Evaluating Precipitation Options in GSSHA

CEEn-531 Dr. Nelson


Overview

The same types of options for defining spatial and temporal variations of rainfall input are used for distributed models like GSSHA.  The mechanics of how it is done are somewhat different, but the same general principles apply.  You should remember that GSSHA wants all rainfall data in mm and not inches, so you will have to do some conversions of your data values.

For this assignment you will need to get a basic model of GSSHA going.  While you can probably use one of the previously saved Judy's Branch projects, I recommend that you begin again from scratch (or at least from the basic delineated model that was suggested you save from the previous assignment).

To develop your basic GSSHA project:

Creating a GSSHA Gage Using a WMS Rain Gage Coverage

You can also create a WMS rain gage coverage that can be used to set up a GSSHA gage file.  To do this you can follow these steps:

  1. Right click on the coverages folder in WMS and create a new coverage.

  2. Make sure this coverage is a rain gage type coverage and create as you did in the previous homework assignment.

  3. Change the tool to select feature points and double click on the gage. Make sure that it is identified as a GSSHA gage.

  4. Define the rainfall depths and distributions.

  5. Go to the GSSHA Precipitation command and turn on Gage

  6. Select the WMS rain gage coverage, or event you wish to simulate.

  7. Save the GSSHA project

  8. Run GSSHA

Assignment

Once you have the basic setup of your GSSHA model established you should perform the following analyses (don't forget to enter rainfall depths in mm):

To turn in Now:

To turn in with Assignment 17 (but at least think about these now):