Watershed modelling - basin delineation

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Layout

The WMS window is organized into the following sections:


	Key words: watershed,modelling,delineation,basin


	Modules


	WMS is organized into six modules. Each module is associated with a particular object type. Only one module is active at any given time. As you switch modules, the menus and the tools unique to the active module are displayed.

	TIN. Used for basin delineation with Triangulated Irregular Networks.
	DEM. Used for basin delineation with gridded Digital Elevation Models.
	Map. Used to create data layers from GIS objects (drainage, soil, land use).
	Hydrologic Modeling. Contains interfaces to hydrologic models.
	2D Grid. Used for finite difference models (currently research models only).
	2D Scatter Point. Contains 2D scatter point interpolation tools.

Tools

The action that takes place when you click in the graphics window depends on which tool is active. The tools are organized into two groups. The first set of three icons is for manipulating the display. The second set of icons is a group of module-specific tools that are used for creating and editing objects in the graphics window. The set of icons shown in this section of the tool palette are a function of the active module. A unique set of tools is provided for each module.

Macros

The macros are a set of icons at the bottom of the tool palette. Macros are shortcuts to frequently used menu commands.

Edit Strip

The edit strip at the top of the WMS window is used to edit the coordinates of selected objects (points, nodes, vertices) and a set of combo boxes for selecting the active coverage or TIN and data set. It tracks the x, y position of the cursor in the graphics window. Z values are also tracked for TINs or DEMs.

Help Strip

The help strip at the bottom of the WMS windows is used to display context-sensitive help. As you move the cursor over an item in a dialog, a menu command, or one of tools or buttons in the main window, a help string describing the function of the item is displayed in the help strip.

Background Images

When constructing a model within WMS, the first step is often to import and register a scanned digital image or aerial photo. This makes it possible to perform on-screen digitizing and ensures that objects are created at the proper location. It also can be used to provide a nice "backdrop" to your modeling project.

Draped Images

Images can also be "draped" or mapped to a TIN.

DEMs

USGS Digital elevation models in either the 1:250,000 or 1:24,000 (7.5 minute quadrangles can easily be downloaded from the web. These gridded elevation data sets can be used to quickly delineate watershed boundaries.

Key words: watershed,modelling,delineation,basin

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