HEC-HMS

The Hydrologic Engineering Centers

Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS)

Summary of Topics - HECHMS

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 HECHMS

Running actual projects

Calibration to gage data

Castro Valley case study

Keegans example

Linkage with GIS/NEXRAD data (HEC GeoHMS)

The Hydrologic
Cycle
39
Moistureoverland

100
Precipitationonland
61
Evaporationfromland
Snow
melt
Surface
runoff

385
Precipitation
onocean

Precipitation
424
Evaporation
fromocean

Infiltration
Groundwater
Recharge

Wat
erta
ble
Groundwaterflow
Impervious

strata

38Surfacedischarge
1Groundwater
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 HEC1 of Use

Ease
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

EXAMPLE5.1
SmallWatershedExample(HEC1)
Asmallundevelopedwatershedhastheparameterslistedinthefollowingtables.Aunit
hydrographandMuskingumroutingcoefficientsareknownforsubbasin3,showninFig.
E5.1(a).TCandRvaluesforsubbasins1and2andassociatedSCScurvenumbers(CN)
areprovidedasshown.A5hrrainfallhyetographinin./hrisshowninFig.E5.1(b)fora
stormeventthatoccurredonJune19,1983.Assumethattherainfelluniformlyoverthe
watershed.UsetheinformationgiventodevelopaHEC1inputdatasettomodelthis
storm.RunthemodeltodeterminethepredictedoutflowatpointB.Notethatthissame
samplewillbeusedlaterwithHECHMSasExample5.2.
SUBBASIN
NUMBER
1
2
3
UHFOR
SUBBASIN3:

TC
(hr)
2.5
2.8

R
(hr)
5.5
7.5

SCSCURVE
NUMBER
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

Muskingumcoefficients:x=0.15,K=3hr,Area=3.3sqmi

Solution
Theinputdatasetisasfollows:
ID
****
EXAMPLE5.1
ID
****
ID
****
HEC1INPUTDATASET
ID
****
IT
60
60
19Jun83
1200
100
IO
4
KK
SUB1
KM
RUNOFFFROMSUBBASIN1
PI
0.2
1.5
2
1
0.5
BA
2.5
LS
66
0
UC
2.5
5.5
KK
SUB2
KM
RUNOFFFROMSUBBASIN2
BA
2.7
LS
58
0
UC
2.8
7.5
KK
A
KM
COMBINERUNOFFFROMSUB1WITHRUNOFFFROMSUB2ATA
HC
2
KKATOB
KM
MUSKINGUMROUTINGFROMATOB
RM
1
3
0.15
KK
SUB3
KM
RUNOFFFROMSUBBASIN3
BA
3.3
LS
58
0
UI
0
200
400
600
450
300
KK
B
KM
COMBINEFLOWFROMSUB3ANDROUTEDTOPOINTB
HC
2
ZZ

150

Program
Organization
Main project screen

Connects to all data and information through menus

Using HECHMS
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 Sub-Basin 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
ClarkAnalysis
Unit Hydrograph
Hydraulic
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
sub-basins

Reach
Routing
Flood routing
methods:
Simple Lag
Modified Puls
Muskingum
Muskingum Cunge
Kinematic Wave

HEC-HMS Methods
for
Stream
Hydraulic Flow
Methods - Uses partial form
of St Venant Equations
Routing
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
t

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/t - Q1)= (2S2/t + 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

IQ= dS
dt

LevelPoolReservoir

Q(weirflow)

Q(orificeflow)

S=f(Q)Q=f(H)
I
Orificeflow:

Orifice flow

Q=C*2gH
Q
I

Weir flows

WeirFlow:
Q=CLH3/2
Q

Inflow and
Outflow

Q
(
cf
s)

Inflow
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.

EvapotranspirationET
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 gagesobserved level data
to compare
computed and actual
results

Precipitation:
Gridded Weather Radar
Data
Datafrom 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/PRECIPINC/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 Plots
Sub-Basin
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 HECHMS

www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/softw
are_distrib/hechms/hechmsprogram.html
(the users manual can be downloaded from
this site)

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