WMS:TR-20 Routing Data

Outlet points are used to define locations where hydrographs are combined and then routed downstream. The appropriate combined hydrograph (ADDHYD records) stations are generated automatically when writing a TR20 file. However, routing data must be entered in order to simulate the movement of a flood wave through the river reaches or reservoirs. The effects of storage and flow resistance are accounted for in the shape and timing of the flood wave.

Routing data is entered by selecting an outlet and then selecting the Routing Data button from the Edit TR20 Parameters dialog.

Routing Method

TR20 has two different routing methods to choose from. If cross-sectional data is available it can be used to establish routing parameters using a “m-value” method. If the cross-section data are not available a Kinematic wave method may be used instead. The method for each outlet is determined by the radio group selection.

Defined Cross Sections

With this routing method a typical cross-section for each reach (outlet) must be defined. This is done using the TR20 Cross Section Data dialog, and is accessed by selecting the Define Cross Section Data button.

Bankfull Elevation

If you enter the bankfull elevation here, it will trigger a warning message in the TR20 output file if less than two cross section data points are below bankfull. Entering the bankfull elevation is optional.

Zero Damage Elevation

This is used with the TR20 flow duration analysis to flag results at this elevation. Entering the zero damage elevation is optional.

Low Ground Elevation

The low ground elevation is the lowest flood plain elevation in a cross-section. The low ground elevation, which is optional, must not be higher than the bankfull elevation.

Flow Units

The flow can be entered in cubic feet per second per square mile (csm) or cubic feet per second (cfs). To select one of these flows, simply select the type of flow you want by selecting the appropriate radio button in the Define Cross Section dialog. If flow is defined in csm, you must define the drainage area of the basin in square miles.

Defining Cross Sections

Once a cross section has been defined in TR20, this cross section can be used in other locations in the TR20 model. A cross-section defined for an earlier outlet can be used later by another outlet simply by selecting the name from the text window or the drop-down box in the TR20 Routing Data dialog.

Kinematic Wave

The kinematic wave method uses two different rating coefficients, x and m, in the following equation:

$Q=xA^{m}$

where $Q$ is the discharge, $A$ is the valley storage area divided by length and $x$ and $m$ are the coefficient and exponent of the relationship describing the reach and maximum inflow hydrograph peak discharge.

Reach Length

This value should be the length, in feet, along the river reach for which routing takes place. If a TIN, DEM, or Map-based watershed model is present this value is automatically computed and assigned to this field whenever the Compute Basin Data command is executed. A cross section must be assigned to the reach length assigned.

Outlet Names

Since outlets are used for both types (adding and routing) of hydrograph stations in the TR20 input file, a separate name for each type of hydrograph must be entered. The name should be eight characters or less and is used to read hydrographs from the results file.

Direct Input Hydrographs

Hydrographs can be input directly, and then routed down stream, using the different routing options. To do this, select the Direct Input Hydrograph option. Hit the New button in the Define input hydrographs dialog to define a new hydrograph. The base flow and contributing drainage area for the hydrograph should be entered for computation purposes.

The hydrograph may be edited by selecting the Edit button after selecting the hydrograph to edit. For each input hydrograph in TR20, the discharge in cfs at each time interval must be entered.

Related Topics

• TR20 Overview
• Editing TR20 Parameters
• Entering Basin Data