FLO-2D Training For

Technical Reviewers

Thomas R. Loomis, P.E., RLS, CFM

Alejandro Riano, E.I.T., CFM
June 7th 2011
Agenda

1. Introduction to FLO-2D trl

2. User Manuals trl
3. Programs and Data Requirements ar
4. Break
Agenda

5. Modeling Process, Input and Output ar

6. FLO-2D Review Guidelines trl
7. Modeling Review Goals and Priorities tl
8. Questions and Answers
1. Introduction to FLO-2D
Introduction to FLO-2D

• Model Features
• Assumption and Limitations
• Model theory
• How FLO-2D works
• New Features with 2009.06
• What is coming in 2011
FLO-2D Model Features
• Physical process model
• Conserves volume and reports on it

• Combined hydrologic and hydraulic model

FLO-2D Model Features
• Unconfined flooding with no boundary
conditions or hot starts

• Routes entire hydrograph

• Variable time steps enable fast simulations

Model Assumptions and
Limitations
• Primary assumptions and limitations involve
spatial and temporal resolution of the grid
system
• Each grid element is represented by a single
elevation, n-value and flow depth
• Steady flow for the duration of the time step
Model Assumptions and
Limitations
• Channel grid elements are represented by
one-dimensional channel geometry and
roughness
• 1-dimensional channel flow (no secondary
currents, no vertical velocity distributions)
• Rapidly varying flow, such as hydraulic jumps
or shock waves, is not simulated
Modeling Solution

• Quasi two-dimensional solution.

• The momentum equation is solved by
computing the average flow velocity
across a grid element boundary one
direction at a time.
How FLO-2D works
• Velocity across the
boundary is
computed by the
momentum
equation.
How FLO-2D works
• Discharges are computed
across the grid element
boundaries.
• Psuedo 2-D model:
During a time step, the
discharge flux in all 8-
directions for each grid
element is calculated one
direction at a time.
Continuity Eqn:
Sfx = friction slope
S0x = bed slope
i = Excess rainfall
intensity
Momentum Eqn: h = flow depth
Vx = depth-averaged
velocity

Pressure Convective Local

Gradient Acceleration Acceleration

Kinematic Wave = Bed Slope term only

Diffusive Wave = Bed Slope + Pressure Gradient
Full Dynamic Wave = All terms
Modeling Solution

• The full dynamic wave equation is a

second order, non-linear, partial
differential equation.
• The average flow geometry, roughness
and slope between two grid elements
are computed.
Modeling Theory

• The flow depth h for computing the

velocity across a grid boundary for the
next time step (i+1) is estimated from
the previous time step i using a linear
estimate (the average depth between
two elements).
Modeling Theory
• The first estimate of the velocity is computed
using the diffusive wave equation. The only
unknown variable is the velocity for overland,
channel or street flow.
• The predicted diffusive wave velocity for the
current time step is used as a seed in the
Newton-Raphson solution to solve the full
dynamic wave form of the momentum
equation for the solution velocity.
Modeling Theory
• The discharge Q across the boundary is
computed by multiplying the velocity by the
cross sectional flow area. For overland flow,
the flow width is adjusted by the width
reduction factors (WRFs).
• The incremental discharges for the time step
across the eight boundaries (or upstream and
downstream channel elements) are summed.
Modeling Theory
• The change in volume (net discharge x time
step) is distributed over the available storage
area within the grid or channel element to
determine an incremental increase in the flow
depth.
• The numerical stability criteria is then
checked for the new grid element flow depth.
Modeling Theory
• If any of the stability criteria are exceeded,
the simulation time is reset to the previous
simulation time, the time step increment is
reduced, all the previous time step
computations are discarded and the velocity
computations begin again.
• The simulation progresses with increasing
time steps until the stability criteria are
exceeded.
Modeling Theory
• The FLO-2D flood routing scheme proceeds
on the basis that the time step is sufficiently
small to ensure numerical stability (i.e. no
numerical surging).
• The key to efficient finite difference flood
routing is that numerical stability criteria
limits the time step to avoid surging and yet
allows large enough time steps to complete
the simulation in a reasonable time.
Modeling Theory
• FLO-2D has a time step that varies depending on
whether the numerical stability criteria are
exceeded or not.
• The numerical stability criteria are checked for the
every grid element on every time step to ensure
that the solution is stable.
• If the numerical stability criteria are exceeded, the
time step is decreased and all the previous
hydraulic computations for that time step are
discarded.
Modeling Theory Summary
• Full dynamic wave form of the momentum equation
• Central difference – finite difference routing scheme
• Uses Newton-Raphson numerical method to
determine the roots for the second-order, non-linear,
partial differential equation
• Time steps increment/decrement based on numerical
stability criteria
• Separate channel – floodplain stability criteria
• Unlimited array sizes (Data Input Manual List)
FLO-2D Primary Attributes
• 2-D overland unconfined flow in 8-directions
• Channels: rectangular, trapezoidal or
surveyed cross sections
• Computes channel-floodplain exchange flow
• Floodplain/channel rainfall, infiltration and
evaporation
FLO-2D Primary Attributes
• Evaluates development effects on storage
and flow path
• Models 1-D street flow and levees
• Simulates sediment transport and mud/debris
flows
• Hydraulic structures: bridges, culvert, weirs –
rating tables
Required Data Base

• Digitized topographic map or DTM of

the flow surface
• Hydrology – rainfall and inflow
hydrographs
• For Channel option – cross section
surveys
Features for Version 2009.06

• MODFLOW surface/groundwater interface

• RiverFLO-2D in-channel 2-D model
• Optimized for 32- and 64-bit multiple
processors
• Levee fragility curves - dam/levee breach
erosion
Features for Version 2009.06

• Two new sediment transport equations (9

total)
• Enhanced HEC-RAS project data integration
• Watershed delineation
• Many new GDS & Mapper Features
Features for Version 2009.06

• Freq Plot Program

• NEXRAD rainfall modeling
• Time depth plots for dam breach
• Project output analysis reporting
• Improved error messaging
What’s coming for FLO-2D
• Speed enhancements:
– Geospatial connections replacing grid element
neighbor search – eliminate the FPLAIN.DAT file.
– Parallelization using:
• multiple processor cores
• GPU (graphics processing units).

• Switching to OpenMP (Open Multi-Processing)

from ESRI Map Objects.
What’s coming for FLO-2D

• Georeferenced components.
• Inset multiple grid sizes (multiples of 2, 4, 16,
etc).
• Volume rating curve for each grid element.
• Single numerical stability criteria.
What’s coming for FLO-2D

• Linked to XP Software Storm Drain model (XP

– SWMM) at runtime.
• Generalized culvert equations
– Calculate culvert flow without a rating table.
– Discharges computed from DOT equations
– The computation will assess both inlet and outlet
control and the transition between them
What’s coming for Mapper/GDS

• Mapper:
– Complete re-write using OpenMP.
– All FLO-2D output variables can be controlled and
plotted in a GIS environment.
– Temporal animations of any variable.
• GDS
– Updated to include new FLO-2D parameters.
– Thalweg watercourse smoothing.
When to use a FLO-2D model
• Whenever the flow volume determines the
area of inundation, i.e.:
– Unconfined flow or distributary flow
– Very flat topography
– Split flow (channel or floodplain)
– Combined hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
– Routing of flood hydrographs
– Flood wave attenuation
2. User Manuals
Manuals

• FLO-2D Reference Manual

• Data Input Manual
• GDS Manual
• Mapper Manual
• MODFLO-2D
• RiverFLO-2D
 GDS, FLO-2D and Mapper GIS
Integration
GDS
Floenvir
*.DAT FILES
Profiles

FLO-2D *.OUT FILES

(FLO.EXE)

PLOTS,
MAPPER /
MAPS
Shapefiles/ Mapper NET
Grid files
Manuals Location
• Located in :
C:\Program Files\FLO-2D\flo_help\manuals
FLO-2D Reference Manual
• Discusses the physical process of
flooding
• Model theory
• Finite difference algorithms
• Model assumptions and limitations
• Potential flood scenarios
• Reference material
GDS Manual

• Grid Development System (GDS) is a

GIS integrated software tool used to
facilitate the creation of data needed to
run a FLO-2D model.
• Includes detailed procedures to develop
a FLO-2D project
Mapper Manual

• Mapper is a Post-Processor Program

that creates maps and other plots of
the FLO-2D model results
• Includes detailed procedures for
creating plots, hazard maps, flood
inundation hazard maps, etc.
Data Input Manual
• This manual describes the FLO-2D data
variables and their format
• Description of input and output files
• FLO-2D data consists of ASCII files organized
by model components
• FLO-2D data files can be edited using ASCII
editors such as MS Wordpad, TextPad, etc.
3. Programs and Data
Requirements
Pre-Processors

• GUI
• GDS
• FLOENVIR
• PROFILES
Pre-Processors (Cont)
GUI – Interface that facilitates the data input and
links to pre-processors and post-processors.
GDS – creates and edits the grid attributes
FLOENVIR – edits the system attributes –
becoming obsolete (Not covered in the training)
PROFILES - plots water surface and bed profiles,
adjusts channel bed elevation and channel
depths, interpolates slope and cross sections
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Loads all .dat files
• Text interface with
such files
• Allows ASCII file
editing
• Links to Preprocessor
and Post-porcessors
• Executes FLO-2D
Grid Development System (GDS)
• Graphical Interface
• Facilitates data input for FLO-2D model
• Creates FLO-2D grid system
• Interpolates grid elevation from DTM data
Grid Development System (GDS)
• Imports aerial photos to help define the grid
boundary and other components or grid
attributes
• Input/edit hydrographs and assign them to grid
elements
• Creates FLO-2D components: Channels, levees,
etc.
Postprocessors
• MAPPER
– Is the primary program to display FLO-2D results

• MAXPLOT
– Generates plots from FLO-2D results

• HYDROG
– Plots the hydrograph for every channel element and floodplain cross section

• PROFILES
– Plots channel water surface and bed slopes
Mapper Features
• View:
– Ground surface elevations
– Maximum water surface elevations
– Flow depths
• Max & final for floodplain, Max for channel and
streets. Combined floodplain and channel
depths
• Grid depth, contours, or shaded contours
Mapper Features
• View:
– Flow velocity
• Max & final for floodplain, Max for channel
• Grid velocity, contours, or shaded contours
• Velocity vectors
– Hazard maps (no, not the Duke boys home)
Mapper Features
• View:
– Time to:
• 1 ft, 2ft, and max depth
• Grid time, contours and shaded contours
– Other variables
• Inundation duration, impact force
• Static pressure, specific energy
Mapper Features
• Tools:
• Interpolate to DTM points
• Create area of inundation layer
• Plot flow depth profiles
• Estimate flood damages

• Creates ESRI shape files for each

variable
MaxPlot

• Quickest way to view output results

• View:
– Max and final floodplain depths and
velocities
– Max specific energy, impact and static
pressure
– Floodplain depth duration
MAXPLOT

• Time based animations:

– Maximum depth
– Velocity vectors
HYDROG

• Plot Hydrographs:
– Floodplain cross sections
– Channel hydrographs for each cross
section
• Compute average channel hydraulics
between specific channel elements for a
given discharge
Profiles

• Both a pre- and post-processor

• Pre-processor:
– Management and editing of 1D channel
cross sections
– Interpolation of surveyed cross sections
Profiles

• Post-processor:
– Plot predicted channel water surface
profiles and existing ground
– Plot discharge as a function of channel
distance
– Plot final bed elevation profiles and cross
sections for sediment transport runs
 Basic Data Requirements
REQUIRED
• Terrain elevations (DTM, ArcInfo ASCII Grid file, Point Shape
file or Map digitizing);
• Hydrographs or rainfall
OPTIONAL DATA
• Manning’s roughness coefficients shape files;
• Soil and land use shape files and tables for automatic Green-
Ampt parameter computation;
• Aerial photographs as geo-referenced images: BMP, JPEG,
ArcInfo INFO Grid, TIFF, etc.
FLO-2D Grid Element Attributes
• Grid Element Number (ID)
• Eight directions
• Elevation
• Manning’s-n
• Inflow-Outflow
• Channels
FLO-2D Grid Element Attributes
• Multiple-channels
• Streets
• Levees
• Infiltration
• Buildings (ARF-WARF)
• Rainfall
FLO-2D Grid Element
Terrain Data
• Is an ASCII file with a series of points
that defines the x,y,z surface of the
model which can be generated from
mass points and break line data.
• Another way to get the terrain is to
develop an ASCII grid. Requires GIS
and 3-D analyst to transform the TIN to
an ASCII grid
Grid Size Selection
• Ideally as small as possible.
• Balance between model run time and
accuracy of results.
• Surface characteristics.
– Must adequately simulate the major conveyance
features.
– Storm frequency/extent of flooding.
Grid Size Selection
• Accuracy of topographic mapping
– Ask the mapper what is the smallest grid
size the mapping dataset will support for a
DEM.
– Pull cross sections of main channels from
tin and from proposed grid size DEM.
Compare hydraulic characteristics.
Grid Size Selection
• Balance between modeling inset 1-D
channels in combination with larger
grids for overbank flow and smaller grid
size
• Bottom line. There is no “Rule of
Thumb.”
• Requires careful examination of project
goals and ability to meet them with
model results.
 Creation of FLO-2D Grid
System

• Input the terrain elevation data (DTM points) or

ASCII grid;
• Create base grid
• Define project boundaries (polygon or element-
by-element)
• Interpolate the digital terrain elevation data
 DTM data
• The DTM data can be space or “,” delimited ASCII
file format listing the coordinates and elevation of
each point, e.g.:
Y-Coordinate Elevation

X-Coordinate
6413334.59 1936112.79 81.81
6413388.62 1936112.00 81.57
6413500.78 1936108.47 81.29
6413664.70 1936102.41 80.95
6413784.88 1936094.97 80.75
 Interpolate the digital terrain
elevation data

Elev = 4539.23.
• Flow depth
• • Elevation
depth = 2.16
n = 0.047 • n-value

The floodplain topography is a piecewise constant function.

Terrain elevation, Manning’s n and flow depth are constant
over each grid element.
 Interpolation algorithm
• Inverse distance weighting
• DTM points are searched over an area proportional to the
grid element size ΔX (radius of interpolation Ri = i ΔX)
• At least the minimum number of DTM points (MinN) are
used to determine grid element elevation
• If there are not enough points inside search area, Ri is
increased until at least MinN points are found
• All points inside Ri are used in the interpolation
• Filtering (user defined difference or standard deviation
difference from mean)
Available DTM Points for
Interpolation
POSSIBLE CASES

• Many DTM points in grid element

• Less than MinN
• None
Enough
DTM
points
Ri = 1
in grid
element
 NDTM
1
Zj n
j 1 rij
Z NDTM
1
n
j 1 rij
 Ri = 2

Less than
Minimum
DTM Ri = 1
points
in grid
element
Filtering
Importing images

• GDS can import geo-referenced images

• Raster image + world file
• World file contain pixel size and
coordinates
• *. JPG image
• *.JPGW world file
Break
4. Modeling Process, Input
and Output
Model Perception
Description - Leonard Bernstein with
television camera. Leonard
Bernstein with members of the
Philharmonic rehearsing for a
television broadcast, circa 1958.
Bert Bial, New York Philharmonic
Archives.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B
ernstein_with_TV_Camera.jpg
Modeling Process
• Objectives • Boundaries
• Budget • Grid Size
• Constraints • Parameters

Mapping Input
Data set files

Field Output
• Flood, Aerial Photos Work Files
• Field Gages
• Flood Frequency • Numerical stability
Analysis • Hydrographs
• Flood complaints • Sound results
Review Process
Results
Model Requirements Model Review
Interpretation

Objective Input Files Floodplain Delineation

Set Base Flood

Study Area vs. Model
Output Files Elevations and Flood
Area
Profiles

Development of Model
Data Availability Model Verification for Plans, Alternatives,
Future Conditions, etc.
Model Requirements
• Study Objective
• Study area vs.
model area
• Data Requirements
• Parameters
FLO-2D and Study
Boundaries
FLO-2D and Study
Boundaries
Digital Terrain Model
Soil Survey Data
Topographic Mapping Detail
 Land Use Table
FLO-2D Land Use Table for GDS

CLASS_ID Type_Class Descriptio IA RTIMP VC InitSat n

0 Natural High Vegetation Trees 0.10 0 100 dry 0.065
1 Natural Medium Vegetation Shrubs and brush 0.10 0 100 dry 0.055
2 Natural Low Vegetation Grass and low shrubs 0.10 0 60 dry 0.055
3 Urban High Vegetation Trees 0.10 0 100 normal 0.065
4 Urban Medium Vegetation Shrubs and bushes 0.10 0 100 normal 0.055
5 Urban Low Vegetation Lawns and low shrubs 0.10 0 60 normal 0.055
6 Mountain Bare Ground Mountain bare ground 0.25 0 0 dry 0.050
7 Hillslope Bare Ground Hillslope Bare Ground 0.15 0 0 dry 0.045
8 Desert Rangeland Bare Ground Desert Rangeland Bare Ground 0.35 0 0 dry 0.040
9 Urban Bare Ground Urban Bare Ground 0.20 0 0 dry 0.035
10 Desert Landscaping permeable Desert landscaping without an impermeable membrane
0.20 0 0 normal 0.040
11 Desert Landscaping impermeable Desert landscaping with impermeable membrane0.10 95 0 saturated 0.040
12 Wash Bottom Natural wash and river bottoms 0.10 0 0 dry 0.035
13 Concrete Sidewalks, curb, patios 0.05 98 0 normal 0.020
14 Asphalt Streets and parking lots 0.05 95 0 normal 0.024
15 Buildings Physical structures that are flow obstructions 0.05 95 0 normal 0.024
16 Shade Structures Parking covers, canopies 0.05 98 0 normal 0.035
17 Water Lakes, canals, ponds 0.00 100 0 saturated 0.040
18 Swimming Pools Pools 3.00 100 0 saturated 0.040
19 Rock 100 Large extents of solid rock outcrop 0.25 95 0 dry 0.060
20 Rock 85 Broken fractured rock outcrop 0.25 80 0 dry 0.050
21 Unpaved road Gravel and dirt roadways and shoulders 0.10 50 0 dry 0.030
Surface Features using
Feature Analyst
Other Sources

• NOAA Atlas 14
• NexRad Data
• Field Observations and Measurements
• Stream and Rain Gages
• Indirect Methods
Model Review: Input Files
Control Files
- CONT.DAT
- TOLER.DAT
Spatially Varied
- FPLAIN
- OUTFLOW
- HYSTRUCT
- LEVEE
Input Files
In order to run a basic model 6 input files are required:
– FPLAIN.DAT
– CADPTS.DAT
– CONT.DAT
– TOLER.DAT
– INFLOW.DAT or RAIN.DAT
– OUTFLOW.DAT
FLO-2D has up to 19 input files that can be used to
develop a model.
Demonstration of Control
Files
• CONT.DAT
• TOLER.DAT
Elevation
Elevation Comparison
Surface Profiles Comparison
Surface Profiles Comparison
Surface Profiles Comparison
Surface Profiles Comparison
Surface Characterization
Surface Soil Parameters
Input File Pitfalls
• Avoid mixing files when modeling
multiple scenarios or making changes to
a model.
– Organization is fundamental
– Keep track of the changes
• Don’t using GDS and GUI at the same
time
• Don’t use the *.TOP approach
OUTPUT File types

• Performance
• Spatially varied results
• Time varied results
Output Files
• FLO-2D generates files with name extentions
.out , .chk, .bac and .rgh
– .out files are generated after FLO-2D routines are complete.
They contain the computational results of the runs.
– .chk files report FLO-2D checks of key components.
– .bac files are reformatted .dat files generated by FLO-2D
– .rgh are replicas of .dat files with modified values such as n-
values that can be used to refine flood simulations.
Performance Output Files
and Variables
Performance gauging
– SUMMARY.OUT
– TIME.OUT
– ROUGH.OUT
– SUPER.OUT
– VELTIMEFP.OUT
Demonstration

• Open SUMMARY.OUT, TIME.OUT,

ROUGH.OUT, SUPER.OUT,
VELTIMEFP.OUT
Spatially Varied Output Files
and Variables
MAXQHYD.OUT FPINFILTRATION.OUT
– Maximum Depths – Infiltration Depths
– Maximum Velocities TIMEONEFT.OUT,
– Maximum Water Surface TIMETOWFT.OUT,
Elevations
TIMETOPEAK.OUT
– Maximum Discharges
– Time to One Foot, Two
– Time to peak discharge Feet, Peak Depth and
Peak Discharge
Demonstration

• Show mapped results

Time Varied Output Files and
Variables
Time Varied
– Channel and Floodplain
Cross-section
Hydrographs
– Hydraulic Structure
Hydrographs
– TIMDEP.OUT
Cross-section Location and
Direction
Cross-section Hydrographs
Cross-Section Orientation
Cross-section Hydrographs
Cross-section Hydrographs
FLO-2D Results

• Model results validation

– Flood Frequency Analysis
– Field Observations
– Flood Complaints
• Alternative Modeling
– Future Conditions
Demonstration

Rainbow Wash Model

HEC-RAS Sensitivity Analysis
3,500

Results
Low WebSite High
Base n 0.026 0.030 0.035
Composite n
3,000
Assumed Average Scour Depth: 1.0 ft
Assumed Maximum Deposition: 0.5 ft

2,500
Peak Discharge, cfs

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0
8/17/01 9/7/02 1/8/03 4/2/04 8/9/05 8/10/06 7/25/07 8/7/08 7/21/09 7/29/10

Storm Date

Low n with scour Website Rating curve High n with deposition

Results: Low n / Scour Depth
17B
Bulletin 17B Plot f or B17B RW Low Low
Return Period

1.0 1.1 2 5 10 50 200 1000 10000

100000.0

10000.0
F low (c f s )

1000.0

100.0

10.0
0.9999 0.999 0.99 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.02 0.005 0.001 0.0001

Probability
Computed Curv e Expected Probability Curv e
5 Percent Conf idence Limit 95 Percent Conf idence Limit
Observ ed Ev ents (Median plotting positions) Historic Data
High Outlier
Results: High n / Deposition
17B
Bulletin 17B Plot f or RW
Return Period

1.0 1.1 2 5 10 50 200 1000 10000

1000000.0

100000.0

10000.0
F low (c f s )

1000.0

100.0

10.0

1.0
0.9999 0.999 0.99 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.02 0.005 0.0001

Probability
Computed Curv e Expected Probability Curv e
5 Percent Conf idence Limit 95 Percent Conf idence Limit
Observ ed Ev ents (Median plotting positions) Historic Data
5. FLO-2D Review Guidelines
FLO-2D Review Guidelines
• FLO-2D Version
• Data Requirements
• Input Files
• Output Files
• Mapping
• Model Verification
FLO-2D Version

• Check the FLO-2D website for the

current version
• Request authorization from the agency
prior to use
• Document version and build number
used
Data Requirements

• Document the following:

– Sources of data including date, datum and
accuracy
– Methodologies used to generate data
• Obtain agency approval of n-values,
Froude numbers, infiltration
parameters, etc, prior to execution.
Input Files
• Use a text editor to review
smaller input files
– CONT.DAT
– TOLER.DAT
• Use GDS or GIS to review
spatially varied parameters
– FPLAIN.DAT
Input Files Continued

• The FLO-2D Review Guidelines provide

a listing of potential modeling pitfalls for
typical FLO-2D input files.
CONT.DAT ARF.DAT
TOLER.DAT INFIL.DAT
FPLAIN.DAT FPXSEC.DAT
INFLOW.DAT LEVEE.DAT
RAIN.DAT HYSTUC.DAT
OUTFLOW.DAT
CONT.DAT
• Adequate run time 30 0.1 2 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 1 0 0 0 0
• IBACKUP = 0 0 0 0
-99 0.5 0 0.05 0.9 0
2 0
• Turn switches for IRAIN, INFIL, 0 0.05
0.05
LEVEE, etc., on
• Set FROUDL appropriately
• Set SHALLOWN between 0.1 & 0.2
• Check XCONC value
TOLER.DAT

• Set TOL = 0.03 0.01 0.0 0.0

C 0.6

• TOL should be subtracted

from the IA
• DEPTOL < 0.1
• WAVEMAX = 0
• COURANT = 0.6
FPLAIN.DAT 1
2
3
2
3
4
21 0
22 1
23 2
0
0
0
0.045
0.042
0.041
902.70
902.40
902.24
4 5 24 3 0 0.040 901.96
5 6 25 4 0 0.040 901.81

• Check spatially varied n-

6 7 26 5 0 0.040 902.36
7 8 27 6 0 0.040 902.93
8 9 28 7 0 0.040 903.10

values 9
10
11
10
11
12
29 8
30 9
31 10
0
0
0
0.040
0.040
0.040
903.42
903.90
904.34
12 13 32 11 0 0.040 904.60

• FLO-2D model boundary 13 14 33 12 0 0.035 903.42

vs. study area

• Check grid elevations
 0 338501

INFLOW.DAT
F 0 338501
H 0.000 0.00
H 0.010 0.42
H 0.100 25.73
H 0.411 468.84
H 0.411 468.84
H 0.411 468.84
• Check inflow peaks do H
H
0.411 468.84
0.500 264.41

not exceed
H 0.600 225.38
H 0.700 224.80
H 0.800 205.25

Qpeak/Asurface = 1 ratio H
H
0.900 196.95
1.000 172.55

• Does the FLO-2D

boundary affect the
inflow point hydraulics?
RAIN.DAT

• Check point precipitation 0

value 2.69 0
R 0.00
R 0.25
0 0
0.000
0.008
R 0.50 0.016

• Check rainfall distribution R 0.75

R 1.00
0.025
0.033
R 1.25 0.041
R 1.50 0.050
• Is it spatially varied? R 1.75
R 2.00
0.058
0.066
R 2.25 0.074

• Are areal reduction

R 2.50 0.087
R 2.75 0.099
R 3.00 0.118

factors applied? R 3.25 0.138

OUTFLOW.DAT

• Does the FLO-2D boundary O

O
1
2

affect the outflow point O

O
3
4
O 5
hydraulics? O
O
6
7
O 8

• Ponding at the boundary?

O 9
O 10
O 11
O 12

• Check that ARF, HYSTRUC, O 13

etc, are not set to the same

grid as OUTFLOW points.
ARF.DAT

• Check location
• Does it simulate
flow obstructions
and ineffective
rainfall surfaces?
 1

INFIL.DAT
0 0.7 1 0.4 0
0.1 4.3
F 1 0.08 7.583 0.15 0 0.00
F 2 0.22 5.182 0.25 0 0.00
F 3 0.24 4.896 0.25 0 0.00
F 4 0.36 4.173 0.25 0 0.00
F 5 0.36 4.173 0.25 0 0.00
• POROS = 0
• Does ABSTRINF field
account for the TOL
value?
• Review XKSAT, PSIF,
DTHETA, IA & RTIMP
• RTIMP vs ARF
FPXSEC.DAT

• Check cross section

alignment
• Check flow
direction
LEVEE.DAT

• When modeling flood

walls check ponding
depth.
• Check for “leaks” or
breaks in the levee.
HYSTRUC.DAT

• Check for instabilities

or sudden changes
• Check n-values
• Check definition of the
rating curve at the
lower & upper end
Output Files
• Check the following files
– SUMMARY.OUT
– TIME.OUT
– VELFTIMEC.OUT / VELFTIMEFP.OUT
– ROUGH.OUT
– HYCROSS.OUT, CROSSMAX.OUT and
CROSSQ.OUT
– BREACH.OUT
SUMMARY.OUT
• Check volume
conservation
MASS BALANCE INFLOW - OUTFLOW VOLUME

• Did the model finish =======================================

*** INFLOW (ACRE-FEET) ***

running? TOTAL POINT RAINFALL: 2.6900 INCHES

WATER

• Check volume RAINFALL VOLUME

INFLOW HYDROGRAPH
2736.66
0.00

reasonableness INFLOW HYDROGRAPHS + RAINFALL

---------
2736.66
TIME.OUT

• Check nodes FLOODPLAIN NODES

with
34 35535. 0 35535 0
97426 23255. 0 23255 0
81099 238. 0 238 0
142543 203. 0 203 0

excessive
80710 157. 0 157 0
570 61. 0 61 0

number of
time step
decrements.
VELFTIMEC.OUT/VELFTIMEFP.OUT

• Check for surging by

identifying nodes
with inconsistent MAXIMUM FLOODPLAIN VELOCITY LIST IN DESCENDING ORDER

NODE MAXIMUM VELOCITY TIME OF OCCURRENCE

high velocities. 66483

66087
(FPS OR MPS)
32.28
31.37
(HRS)
3.30
3.30
66285 30.87 3.30
63916 30.51 3.32
105009 30.00 3.41
68070 29.50 3.28
105010 29.42 3.37
105151 29.41 3.41
ROUGH.OUT

• Check for changes in

n-value
• View changes
FLOODPLAIN MANNINGS N CHANGES

NODE MAX n FINAL n ORIG. n

spatially
FP 34 0.055 0.025 0.025
FP 35 0.045 0.029 0.029
FP 54 0.075 0.025 0.025
FP 74 0.032 0.027 0.027
FP 97 0.028 0.026 0.026
FP 1318 0.049 0.038 0.038
FP 2703 0.041 0.025 0.025
FP 5680 0.071 0.030 0.030
FP 8562 0.025 0.020 0.020
HYCROSS, CROSSMAX & CROSSQ

• These
hydrographs
were specified in
FPXSEC.DAT.
• Check for
instabilities
Mapping Output
• Use DEPFP.OUT to
check for ponding/
inundation.
• Use MAXQHYD.OUT to
check peak discharges.
• Use MAXWSELEV.OUT
to check WSEs at
structures.
Model Verification
• Validate the results using the following:
– Flood frequency analysis
– USGS Regression Equations
– Modeling historic storms
– Field observations
– Flood complaints
– Gage information
Sample Project Animation

Animations\Videos\Final_Presentation
_Video\Final_Presentation _Video.mp4
6. Modeling Review Goals
and Priorities
Modeling Review Goals
• Understand the purposes for which the
model was developed.
• Structure the review to ensure the
project goals are met.
• Identify significant issues first, rather
than expending unnecessary effort on
details.
Priorities

• The following are suggested priorities.

• These priorities should be adjusted to
meet the goals of the project.
Modeling Submittal Priorities
1. Submittal Priorities
Submittal 1
A. Proposed approach to modeling the ground
surface. ASCII grid or Mass Points?
B. Model boundary and detailed model area
polygon shape files.
a. For identifying overlap area with upstream inflows.
b. Physical features that may affect model outflow.
Modeling Submittal Priorities
1. Submittal Priorities (cont.)
Submittal 2
A. FPLAIN.DAT, CADPTS.DAT and Grid.
B. Surface used to compute elevations.
C. Inflow locations and hydrographs.
D. Proposed rainfall approach and values.
E. Land use and soils data, obstructions, and
corresponding shape and .tbl files.
 FLO-2D Land Use Table for GDS

CLASS_ID Type_Class Descriptio IA RTIMP VC InitSat n

0 Natural High Vegetation Trees 0.10 0 100 dry 0.065
1 Natural Medium Vegetation Shrubs and brush 0.10 0 100 dry 0.055
2 Natural Low Vegetation Grass and low shrubs 0.10 0 60 dry 0.055
3 Urban High Vegetation Trees 0.10 0 100 normal 0.065
4 Urban Medium Vegetation Shrubs and bushes 0.10 0 100 normal 0.055
5 Urban Low Vegetation Lawns and low shrubs 0.10 0 60 normal 0.055
6 Mountain Bare Ground Mountain bare ground 0.25 0 0 dry 0.050
7 Hillslope Bare Ground Hillslope Bare Ground 0.15 0 0 dry 0.045
8 Desert Rangeland Bare Ground Desert Rangeland Bare Ground 0.35 0 0 dry 0.040
9 Urban Bare Ground Urban Bare Ground 0.20 0 0 dry 0.035
Desert landscaping without an
10 Desert Landscaping permeable 0.20 0 0 normal 0.040
impermeable membrane
Desert landscaping with
11 Desert Landscaping impermeable 0.10 95 0 saturated 0.040
impermeable membrane
12 Wash Bottom Natural wash and river 0.10 0 0 dry 0.035
13 Concrete Sidewalks, curb, patios 0.05 98 0 normal 0.020
14 Asphalt Streets and parking lots 0.05 95 0 normal 0.024
Physical structures that are
15 Buildings 0.05 95 0 normal 0.024
flow obstructions
16 Shade Structures Parking covers, canopies 0.05 98 0 normal 0.035
17 Water Lakes, canals, ponds 0.00 100 0 saturated 0.040
18 Swimming Pools Pools 3.00 100 0 saturated 0.040
19 Rock 100 Large extents of solid rock 0.25 95 0 dry 0.060
20 Rock 85 Broken fractured rock outcrop 0.25 80 0 dry 0.050
Gravel and dirt roadways and
21 Unpaved road 0.10 50 0 dry 0.030
shoulders
Modeling Submittal Priorities
1. Submittal Priorities (cont.)
Submittal 3
A. Base working models including INFIL.DAT,
ARF.DAT, and spatially varied n.
B. Proposed floodplain and 1-D channel cross
section locations.
C. Engineering basis for modeling wall
obstructions, levees, and major storage
facilities.
Modeling Submittal Priorities
1. Submittal Priorities (cont.)
Submittal 4
a. Base working models now including revised
ARF.DAT, FPLAIN.DAT, FPXSEC.DAT and
LEVEE.DAT.
b. Engineering basis for modeling hydraulic
structures (i.e. storm drains, culverts, pump
stations).
c. Engineering basis for modeling 1-D channels.
Modeling Submittal Priorities
1. Submittal Priorities (cont.)
Submittal 5
A. Base working models now including
HYSTRUC.DAT, CHAN.DAT, CHANBANKS.DAT,
and XSEC.DAT.
B. Draft technical documentation report.
Modeling Review Priorities
1. SUMMARY.OUT
A. Check for volume conservation errors.
B. Check total rainfall volume.
C. Check total inflow volume.
D. Check percent infiltration. In general,
should be 40-60% of total rainfall.
Modeling Review Priorities

2. CONT.DAT
A. Check for sufficient model run time.
B. Check that all desired components are
turned on.
C. Check the limiting Froude number setting.
D. Check all other parameters.
Modeling Review Priorities

3. TOLER.DAT
a. Check to see if default values remain
unchanged.
b. Rainfall model? Check TOL. Correlated
with IA?
c. Understand numerical stability control
settings. Are they appropriate?
Modeling Review Priorities
4. VELTIMEFP.OUT and VELTIMEC.OUT
a. Check for unreasonably high velocities.
b. If present, determine where they are.
Still unreasonable?
Modeling Review Priorities

5. TIME.OUT
A. Check for order of magnitude increases in
number of time step reductions.
B. If present, under what criteria and
determine where the grids are.
C. Do they correspond with high velocity
grids? Are they at critical locations?
Modeling Review Priorities

6. HYCROSS.OUT and HYCHAN.OUT

A. Use HYDROG.EXE to review hydrographs
for surging or unreasonable shape.
B. Relate surging hydrographs to TIME.OUT
and high velocity areas if possible.
C. Check peak discharges against indirect
methods where appropriate.
Modeling Review Priorities

7. FPLAIN.DAT
A. Build surface from FPLAIN.DAT elevations.
a. Check against original design surface by
subtracting one from the other and focusing
review on areas of significant difference.
b. Look for discontinuities.
Modeling Review Priorities

7. FPLAIN.DAT
B. Check discharge or depth results overlaid
on aerial photography.
a. Look for breakouts not supported by surface
morphology.
b. Look for ponding water in where it should not
be ponded.
c. Check grid elevations at these points.
Modeling Review Priorities

7. FPLAIN.DAT
C. Check discharge or depth results overlaid
on aerial photography.
a. Check results against known problem areas.
b. Check results against known high capacity
flow and ponding areas.
c. Check results for reasonableness against
known high water marks and gage data.
Modeling Review Priorities

8. ROUGH.OUT and FPLAIN.DAT

A. Is n truly spatially varied? Spot check
FPLAIN.DAT n values against land use file.
B. Check for excessive n value adjustments.
File should contain a small percentage of
total number of grids (1-2%).
Modeling Review Priorities
8. ROUGH.OUT and FPLAIN.DAT
C. Recommend adjustment of grids.
a. Examine highest n value adjustment grids that
correlate against TIME.OUT and high
velocities.
b. Check for unrealistically steep slopes in and
around these areas.
c. Make relatively small adjustments to n and/or
elevations and rerun model.
Modeling Review Priorities

9. Flow Obstructions
A. Visually check flow depth, discharge,
velocities and velocity directions for
reasonableness around obstructions.
B. Spot check building runoff for hydrology
models using FPINFILTRATION.OUT and
MAXQHYD.OUT.
Modeling Review Priorities

10. HYDROSTRUCT.OUT
A. Plot hydrographs and check for surging.
B. Check inlet elevations against grid
elevations.
C. Look for mismatched rating curves.
Modeling Review Priorities

11. LEVEE.OUT
A. Check for conflicts with other model
components.
B. Visually check for overtopping and leaks.
C. Check levee elevations in detail at all
locations critical to project goals.
Modeling Review Priorities

12. 1-D Channels

A. Plot channel profiles and cross sections
examine for irregularities.
B. Check hydrographs for surging.
Final Product
Acknowledgments
Use of FLO-2-D Model Results
Use of FLO-2-D Model Results
Use of FLO-2-D Model Results
Use of FLO-2-D Model Results

Computation of
1
8 5 Discharge Across a
Grid Element

4 2

7 3 6

Q(7) Q(6)

Q(3)
Use of FLO-2-D Model Results
Total Q = 50 cfs

Total Q = 312
cfs

Total Q = 249
cfs