Alternatives, Simulations,
and Analysis of Results
HEC-ResSim 3.1
Hydrologic Engineering Center
Overview & Objectives
HEC-ResSim Modules
Watershed
Setup
Network
Module
Simulation
Module
Alternative
What are Alternatives? and How to create one
What is a Simulation? How to create one and
what to do with it
Analysis of Results
HEC-ResSim Output Options
What is a ResSim Alternative?
An HEC-ResSim Alternative is a specific
selection of:
A Reservoir Network (model schematic with
physical properties plus operating plan(s))
The Computation Type and Interval (timestep)
The Active Operation Set for each Reservoir
The Initial Conditions for each Reservoir
The Inflows and other required Time Series Inputs
Composing an Alternative
NETWORK
OPERATION
SET
LOOKBACK
INPUT TIME
SERIES
Std. Ops
Normal Pool
100-yr
ALT 1
Planning Ops
Encr. Pool
500-yr
ALT 2
Std. Ops
Normal Pool
100-yr
ALT 3
Planning Ops
Encr. Pool
One Reservoir
Two Reservoirs
500-yr
ALT 4
The Alternative Editor
Required
Specifications
Network
(Based on a
Configuration)
Run Control
Operations
Lookback
Time-Series
Optional
Observed Data
Hotstart
List of
Alternatives
Tabs
Creating an Alternative
Create New
Alternative
Name the
Alternative
Add a Description
Select a Network
NOTE: Once you
press OK here, you
cannot change the
network selection.
Setting Up an Alternative
Run Control
Run Control Tab
Time Step
Flow Computation
Method
Compute
Unregulated Flows
Compute Holdouts
Log Level
Setting Up an Alternative
Operations
Operations Tab
Select an
operation set for
each reservoir
Save the
Alternative
List of Reservoir Systems
and Associated Storage Balance Operation Sets
List of Reservoirs
and Associated Operation Sets
Setting Up an Alternative
Initial Conditions
Lookback Tab
Lookback Variables
Pool Elevation or
Storage
Outlet Releases
Diversion Flow
State Variables
Lookback Types
Constant
Time Series
Computed
Setting Up an Alternative
Inflows & Other Time-Series
Time-Series Tab
Time Series Variables
include:
Inflow (Known Flow)
Evaporation Rate
Zone Elevation
Lookback Elevation &
Release
External Data for a Rule
or Diversion
The DSS Path Selector is
used to map (associate)
HEC-DSS time series records
to each entry in the table.
Inflow Multipliers
Plot and Tabulate
Setting Up an Alternative
The DSS Path Selector
To enter a
pathname into a
row on the Time
Series Tab
First, select the
row you want to
fill in, then
From the DSS
Path Selector
Highlight a
record and
Double Click
or
Highlight a
record and Click
Set Pathname
Setting Up an Alternative
Inflow Multipliers
Setting Up an Alternative
Observed Data
Observed Data Tab
The Observed Data tab
is similar to the TimeSeries Tab, however
The Locations and
Variables are identified
in the Network element
editors (reservoir,
junction, etc).
Specification of
observed data is
optional.
Managing Alternatives
Alternative Menu
New
Save
Save As
This option will
create a COPY of the
currently selected
alternative.
The Network
selection cannot be
changed, but
everything else can
Delete
Close
What is a ResSim Simulation?
An HEC-ResSim Simulation is a workspace in which
you can compute alternatives, analyze results, and
refine your model.
A simulation is defined by the specification of a Time
Window and a selection of alternatives.
The default Name of a simulation is formed from the start
time of the specified time window. HOWEVER, a more
descriptive name can and should be entered to replace the
default.
A sub-directory or folder is created to hold the simulations
files. It has the same structure as the watershed and
includes copies of all the files that define the alternatives.
Simulation Time Window
Lookback Period
To initialize the model
elements and routing and
reaches
Should be at least as long as
the travel time from the
upstream-most reservoir to the
downstream-most control
point
Simulation Period
The period during which the
model evaluates the input and
makes release decisions then
routes the releases and inflow
through the network
Should be at least 2x the
length of the lookback period
32
Hours
28
Hours
The Simulation Module
Create
Simulations
Compute
Alternatives
Review Results
Refine the model
Perform What
if..? scenarios
Creating a Simulation
From the Simulation Modules
Simulation Menu, select New
Enter the Lookback, Start and
End Dates and Times for the
simulations time window.
Select the Alternatives you
want to work with.
Enter a Name and Description
for your Simulation.
Creating a Simulation
When a Simulation is created, ResSim
creates
a new folder with the name of the Simulation in
the watershed/rss folder and puts a copy of the
watershed in it with those files needed to
represent the selected alternatives
a DSS file called simulation.dss in the simulation
folder and puts a copy of all the input time-series
records needed for the selected alternatives.
Running a Simulation
Make an alternative
Active
(right click menu)
Compute and check
the Compute Dialog
for successful
computation or
errors and
warnings.
Common Simulation Errors
Choosing a simulation time window that is beyond the coverage
of the selected time-series data
One or more Initial conditions are not specified in the Lookback
tab of the Alternative Editor
Input time-series has missing data
Common Simulation Errors
Input Time-Series have not been specified on the Time
series tab of the Alternative Editor
A required Time Teries is incompletely specified or the
specified file &/or pathname cannot be found.
Inflows at Headwater junction(s) are not identified or
specified
Routing parameters are not entered
Reservoir data is incomplete (pool definition, outlet
capacity, zones, rules)
Incomplete or broken network connectivity
Editing a Simulation
Open the Simulation
Editor from the
Simulation menu:
Select New
Or
Context menu:
Right-click on the simulation
name in the Control Panel
Change Lookback or End date
and/or time
Add or Drop an Alternative
Run a New Extract
When to make a new Extract?
When changing input time series links
When expanding the simulation time window beyond
the dates for which the data was extracted:
If the lookback is changed to an earlier date.
If the end of the simulation is changed to a later date.
Note
The simulation start time cannot be changed.
Simulation Control Panel
Set an
Alternative
Active
Compute an
Alternative that
is not active.
Check the
Alternative
boxes to access
results for the
checked
Alternatives.
Create Trials
Set As Active
Set As Active - This command makes the
alternative editable and displays its network in
the map region.
Run Manager
Select and
compute
multiple
alternatives
Review
Compute
Status
View
Compute
Logs
To Save-to-Base
or Replace-from-Base?
An Alternative is created
in the Reservoir Network
module and belongs to
the base rss folder of
the watershed.
The base
rss directory
When a simulation is
created, a copy of the
Alternative is made and
stored in the
simulations rss folder of
the watershed.
The simulation
rss directory
To Save-to-Base
or Replace-from-Base?
Save-to-Base: Updates the Reservoir
Network modules (base) copy of the
selected alternative and its associated
network data from the Simulation
modules copy.
Replace-from-Base: Recreates the
Simulation modules copy of an
alternative and its associated network
data from the Reservoir Network
modules (base) copy.
Points to Remember
Alternatives are a combination of:
A network
An operation scheme
A set of initial conditions
A set of inflows
Run Control selections
Simulations are a combination of:
A time window
A set of alternatives to run, refine, and compare
