QGIS SCS to TUFLOW

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This Page is under construction

Introduction

This page presents a recommended method for the application of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) (now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) rainfall-runoff model. They are based largely on Technical Release No. 55 (TR55) prepared by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS, 1986).

Available models

Currently, the tool is available for catchments in the Auckland Region1, however, further models are planned to be added.

Auckland Region

The model is recommended for use in stormwater management design in the Auckland Region. It has been designed as a standard tool that will provide consistent results from different users. Key features of the stormwater runoff model are described below:

  • Design 24 hour rainfall depths are provided in the form of rainfall maps covering the Auckland Region.
  • A standard 24 hour temporal rainfall pattern, having peak rainfall intensity at midduration. Shorter duration rainfall bursts with a range of durations from 10 minutes to 24 hours are nested within the 24 hour temporal pattern.
  • Runoff depth is calculated using SCS rainfall-runoff curves, with curve numbers determined from the SCS guidelines according to classifications assigned to Auckland soil types.


Creating runoff within SCS for use with TUFLOW

The SCS to TUFLOW tool is part of the TUFLOW plugin which is explained further in the TUFLOW Viewer page. The instructions on the page should be followed to install the QGIS plugin.

Tool location

To use the SCS to TUFLOW tool, locate the SCS icon on the TUFLOW toolbar.

Plugin SCS Toolbar.png

Alternatively, open the TUFLOW plugin menu and scroll down to ‘Extract SCS for TUFLOW (Beta)’. The tool is nominally in beta mode and we encourage feedback from external users, any comments or suggestions should be sent to support@tuflow.com.

Plugin SCS Menu.png

Once the ‘Extract SCS for TUFLOW (beta)’ tool has been selected, the SCS to TUFLOW Dialog will appear.

Model Selection

Currently the Auckland Region is made available as the catchment location.

Plugin SCS Model Selection.png

Event Selection and Design Rainfall Depth

Plugin SCS Event Selection.png

Simulation Settings

Plugin SCS Simulation Settings.png

Manual Approach

Plugin SCS Manual Approach.png

GIS Approach

Plugin SCS GIS Approach.png

Output location

Specify output location where inflows for every event, boundary database and event file will be saved. The tool also saves input_log text file that can be used as check of what has been entered into the tool. This file isn't being read into TUFLOW. Plugin SCS Output.png

Running the tool

Once all above is set, hit the "Run" button in the bottom right corner. If there are any missing/incorrect information, the tool will prompt to fill/correct these. When all input data are filled correctly, progress bar will get active and "Processing Data Into TUFLOW Format . . ." note will appear in the bottom left corner. Once all hydrographs and other outputs are processed the note will change to "Finished Successfully".

Summary

This page provides instructions of how to use the SCS to TUFLOW tool within the QGIS TUFLOW plugin to obtain inflow inputs for use within TUFLOW model. This requires the input of design rainfall depths for selected events and catchment parameters. Apart from the inflow inputs the tool also creates boundary database and event file that can be read directly into TUFLOW.
If you encounter any issues with the plugin please email support@tuflow.com.

References

1Auckland Regional Council, April 1999, TP108. Guidelines for stormwater runoff modelling in the Auckland Region.