Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
(OP)
I am looking for some guidance on what programs may be best to design multiple ponds in series with pipes in between.
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=142974
That thread has some great information about HydroCAD, Hydroflow, Pondpack, HEC-HMS, etc., but is from 2005-2006.
We already have Hydroflow (as it is packaged with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009) and I am wondering if purchasing HydroCAD would be advantageous. Pondpack is too expense (and complicated) and it seems like the other programs mentioned in the thread were not recommended as much.
I used HydroCAD five years ago when I was right out of school at another company and remember it being very user friendly.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks - Jennifer
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=142974
That thread has some great information about HydroCAD, Hydroflow, Pondpack, HEC-HMS, etc., but is from 2005-2006.
We already have Hydroflow (as it is packaged with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009) and I am wondering if purchasing HydroCAD would be advantageous. Pondpack is too expense (and complicated) and it seems like the other programs mentioned in the thread were not recommended as much.
I used HydroCAD five years ago when I was right out of school at another company and remember it being very user friendly.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks - Jennifer





RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
I believe that Hydraflow is limited to fixed tailwater conditions, so it cannot be used for interconnected ponds.
Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software
www.hydrocad.net
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
But it might not be the best choice for a "detailed system".
I have SewerGEMS too. But can't recommend it!
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
The outflow is a function of the upstream water-surface elevation.
HEC RAS for unsteady flow.
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
The outflow is a function of the upstream water-surface elevation.
That is called inlet control. HEC-HMS is a kinematic, cascading flow model, that does not account for backwater effects.
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
But ... maybe he don't need it.
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Meant HEC HMS !
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
E.g. Series of ponds, with height difference, connected with culvert (pipes)/stream.
Then it could be solved with hydrological routing methods (ex.: Kinematic Wave) with or without tailwater information (rating curve, fix stage) in HMS.
HEC RAS can do it too (but wasn't mention as an option).
I don't say I'd recommend it, but it can do the job.
It might actually be easier to define the caracteristics of the discharge control (inline structure) with RAS than SWMM. Then using area-elevation or volume-elevation information and a correct discharge rating curve should be ok for a "pond". Pipe could be set as culverts (I'm thinking they're) + any stream section.
HydroCAD do that actually... You have to specity a culvert outlet device on the upper pond.
Sorry but HMS can do that... Ouflow structure with culvert, spillway, dam tops, pumps, etc.
RAS can do that too...
Not sure SWMM is the best software to do that - How do you define a pond in SWMM?? A large trapezoidal channel ?? Can you define a spillway as in HMS or RAS (OGEE, Broaded, Sharp + Gates).
RE: Hydroflow vs. HydroCAD vs. HEC-HMS for Design of Ponds
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