GMS:HydroGeoSphere

HydroGeoSphere (HGS) is a three-dimensional control-volume finite element simulator created by Aquanty. HGS can be used to model the entire terrestrial portion of the hydrologic cycle. It uses a globally-implicit approach to simultaneously solve the 2D diffusive-wave equation for overland/surface water flow and the 3D form of Richards’ equation for variably saturated groundwater flow.

Graphical Interface

The GMS interface for HydroGeoSphere contains multiple components. These components include:

• An unstructured grid (UGrid)
• HGS coverages
• HGS simulation, including the Simulation Control

Building a HydroGeoSphere Simulation

Example of a MODFLOW 6 simulation in the Project Explorer

Before building a HydroGeoSphere (HGS) simulation, a 3D UGrid of the project area is required. While the project can contain multiple UGrids, only one UGrid can be attached to each HGS simulation.

To create a MODFLOW simulation:

1. Right-click on an empty space in the Project Explorer, or right-click on " Project" in the Project Explorer, and select New Simulation | HydroGeoSphere.

When the simulation has been initially created, the selected UGrid will be linked to the simulation and the simulation packages will appear in the Project Explorer.

HGS Simulation Right-Click Menus

In the Project Explorer, right-clicking on a HGS simulation brings up a menu with several commands. Some of these commands are common to other Project Explorer In the Project Explorer, right-clicking on HGS simulation brings up a menu with several commands. Some of these commands are common to other Project Explorer right-click menus. Others are unique to the simulation right-click menus. Some of these unique commands are:

• " Simulation Data"
  • Simulation Run Queue – Opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog which shows all current simulation runs.
• " HydroGeoSphere Simulations"
  • New Simulation – Creates a new MODFLOW 6 simulation in the Project Explorer. This simulation will not contain any of the packages in any existing simulations and therefor the packages must be added. Also, creating a new simulation using this method requires linking a UGrid to the simulation.
  • Simulation Run Queue – Opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog which shows all current simulation runs.
  • Save All and Run – Saves all MODFLOW 6 simulations in the project and exports all files needed for the model run. It then will launch the Simulation Run Queu dialog and begin the model runs for all simulations in the project.
• Model
  • Simulation Run Queue – Opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog which shows all current simulation runs.
  • New Package – Opens a sub-menu listing all available packages that can be added to the simulation. Selecting a package will add it to the simulation. Some packages cannot be added until certain packages have already been added to the simulation and therefore will not be available until the prerequisite package has been added.
  • Check Simulation – Checks the simulation for model errors and brings up the Model Check dialog if any errors are found.
  • Save Simulation – Saves the simulation and exports all files needed for the model run.
  • Run Simulation – Starts the simulation model run and opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog.
  • Save Project, Simulation and Run – Saves the simulation and exports all files needed for the model run. It then will launch the Simulation Run Queu dialog and begin the model runs for the simulation.
  • Read Solution – Loads the solution file for the associated simulation. Requires that the simulation has had a successful run.

Simulation Right-Click Menu Commands

Right-clicking on any simulation object in the Project Explorer will bring up a menu for that simulation. Some of the commands are specific for the simulation model type. The simulation right-click menu has the following commands that are used by all simulations.

• Rename – Allows changing the simulation name.
• Duplicate – Creates a copy of the selected simulation. All components linked to selected simulation will be linked to the duplicate simulation. Adding, or removing the components in the duplicate simulation will not change the original simulation.
• Delete – Removes the selected simulation. This command does not delete or modify components linked to the simulation.
• Properties – Brings up a Properties dialog that shows which model the simulation is using and what components have been applied.

Right-clicking on the simulation folder always includes the following commands:

• New Simulation – This command will create a new simulation of the same model type as the simulation folder.
• Simulation Run Queue – Opens the Simulation Run Queue dialog.

Additional commands appear in the simulation right-click menu depend on the settings in the Simulation Menu Preferences dialog as described above. If any of the Multiple simulation commands are invoked, a dialog appears listing the simulations in this folder with toggle box next to each as shown. The user may then select which simulations should be included in this command.

These optional commands should be self explanatory based on their name. In general, their function can be described as:

• A command that says Save Simulation generates the files for the numeric model simulation run, but does not save the project files.
• A command that says Save Project saves the project such as mesh and map data, but doesn't generate the files needed for the simulation run. This command is typically used with the Save Simulation command.
• A command that says Run Simulation runs the simulation. It is necessary to save the simulation files as part of or before using a run command.

All of the above applies equally to multiple simulations commands and single simulations commands.

Modeling Notes

• GMS allows multiple HGS simulations to exist in a single GMS project.

External Links

• HydroGeoSphere website
• HydroGeoSphere Theory
• HydroGeoSphere Reference Manual