(Abstract from Proceedings of the First Federal Interagency Hydrologic Modeling Conference, held in Las Vegas, NV, April 19-23, 1998, prepared by the Subcommittee on Hydrology of the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data)

A near real-time flood-simulation system is being developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Du Page County Department of Environmental Concerns for a 15-mile reach of Salt Creek in Du Page County, Ill. The Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) is being utilized to simulate rainfall-runoff for input to the Full EQations (FEQ) model for dynamic-wave routing. The meteorological inputs for the rainfall-runoff simulation are obtained by Internet access and radio-telemetered precipitation gages. Boundary conditions for the dynamic-wave routing model are obtained from telemetered stream-elevation gages and rating curves. The interface for data-base management, developing and processing simulation files, and analysis of simulation results is the program GENeration and analysis of model simulation SCeNarios (GENSCN).

The flood-simulation system is being developed to estimate the downstream effects of diverting streamflow into or out of the Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility, located about 10 miles from the downstream boundary, under various real-time or forecasted rainfall distribution scenarios. The flood-wave characteristics of the stream system are highly dependent upon the distribution of rainfall in taime and space and, thus, the most effective management of diversions is dependent on the ability of facility managers to quickly simulate rainfall and snowmelt effects on the stream system.

The full benefit of understanding the complex model output from dynamic-wave routing can be realized only when the results can be quickly visualized and analyzed. Time series and model input files must be effeciently managed and the database made user friendly. Current operational procedures for the flood control facility are partly based upon operator intuition, which does not provide a systematic means to evaluate alternative operational schemes. The interfaced system makes it possible to test and compare various potential rainfall/diversion scenarios. This includes clickable maps, animated water-surface profiles, and a variety of graphical and analytical tools for evaluating the output scenarios.

¹US Geological Survey, Urbana, Ill.

²Du Page County Dept. of Environmental Concerns, Wheaton, Ill.

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