TUFLOW SWMM Tutorial Introduction

Introduction

This TUFLOW licence free tutorial model is aimed at new users, stepping through the process of building and running a model. To begin, watch the following video:

• What Is TUFLOW?

TUFLOW has supported 1D/2D dynamic coupling since its initial 2D solver development in 1989. Traditionally, 1D (1 Dimensional) linking and associated modelling has been applied using TUFLOW's 1D solver, ESTRY. As demonstrated in:

• Module 3 - 1D Culverts
• Module 5 - Integrated Urban Drainage
• Module 11 - 1D Open Channel
  

New in 2023, TUFLOW's 1D linking and solver options have been expanded to support EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). As such, 1D pipe networks or 1D open channels can now be modeled using either the ESTRY, EPA SWMM, or a combination of the 1D solvers.

EPA SWMM is a widely used software program for simulating urban and non-urban watersheds' hydrologic and hydraulic behavior. Developed in the early 1970s by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the software has since undergone numerous updates and enhancements to become one of the most used 1D stormwater runoff and water quality analysis tools globally, particularly in North America.

The primary uses of EPA SWMM include designing and evaluating stormwater management practices, planning, and assessing low-impact development techniques, and developing models for floodplain mapping and emergency response planning. The software allows users to simulate a wide range of storm events and analyze the impact of a range of factors, such as land use changes, climate variability, and water quality control measures, on the performance of stormwater management systems. For more details about EPA SWMM please visit: Storm Water Management Model

The following tutorial models are aimed at new and experienced users, stepping through the process of building and running TUFLOW and SWMM together. The main objective aims to demonstrate the ability of TUFLOW to link to 1D EPA SWMM in various forms and application settings. If you are not familar with TUFLOW already, we recommend first completing Module 1 and 2 of the "TUFLOW Only" Tutorials to establish an understanding of 2D modelling, before progressing to learning how to link 1D EPA SWMM to 2D TUFLOW.

Requirements and Downloads

TUFLOW doesn't have its own graphical user interface (GUI), it uses GIS software and text editor for its model creation and result viewing. As such, it is very efficient and flexible and doesn't have the same data load/visualisation limitations using big datasets as other modelling software GUIs.

This short video introduces the required TUFLOW modelling programs:

• Required Programs
  

Requirement	Brief Description	Download
TUFLOW	TUFLOW is a computer program for simulating depth-averaged, one and two-dimensional free-surface flows such as occurs from floods and tides, with the 2D solution occurring over a regular grid of square elements. It is recommended to always use the latest release version of TUFLOW. This tutorial model does not require a TUFLOW licence. This tutorial is set up to use a NVIDIA GPU card. If this is not available, CPU can be used in the hardware command.	The TUFLOW executable is provided within the Tutorial Download Dataset.
QGIS QGIS TUFLOW plugin	The Geographic Information System (GIS) used to build models and view results. This tutorial was developed with QGIS 3.20. It is recommended to have QGIS 3.20 or later to ensure compatibility with TUFLOW plugin latest features. The TUFLOW plugin includes numerous tools to increase workflow efficiency.	Latest 64-bit version of QGIS. QGIS TUFLOW Plugin Installation.
NotePad++ Syntax Highlighting	A text editor is required for creation of the TUFLOW input files. This tutorial was developed with NotePad++. Ideally a text editor should be able to: Colour code the TUFLOW control files; Open other files from the active control file; and Launch a TUFLOW simulation. TUFLOW colour coding can be enabled using syntax highlighting.	Latest 64-bit version of Notepad++. TUFLOW syntax highlighting for Notepad++. For instructions on configuring Notepad++ for TUFLOW modelling, see Notepad++ tips.
Microsoft Excel	A spreadsheet software is required for working with tabular data and .csv files. This tutorial has been created in Excel.

Tutorial Data Download

To build the tutorial model, download the dataset below. This includes a digital elevation model (DEM), aerial photography, background model data for the tutorial model and a working version of the model. GeoPackage has been used as the GIS format for the model build tasks. For tips on using Geopackage see GeoPackage Tips.

• TUFLOW SWMM Tutorial Dataset - QGIS - GPKG

Tutorial Modules

The download dataset contains the input files and working version of the tutorial model for reference. Results and check files are not included to keep the size of the download file manageable. The folder should be placed in a location with write permissions.

The tutorial model is presented in a number of modules. All modules can be completed independently, however new users are encouraged to undertake the modules in sequence:

• TUFLOW SWMM Module 1 - 1D SWMM Culverts
• TUFLOW SWMM Module 2 - 1D SWMM Pipe Network / 2D Direct Rainfall Hydrology
• TUFLOW SWMM Module 3 - 1D SWMM Pipe Network / 1D SWMM Urban Hydrology
• TUFLOW SWMM Module 4 - 1D SWMM Pipe Network / 1D SWMM Catchment Hydrology

Recommended Further Reading

For users who wish to get a better understanding of either 1D EPA SWMM or 2D TUFLOW, the following resources may be of use:

• Storm Water Management Model User's Manual
• TUFLOW User Manual and Release Notes
• TUFLOW Tutorial Models

Contact

For comments, requests and feedback contact support@tuflow.com.

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