WMS:Overview of Datasets

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WMS was designed as a general purpose watershed modeling system. One of the main purposes of WMS is to provide a consistent interface for a variety of models and grid types. In order to accomplish this goal, input data for models and solution data (other than those models defined using topological trees) are handled in a simple, consistent fashion using datasets. They are accessed and managed using the Project Explorer as shown in the figure to the right.

A dataset is a set of values associated with each grid cell, or scatter point. A dataset can be steady state (one value per item) or transient (one value per item per time step). The following objects in WMS each have a scalar dataset list:

• TINs (elevations and solutions for flood plain delineation)

• 2D Grids (solutions for the GSSHA model)

• 2D Scatter Point Sets (could be a variety of things, but are used in WMS for storing hydraulic modeling water surface elevations that are used to delineate flood plains)

The commands for manipulating datasets are located in the Data menu of the respective modules, and as part of the Project Explorer where datasets are listed separately, or as part of solution folders.

Datasets are used for both pre- and post-processing of models. For example, a scalar dataset associated with a 2D grid can represent starting values of surface depth or values of hydraulic conductivity for a runoff modeling problem. Another dataset associated with the same grid may represent computed depth values. All datasets can be used to generate contours, color fringes, and animation sequences.

Related Topics

• File I/O
• Datasets