Basic Node Modeling Question
Basic Node Modeling Question
(OP)
I have a site that has a topographical high point in the center which drains into two separate drainage areas (wetland drainage ditches/swales). The drainage areas are paralel to each other and run straight through the site.
My question is, how detailed does the routing diagram need to be? I delineated the drainage area in a great amount of detail on the topo map, however, I would end up with close to 40 nodes to define each drainage pattern. Do I need a node for every change in slope? Part of my problem is that the drainage area (or valley) receives drainage along the entire length of the site - do I need to stress about the channel length when the channel is receiving runoff along the entire length?
Any information or advice is greatly appreciated. I am not a civil engineer and have little experience with this level of detail with the modeling and just want to get a reality check.
I have gone through the tutorial and manual and can not find any clear guidance on this topic.
Thank you in advance.
My question is, how detailed does the routing diagram need to be? I delineated the drainage area in a great amount of detail on the topo map, however, I would end up with close to 40 nodes to define each drainage pattern. Do I need a node for every change in slope? Part of my problem is that the drainage area (or valley) receives drainage along the entire length of the site - do I need to stress about the channel length when the channel is receiving runoff along the entire length?
Any information or advice is greatly appreciated. I am not a civil engineer and have little experience with this level of detail with the modeling and just want to get a reality check.
I have gone through the tutorial and manual and can not find any clear guidance on this topic.
Thank you in advance.
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RE: Basic Node Modeling Question
As a general guideline, use the simplest model that will meet your design and modeling objectives. It's possible that your site may have just two subcatchments, with each swale represented as a flow segment (channel flow) within the Tc calculation.
For a discussion of channel modeling options please see www.hydrocad.net/reach.htm
For general Tc issues see www.hydrocad.net/tc.htm
Also please see the general how-to at www.hydrocad.net/howto.htm
Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software
www.hydrocad.net
RE: Basic Node Modeling Question
How big is the site?
You say you have little experience with this level of detail. I am not trying to be judgemental, but it concerns me that you have 40 nodes for 2 drainage areas. I would typically expect 2 nodes for 2 drainage areas. As Mr. Smart suggested, this sounds like a matter of becoming educated in SCS hydrology.