WMS:Time Computation

The Time Computation coverage type allows you to define equations along arcs for computing flow path travel times within a basin. In this way times of concentration or lag times can be determined using standard overland, and channel flow equations such as those used by the FHWA, TR-55, or any other user-defined equation. Since most equations used for travel time are functions of flow path length and slope, WMS automatically determines the length of the arc, and if a TIN or DEM is available the slope, and makes them available for use in an equation.

Time of concentration arcs are similar to stream arcs as defined in the drainage coverage in that their direction is important. When creating time computation arcs you should always define them from “downstream” to “upstream” in the same way that drainage arcs are defined.

Time computation arcs are the only type of arcs in the Time Computation coverage. Each arc is assigned a time of travel equation. Equations may be selected from a library of equations or as a user-defined equation. The predefined equations in WMS include TR55, FHWA, and Maricopa County. For example, TR55 includes the standard equations for sheet flow, shallow concentrated flow, and open channel flow. The dialog shown is used to assign the arc attributes and corresponding values for the parameters of the equation so that a travel time for the arc can be determined.

Time of concentration or lag time for a basin is determined by summing the travel times of all time computation arcs within a basin. A summary of how this is automated within WMS and further information on defining equations and computing travel times for time computation arcs is given in the hydrologic calculators section.

There are no point/node or polygon attributes in Time Computation coverages.

Time Computation Arcs

The Node → Flow arcs command in the Feature Objects menu allows you to automatically develop time computation arcs by tracing the flow path across a TIN or DEM and saving an arc representing the path so that an equation can be assigned to it. You can investigate where the arc(s) will be created using the flow path tool and selecting points on the TIN or DEM since the same functions for flow are used to create the arcs. The process requires the following three steps:

1. Create a feature points at locations where the flow path segments should begin.

2. Make sure any feature points you wish to use to create time computation arcs are selected.

3. Choose the Node→Flow arcs command.

You will be asked if you want to create one continuous arc or multiple arcs. If you respond with one continuous arc it will create an arc representing the flow path from the selected feature point to the next downstream outlet. If you choose to create multiple arcs it will break the arc into separate arcs if the flow path encounters a stream.

Flow Paths to Time Computation Arcs

When using the Node → Flow Arcs command in the Feature Objects menu, only the portions of the stream that are part of the flow path from the selected point to the outlet get converted to time computation arcs. If you wish to compute the lag time between consecutive outlet points then you will need to convert the remaining stream portions to time computation arcs. This is the purpose of the Streams → Flow Arcs command. Not all streams are converted when using this command, only those stream segments that connect outlets. This command works for either TIN or DEM feature object stream segments.

Flow Path Arcs

To compute the time of concentration in a sub-basin, the longest flow path in each basin must be defined. Once a watershed has been defined and broken into sub-basins, flow path arcs (Time Computation arcs) may be defined for each sub-basin. These arcs must be created in a Time Computation Coverage; the Coverages dialog in WMS includes the option to create this type of coverage. The new coverage should be created and activated before creating flow path arcs.

When a Time Computation Coverage is active, Tc arcs may be created using the Create Feature Arc tool in the Map Module of WMS. These paths are created by simply pointing and clicking along the desired path, and double-clicking to end the arc. The Tc arcs created should start near the basin outlet and follow the longest flow path in the basin. This path must often be determined from knowledge of the area or visual inspection of a map or photograph of the area. However, WMS can automatically create flow paths if elevation data exists and is imported into WMS. By creating a node at the furthest point in the basin, the user can direct WMS to define the flow path to the outlet when the Node to Flow Path command is issued from the Feature Objects menu.

NOTE: the flow path arc for each basin must not cross the basin boundary at any point. Such a crossing will result in errors.

Automated Tc Calculations

WMS will compute Tc for all sub-basins using the LACDPW TC regression equation and the parameters defined along time computation arcs (on the Time Computation coverage) using the Compute Tc command in the MODRAT menu. Error messages are displayed and Tc will not be computed for any sub-basin if any of the required parameters are missing. This automates the process of selecting the time computation arc, verifying the input parameters, and computing Tc for each sub-basin.

Assigning Equation to Arcs

The primary attribute for a time computation arc is the equation that will be used to compute travel time for the flow path segment represented by the arc. In addition to the equation, the length, slope, and travel time for the arc are also stored. Length is defaulted from the length of the arc and a slope will be determined for the arc if there is an underlying TIN or DEM. However, you can edit either of these values if you want. For example you may decide that the actual flow path is somewhat more sinuous than the arc represents and decide to increase the length. The equation and appropriate variables are defined for an arc using the Time Computation Arcs Attributes dialog shown below.

This dialog is used to set all values and compute travel times for selected arcs. It can be accessed by selecting an arc and then choosing the Attributes command from the Feature Objects menu in the Map module, by double clicking on the arc when in the map module, or when using the Travel Time Computation dialog. If multiple arcs are selected the ArcID window displays the ID of all selected arcs and you may edit the equations / variables of any selected arc by choosing it from this window. While the selected arc is highlighted in the Graphics Window, you may find it useful to toggle on the display of arc IDs from the Feature Object Display Options dialog.

When using the Time Computation Arc Attributes dialog the Instructions / Results window will let you know which variables need to be entered before a time computation can be made, and when all variables are defined it will display the computed travel time of the selected arc.

Editing Equation Variables

Equation variables from the currently selected arc are displayed in the variables window of the Time Computation Attributes dialog. Variables such as length and slope will generally have defaulted values, however other variables such as Manning’s roughness coefficient will need to be entered before a travel time for the arc can be computed. Variables are edited by selecting the variable you want to modify from the text window and then setting the value in the adjacent edit field. The Instructions/Results window will let you know when variables have not been defined and the travel time for the arc once all variables have reasonable values.

Assigning the Regression Equation

Once a flow path (time computation) arc has been created for each sub-basin, the LACDPW TC regression equation must be assigned to each arc. This can be done in two ways:

1. After creating the Tc arc, double-click on it with the Select Feature Arc tool. The Time Computation Arc Attributes dialog will appear.
2. Select a sub-basin and bring up the Edit MODRAT Parameters dialog. Then click on the Compute Regression Tc button. This will invoke the Travel Time Computation dialog; the flow path arc can be selected and assigned an equation by selecting the Edit Arcs button. This button will invoke the Time Computation Arc Attributes dialog.

Once in the Time Computation Arc Attributes dialog, choose the LACDPW TC equation. The necessary variables will be shown in the window at the bottom of the dialog. If you have computed the watershed data and assigned rainfall, soil type, and percent impervious, all the variables will be assigned the appropriate values. If not, you can select the variables and enter a value manually.

NOTE: Once you have selected the LACDPW TC equation for one Tc arc in your model, it becomes the default for all other arcs.

Regression Tc Arc Computations

To produce accurate runoff results, MODRAT must have data to allow routing of flows through basins and reaches. One of the most important parameters needed for these operations is the time of concentration. Differences in the time of concentration can have marked effects on hydrograph peaks and shapes (temporal runoff distribution), especially when hydrographs from various basins are combined.

As a general rule, the time of concentration calculations should be done after all other parameters have been assigned to each sub-basin of your MODRAT model. The reason for this is that the methods used to compute Tc use rainfall depth or zone, soil type, and percent impervious as variables. If these parameters have been assigned to each sub-basin, WMS will automatically plug those numbers into the equation to compute Tc for the sub-basin.

Once the LACDPW TC equation has been assigned to an arc and all variables defined, WMS will compute the Tc for the arc and display it in the Time Computation Arc Attributes dialog. The computation of the time of concentration requires data from the soil file (lasoilx.dat) to be present. If this file is not present in that folder, you will be prompted to designate the location of the soil file.

To assure the Tc is assigned to the MODRAT model:

1. Select a sub-basin and bring up the Edit MODRAT Attributes dialog.
2. Click the Compute Regression Tc button.
3. Ensure that a Tc has been computed in the Travel Time Computation dialog; edit the Tc arc data if necessary.
4. Click OK and the Tc will be assigned to the sub-basin.
5. Repeat for each sub-basin.

Compute Regression Tc

The LACDPW has developed a regression equation to compute time of concentration for the MODRAT program. Use of these equations in WMS is done through the Time of Concentration Calculator. The basic steps to using this calculator are:

1. Define flow paths with Time Computation Arcs
2. Choose the regression equation to assign to the flow path
3. Enter needed parameters
4. Compute Tc

Related Topics

• Feature Objects
• Coverages
• Computing Lag Times and Time of Concentration
• Time of Concentration
• Travel Times from Map Data
• Editing Equation Variables