WMS:TR-20

TR-20, WinTR-20, and WinTR-55 models can be defined in WMS using the commands in the TR-20 menu and resulting dialogs.

WMS uses the same TR-20 interface for creating TR-20, WinTR-20, and WinTR-55 models. Tools similar to the tools for computing Curve Numbers and Time of Concentration that are included with NRCS' WinTR-55 software are included in WMS. Procedures and tutorials for computing these parameters are included elsewhere in the WMS documentation. Also note that WinTR-55 includes dimensionless unit hydrographs that can be used. WMS includes these unit hydrographs in the TR-20 Job Control dialog. Further, note that WinTR-55 includes standard rainfall distributions in the interface. These rainfall distributions can be accessed from the TR-20 precipitation dialog when selecting a custom rainfall distribution. A button to access data from NOAA Atlas 14 is also available in the TR-20 precipitation dialog.

When saving and running TR-20, WMS uses the DOS executable distributed as TR-20 from the 1980's-90's and saves files to the ".dat" file format used with that version of TR-20. When saving and running WinTR-20, WMS uses the latest DOS executable distributed with WinTR-20 and saves files to the updated ".inp" file format used with this version of TR-20. The DOS executable distributed with WinTR-20 is similar to the executable distributed with WinTR-55 with a few updates. This means you can build a TR-20 model in WMS and run this model in the "old" TR-20 as well as in WinTR-20 (or WinTR-55 since this uses the same DOS executable as WinTR-20).

Note that there are a few differences in data requirements for WinTR-20 files. For example, WinTR-20 channel cross sections require a top width for each cross section elevation as well as an energy grade slope. These parameters are not required when building an old-style TR-20 model but are included in the TR-20 dialogs to allow you to develop WinTR-20 models. Note that there are also some computation differences between the TR-20 and WinTR-20/WinTR-55 models.

The TR-20 model is included with all paid editions of WMS.

TR-20 Menu

The TR-20 menu, available in the Hydrologic Modeling module, contains the following commands:

• Open TR-20 File – Brings up an Open dialog for importing files in the TR-20 file format.
• Save TR-20 File – Saves the simulation in the TR-20 file format.
• Run Simulation – Opens the TR-20 Input/Output dialog where simulation run parameters can be specified and the simulation run launched.
• Read Solution – Brings up the Read TR-20 Solution dialog where the simulation solution file can be selected and imported.
• Show Prince George's County Toolbox
• Save WinTR-20 File – Saves the simulation in the WinTR-20 file format.
• Run WinTR-20 Simulation – Opens the File Save dialog to allow you to save a simulation and then launches WinTR-20 after saving.
• Read WinTR-20 Solution – Brings up the Read WinTR-20 Solution dialog where the simulation solution file can be selected and imported.
• Job Control – Opens the TR-20 Job Control dialog for setting parameters for the simulation run.
• Edit Parameters – Opens the Edit TR-20 Parameters dialog for adding data to basins, outlets, and diversion.
• Stochastic Modeling – Brings up the Stochastic Run Parameters dialog.
• Run Stochastic Model – Opens the the Model Steering dialog to start the stochastic model run.

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There are six steps in defining a TR-20/WinTR-20 model using WMS:

Create a Topologic Tree

In the absence of terrain data, this is done using the commands to build the tree in the Tree menu. When using the TIN, Map, or DEM modules to delineate a watershed and sub-basin boundaries, a topologic tree is automatically created. Diversions can not be created directly on a TIN or in the Map module, but must be created using the commands in the Tree menu.

Define Job Control Parameters

Job control parameters are used to define the time and length of a simulation, output diagnostic controls, and other miscellaneous items. Definition of these parameters is discussed in detail later in this chapter.

Edit Basin/Outlet/Reservoir/Diversion Data

Parameters for all sub-basin outlets, reach routes, reservoirs, and diversions (hydrograph stations) are entered/edited using the Edit TR-20 Parameters dialog accessed from the TR-20 menu. This dialog displays current values and allows editing values for the currently selected hydrograph station.

Model Check

This step allows check you to check your TR-20/WinTR-20 data prior to performing an analysis. It reports errors such as zero area, undefined precipitation, etc. These errors should be corrected by returning to previous steps before actually trying to run TR-20.

The Model Check command should be issued once all necessary TR-20 data has been defined. It will report any possible errors/inconsistencies in the model so that corrections can be made prior to executing TR-20. The list of checks made is not complete and just because no errors are reported does not ensure that a successful and/or accurate analysis will be completed. It's encouraged to report any additional checks that might be made while working through various problems.

Run TR-20/Run WinTR-20

WMS creates TR-20 files compatible with any version of TR-20. However, a Windows (X-Windows on UNIX and MS-Windows on PC's) compiled version of TR-20 is distributed with WMS so that it can be run without leaving the WMS environment.

WMS creates WinTR-20 files compatible with the WinTR20 executable distributed with WMS.

For an in depth description of the TR-20 runoff model itself, refer to the TR-20 User's Manual[1].

The version of TR-20/WinTR-20 distributed with WMS can be run directly from WMS by using the Run Simulation (or Run WinTR-20 Simulation) command in the TR-20 menu. Before running a TR-20 simulation, run the model checker. The model checker will help identify serious and potential problems. These problems should be corrected before a successful run of TR-20/WinTR-20 can be made.

The Run Simulation command will bring up a dialog allowing specifying three files which are necessary to run TR-20. The first file is the TR-20 input file. The second is an ASCII output file generated by TR-20. This output file can be used to extract specific results. It also contains important information which can be used to correct problems encountered when running TR-20. The third file will contain hydrograph results for basins and outlets. View these results by reading this file with the Open command from the Hydrographs menu.

Once these files have been defined and select OK, TR-20 will be executed. A separate window will appear and information about the TR-20 simulation will be reported. If running with Microsoft Windows, close this window when TR-20 terminates. On UNIX workstations the window closes automatically.

If TR-20 is not executed successfully when issuing this command then be sure that the path to the TR20.EXE file (tr20 for UNIX) is located in the same directory as the WMS executable file.

If TR-20 does not run to a successful completion, view the ASCII output file using the View File command in the File menu.

The Run WinTR-20 Simulation simulation brings up a Save file dialog. Define an output filename and WMS will run the WinTR-20 model using the Model Wrapper. The WinTR-20 output filenames match the prefix of the filename defined in the Save file dialog. Errors running the WinTR-20 simulation can be tracked down by viewing the ".err" file output by TR-20. This file shows up under the solution folder after running the WinTR-20 model.

View Hydrographs

Once a TR20 simulation has been run, view resulting hydrographs using the commands in the Hydrographs menu. After viewing the hydrographs, if desired, repeat the previous steps in order to calibrate a model or look at different scenarios.

Reading Existing Files

WMS is capable of reading old-style TR20 .dat files created manually using a text editor or another program. However, there are a couple of problems which need to be considered, and may have to be altered either before or after reading in one of these files.

• WMS reads analysis hydrograph results from the *.thy file. Many existing TR20 files will not specify output to this file and it may be necessary to define it for all hydrograph stations before being able to read in analysis results. This can be done by selecting all basins/outlets and bringing up the respecting output control dialog. Saving the TR20 file and running it will then create the *.thy file.
• WMS will not read in TR20 files with more than one COMPUT record. Only one COMPUT record will be read in, and it will be the last COMPUT record in the file. If needing to make more than one computation, simply change the necessary input parameters in WMS, save the file, and run TR20 again.
• WMS will not read in data from ALTER, DELETE, INSERT, IPEAKS, PEAKS, or DURINC records.
• WMS adds basin, reservoir, outlet, reach, and diversion names in columns 73 through 78 of TR20 files. These names are not necessary to run TR20 or to read existing TR20 files into WMS.

If running into any other problems reading TR20 files, please contact WMS technical support.

WMS does not read WinTR-20 ".inp" files.

Saving Files

Once a tree has been created and all of the necessary data entered, a TR20 input file can be generated by selecting the Save TR20 File command the TR20 menu. When writing the file, the proper order for computing, adding, and routing hydrographs is automatically determined. TR20 can be run without any further editing of the input file generated by WMS. Because WMS does not allow input for all TR20 options, it may be necessary to modify the file somewhat before execution. Hydrograph names must be defined in columns 73-80 of all RUNOFF, REACH, DIVERT, ADDHYD, and RESVOR, records and GRAPHICS must be defined in columns 61-68 of the JOB record before output of TR20 can be read back into WMS for display in the Hydrograph Window.

Existing files generated outside of WMS can be read it into WMS and a separate topological tree will automatically be generated for the watershed described in the file. Since WMS does not yet support all possible TR20 card types, there may be some incomplete information. However, the basic structure of the watershed will be created and all possible data will be retained. If multiple computations or runs of TR20 are specified in a single file, WMS will prompt for which one to use. With WMS only a single computation sequence may be defined. If additional computations are desired, the parameters can easily be changed within WMS and another run of TR20 made.

WMS also saves WinTR-20 (.inp) files.

Related Topics

• Editing TR20 Parameters