood routing along
streams.
Capable of estimating parameters for calibration of
each basin based on comparison of computed data to
observed data

HEC-1 Program History

HEC-1 - History of Model Development
Separate Programs: 1967 by Leo R. Beard
Major Revision and Unification: 1973
Second Major Revision: 1981 (Dam Breach,
Kinematic Wave)
PC Versions: 1984 (partial), 1988 (full)

HEC-1/HMS Program History

Current Versions: 1991, 1998

1991 Version Provides Extended Memory Support

1998 Version 4.1 is Final Release

HEC NexGen Project Begins 1990

(RAS, HMS, FDA)
HEC-HMS - New GUI and Updates
First Release April 1998
Version 1.1 Released April 1999
Current Version 2.0.3

HEC-HMS Background
Purpose of HEC-HMS
Improved User Interface, Graphics, and
Reporting
Improved Hydrologic Computations
Integration of Related Hydrologic Capabilities

Importance of HEC-HMS
Foundation for Future Hydrologic Software
Replacement for HEC-1

Improvements over HEC-1

Ease of Use
projects divided into three components
user can run projects with different parameters
instead of creating new projects
hydrologic data stored as DSS files
capable of handling NEXRAD-rainfall data and
gridded precipitation

Converts HEC-1 files into HMS files

HEC-HMS Availability
Available Through HEC Vendors
Available at HEC Web Site:
http://www.wrc-hec.usace.army.mil
Public Domain Program
No Copyright on Software
No Copyright on HEC Documentation

Special Training Available

EXAMPLE 5.1
Small Watershed Example (HEC-1)
A small undeveloped watershed has the parameters listed in the following tables. A unit
hydrograph and Muskingum routing coefficients are known for subbasin 3, shown in Fig.
E5.1(a). TC and R values for subbasins 1 and 2 and associated SCS curve numbers (CN)
are provided as shown. A 5-hr rainfall hyetograph in in./hr is shown in Fig. E5.1(b) for a
storm event that occurred on June 19, 1983. Assume that the rain fell uniformly over the
watershed. Use the information given to develop a HEC-1 input data set to model this
storm. Run the model to determine the predicted outflow at point B. Note that this same
sample will be used later with HEC-HMS as Example 5.2.
SUBBASIN
NUM BER
1
2
3
UH FOR
SUBBAS IN 3:

TC
(hr)
2.5
2.8
--

R
(hr)
5.5
7.5
--

SCS CURVE
NUM BER
66
58
58

% IMPERVIOUS
(%)
0
0
0

AREA
(mi2)
2.5
2.7
3.3

TIME (hr)

U (cfs)

200

400

600

450

300

150

Muskingum coefficients: x = 0.15, K = 3 hr, Area = 3.3 sq mi

Solution
The input data set is as follows:
ID
****
EXAMPLE 5.1
ID
****
ID
****
HEC-1 INPUT DATA SET
ID
****
IT
60
60
19-Jun-83
1200
100
IO
4
KK
SUB1
KM
RUNOFF FROM SUBBASIN 1
PI
0.2
1.5
2
1
0.5
BA
2.5
LS
66
0
UC
2.5
5.5
KK
SUB2
KM
RUNOFF FROM SUBBASIN 2
BA
2.7
LS
58
0
UC
2.8
7.5
KK
A
KM
COMBINE RUNOFF FROM SUB 1 WITH RUNOFF FROM SUB 2 AT A
HC
2
KKA TO B
KM
MUSKINGUM ROUTING FROM A TO B
RM
1
3
0.15
KK
SUB3
KM
RUNOFF FROM SUBBASIN 3
BA
3.3
LS
58
0
UI
0
200
400
600
450
300
KK
B
KM
COMBINE FLOW FROM SUB 3 AND ROUTED TO POINT B
HC
2
ZZ

150

Program Organization
Main project screen

Connects to all data and information through menus

Using HEC-HMS
Three components

Basin model - contains the elements of the

basin, their connectivity, and runoff

parameters
Meteorologic Model - contains the rainfall and
evapotranspiration data
Control Specifications - contains the start/stop
timing and calculation intervals for the run

Project Definition

May contain several basin models, meteorologic

models, and control specifications
User can select a variety of combinations of the three
models in order to see the effects of changing
parameters on one subbasin

Basin Model
Basin Model

Based on Graphical User

Interface (GUI)
Click on elements from left and
drag into basin area
Can import map files from GIS
programs to use as background
Actual locations of elements do
not matter, just connectivity and
runoff parameters

Basin Model Elements

subbasins- contains data for subbasins (losses,

UH transform, and baseflow)
reaches- connects elements together and
contains flood routing data
junctions- connection point between elements
reservoirs- stores runoff and releases runoff at a
specified rate (storage-discharge relation)

Basin Model Elements

sinks- has an inflow but no outflow

sources- has an outflow but no inflow

diversions- diverts a specified amount of runoff

to an element based on a rating curve - used for
detention storage elements or overflows

Basin Model Parameters

Loss rate, UH transform, and baseflow methods

Abstractions (Losses)
Interception Storage

Depression Storage
Surface Storage
Evaporation

Infiltration
Interflow
Groundwater and Base Flow

Loss Rate methods

Green & Ampt
Initial & constant
SCS curve no.
Gridded SCS curve no.
Deficit/Constant
No loss rate

Initial and Uniform Loss Computation

Initial Loss Applied at Beginning of Storm
Estimated from Previous or SCS data
Sand: 0.80-1.50 inches; Clay: 0.40-1.00 inches

Uniform Loss Applied Throughout Storm

Also Estimated From Previous Studies or SCS
Data
Sand: 0.10-0.0 in/hr; Clay 0.05-0.15 in/hr

HEC-HMS Loss Entry Window

Rainfall/Runoff Transformation

Unit Hydrograph
Distributed Runoff
Grid-Based Transformation
Methods:

Clark
Snyder
SCS
Input Ordinates
ModClark
Kinematic Wave

Unit Hydrograph
Definition:

Sub-Basin Surface Outflow Due to Unit (1-in)

Rainfall Excess Applied Uniformly Over a SubBasin in a Specified Time Duration

Duration of UH:

HEC-HMS Sets Duration Equal to Computation

Interval

Synthetic Unit Hydrographs

Computed from Basin Characteristics
HEC- HMS Synthetic Unit Hydrographs

SCS Dimensionless Unit graph

Clark Unit Hydrograph (TC & R)
Snyder Unit Hydrograph
User-Defined Input Unit Hydrograph
ModClark Unit Hydrograph

Clark Unit Hydrograph

Computation

Estimating Time of Concentration

for Clark Unit Hydrograph
Hydraulic Analysis Method

Compute Travel Time in Open Channels and Storm

Sewers based on Flow Velocities
Compute Reservoir Travel Time from Wave Velocity

Overland Flow Equations

Kerby Method
Kirpich Method
Overton & Meadows
SCS TR-55 Method for Shallow Concentrated Flow

Baseflow Options
recession
constant
monthly
linear reservoir
no baseflow

Stream Flow Routing

Simulates Movement of Flood Wave
Through Stream Reach
Accounts for Storage and Flow Resistance
Allows modeling of a watershed with subbasins

Reach Routing
Flood routing
methods:
Simple Lag

Modified Puls
Muskingum
Muskingum Cunge
Kinematic Wave

HEC-HMS Methods for

Stream Flow Routing

Hydraulic Methods - Uses partial form of St

Venant Equations
Kinematic Wave Method
Muskingum-Cunge Method

Hydrologic Methods
Muskingum Method
Storage Method (Modified Puls)
Lag Method

Effects of Stream Flow Routing

Avg Inflow - Avg Outflow = dS/dt

Storage S

Inflow
Outflow
Dt

Modified Puls (Storage)

Stream Flow Routing Method
Storage-Indication Relationship:

I - Q = (dS/dt)
Averaging at two points in time: 1 and 2

I1 + I2 + (2S1/Dt - Q1)= (2S2/Dt + Q2)

HEC-HMS Stream Flow Routing

Data Window

Storage-Discharge Relationships

Stream Flow Diversions

Diversion Identification
Maximum Volume of Diversion (Optional)
Maximum Rate of Diversion (Optional)
Diversion Rating Table
Stream Flow Rates Upstream of Diversion
Corresponding Diversion Rates

Stream Flow Diversions

Flow is allowed to move from one channel to
another via a side weir or flow across a low
divide
Weir
Diverted Q

Flow increases until a fixed level and then a

flow diversion table determines rate through
the weir or across the divide

Reservoir Routing
Developed Outside HEC-HMS
Storage Specification Alternatives:
Storage versus Discharge
Storage versus Elevation
Surface Area versus Elevation

Discharge Specification Alternatives:

Spillways, Low-Level Outlets, Pumps

Dam Safety: Embankment Overflow, Dam Breach

Reservoirs
Pond storage with
outflow pipe

I - Q = dS
dt

Level Pool Reservoir

Q (we ir flow)

Q (orifice flow)
S = f(Q)

Q = f(H)

I
Orifice flow:

Orifice flow

Q= C*

2gH

Q
I

Weir flows

Weir Flow:
Q = CLH3/2
Q

Inflow
Q (cfs)

Inflow and Outflow

I=Q

Outflow

time

Reservoir Data Input

Initial Conditions to Be Considered

Inflow = Outflow
Initial Storage Values
Initial Outflow
Initial Elevation

Elevation Data Relates to Both Storage/Area

and Discharge
HEC-1 Routing Routines with Initial Conditions
and Elevation Data can be Imported as
Reservoir Elements

Reservoir Data Input Window

Meteorologic Model
Meteorologic Model
Precipitation
user hyetograph
user gage weighting
inverse-distance gage
weighting

gridded precipitation
frequency storm
standard project storm Eastern U.S.

Evapotranspiration-ET
monthly average,
no evapotranspiration

Precipitation
Historical Rainfall Data
Recording Gages
Non-Recording Rainfall Gages

Design Storms
Hypothetical Frequency Storms
Corps Standard Project Storm
Probable Maximum Precipitation

Gage Data
Gage Data

(from project definition screen)

Precipitation gagesprecipitation data for

use with meteorologic
models
Stream gages- observed
level data to compare
computed and actual
results

Precipitation:
Gridded Weather Radar Data
Data from National Weather Service
NexRAD program, Doppler Radar

Data must be manipulated and stored in DSS file

format
Grids are HRAP (NWS) or SHG (HEC)
HRAP uses spherical projections and generalized earth
radius values
SHG uses Albers Equal Area projections
Grids cover about 1 square kilometer

Historical raw data may not be archived

Sources of Rainfall
Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF)
East of 105th Meridian (Denver)
NWS HYDRO-5 (5 minutes to 60 minutes)
NWS TP-40 (2 hours to 24 hours) - 1961
NWS TP-49 (2 days to 10 days)

West of 105th Meridian

NOAA Atlas 2 (Separate Volumes for Each

State)

Input and Output Files

project-name.HMS: List of models, descriptions and
project default method options

basin-model-name.BASIN: Basin model data,

including connectivity information

precipitation-model-name.PRECIP: Precipitation
model data

control-specifications- name.CONTROL: Control

specifications

run-name.LOG: Messages generated during execution

of run

project-name.RUN: List of runs, including most

recent execution time

Input and Output Files

project-name.DSS: DSS file containing basin model

data such as computed hydrographs and storage

discharge relationships
project-name.DSC: List of files contained in DSS file
project-name.OUT: Log of operations for the DSS file
project-name.MAP: Coordinate point file for subbasin
boundaries and channel location
project-name.GAGE: Listing of gages available for use
in the project
HMStemp.TMP: Echo listing of imported HEC-1 model

Data Storage System (DSS)

Multiple time series or relational data sets
Each data set or record has a unique pathname/Castro
Valley/Fire Dept/PRECIP-INC/16Jan197/10min/Obs/

Pathnames Consist of Parts A through F

Part A: General name, project name
Part B: Specific name, or control point
Part C: Data type (PRECIP-INC, PRECIP-CUM,
FLOW, STORAGE, etc.)
Part D: Start Date
Part E: Time interval
Part F: User specified

The HEC-HMS Options

Precipitation Option (6 available)
Loss Computation (5 available)
Runoff Transform Computation (6 available)
Routing Computation (7 available)
Over 6 x 5 x 6 x 7 = 1,260 Combinations
Subbasin
routing reach

Control Specifications
Control Specifications - Start/Stop/Time Interval

Running a project
User selects the
1. Basin model
2. Meteorologic model
3. Control ID for the
HMS run

Viewing Results

To view the results: right-click on any basin element,

results will be for that point
Display of results:
hydrograph- graphs outflow vs. time
summary table- gives the peak flow and time of peak
time-series table- tabular form of outflow vs. time

Comparing computed and actual results: plot

observed data on the same hydrograph to by selecting a
discharge gage for an element

Viewing Results

hydrograph

HEC-HMS Output
1.

Tables
Summary
Detailed (Time Series)

2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

Hyetograph Plots
Sub-Basin Hydrograph Plots
Routed Hydrograph Plots
Combined Hydrograph Plots
Recorded Hydrographs - comparison

Viewing Results

Summary table
Time series table

HEC-HMS Output
Sub-Basin Plots
Runoff Hydrograph
Hyetograph
Abstractions
Base Flow

HEC-HMS Output
Junction Plots
Tributary Hydrographs
Combined Hydrograph
Recorded Hydrograph

Purpose of Calibration
Can Compute Sub-Basin Parameters
Loss Function Parameters
Unit Hydrograph Parameters

Can Compute Stream Flow Routing

Parameters
Requires Gage Records

FINALLY - information on HEC-HMS

www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/software_
distrib/hec-hms/hechmsprogram.html
(the users manual can be downloaded from this
site)

www.dodson-hydro.com/download.htm#
Electronic_Documents
Available on the laboratory computers