CEE 440/GLG 471/CEE545: Hydrology

Arizona State University

Lab Exercise 1:
Geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) data have become common
tools for the display, manipulation and analysis of spatial data for hydrologic science and
engineering applications. These tools have replaced older methods in cartography to automate
the planning and design process, including for hydrologic site analyses and model evaluations.
GIS also has broad applicability across many scientific and engineering disciplines.

This first lab exercise is an introduction to the use of GIS and remote sensing data for watershed
delineation. As discussed in class, a watershed is an area of the landscape that drains to a
common location. We will be using two types of remote sensing data: (a) topographic maps and
(b) aerial imagery, as well as several GIS layers that describe the urban environment. Our
application is centered on an urbanized watershed in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This lab exercise is novel in the sense that we will apply tools developed primarily for ‘natural
watersheds’ to the built environment. One can imagine that a city’s infrastructure will impact the
geometry and pathways of a watershed by changing natural courses through the stormwater
network consisting of pipes, canals, detention basins and other features.

This lab is intended to be exploratory in nature. Just like you would explore how to get from
point A to point B on Google Earth or Google Maps, we can explore how a section of a city is
organized into a watershed using GIS tools. These tools also allow more advanced analyses than
Google Earth or Maps since one is directly manipulating the datasets of interest.

The following pages will guide you through the use of a GIS tool known as ArcMap and its
associated features as well as the manipulation of the relevant datasets provided to you for the
exercise. The goal of the lab exercise is to complete the steps outlined below and submit the
short questions listed on the last page. Discussions are encouraged either within your team or
with other students, but each student should hand in their own answers for individual grading.

1. Obtaining ArcMap and Installing on Windows

We will be using the ASU license of ArcGIS 10.4 downloadable via the ASU my apps site:
https://myapps.asu.edu/home. This includes ArcMap 10.4 and extensions, including Spatial
Analyst. It requires installation on a Windows PC (2000, Vista or newer). In order to use the
ASU license, you either need to be on campus, or if you are off campus, you must download a
VPN to log into the ASU license. (For vpn installation instructions see:
https://math.asu.edu/resources/computer-resources/how-install-sslvpn-windowsmac). For Mac
or LINUX users, this can be installed on a Windows virtual machine such as Parallels. When
installed the program you will be prompted to select a set up type, please select complete to
ensure that all needed features are installed.

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The program is also available in the CAVC 533 and Computing Commons 102 computer labs,
though access to the lab space is on a limited-time basis. Speak to the TA as soon as possible if
you do not have a computer on which you can install ArcMap or cannot make the computer labs
hours to discuss.

ArcMap can then be launched in Windows from Start -> All Programs -> ArcGIS -> ArcMap
(the arrows imply searching through this particular path).

Figure 1. ArcMap application and dialogue box showing the creation of a new map.

Once ArcMap has been launched, the window in Figure 1 will be shown. Select “Blank Map”.

Explore the ArcMap User Interface (UI). The main panel to the right is where the maps and
datasets will be shown. This panel is georeferenced so that the location in the panel corresponds
to a specific location (latitude and longitude) on Earth. The icon with the red toolbox in the upper
menu is a short-cut to open ArcToolbox, a set of GIS analysis tools that will be used in the
exercise.

Many useful tools in the ArcToolbox will only operate properly after activating the extensions.
You will be using tools in this lab that require the Spatial Analyst extension. To activate this, go
to the ArcMap main menu Customize, select Extensions, check the Spatial Analyst and close.

When you use the toolbox icon, a new window will open that can be “docked”, or established as
a panel, in one of the ArcMap windows, as shown in Figure 2. Explore the different tools within
the toolbox. We will be using the tools under Spatial Analyst and within the section Hydrology.
Other tools within the toolbox will be used as required in the exercise.

Another set of tools that will be used are in the Spatial Analyst Toolbar. Access this from the
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Customize item on the main menu at the top of ArcMap. Within Customize, see Toolbars and
then select Spatial Analyst. A small new menu bar will appear that can also be docked (see
Figure 3).

Note: If the Spatial Analyst toolbox is not visible in the ArcToolbox or if double clicking on the
Fill tool produced an error message instead of a prompt window, then do the following: You
must first double-check that you have activated, authorized, and installed the Spatial Analyst
Extension. First, return to the ArcMap main menu Customize, then select Extensions, and be sure
that the Spatial Analyst is checked. Then, go to Start -> All Programs -> ArcGIS -> ArcGIS
Administrator and click on Availability in the left-hand pane. All the software on your DVD is
listed here. Scroll down to Spatial Analyst and be sure that there is a “Yes” under both the
installed and authorized columns. If the extension is not authorized, you will need to authorize it
using the license registration code in your DVD cover. If the extension is not installed, all
ArcGIS products should be completely uninstalled from your computer before beginning a
reinstallation of ArcMap (be sure to select a “complete” installation when prompted). Only
executing “repairs” to the previously-installed ArcGIS software often does not correct problems
or update non-functioning products like ArcMap.

ArcMap tools allow you to analyze data and produce output analysis files. Tool prompt windows
allow you to specify inputs, tool operating parameters, and output file names or locations for
almost all tools in the ArcToolbox. Prompt windows can also provide tiered guidance to help
address your questions about “how tools work” or why a tool is not working for you. If you
begin to experience problems when operating the appropriate ArcMap tools, use resources
described in the “ArcMap Self-Help Resources” section at the end of the lab procedure before
seeking additional help.

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Figure 2. ArcMap with ArcToolbox illustrating Spatial Analyst Hydrology tools.

Figure 3. ArcMap with the activated Spatial Analyst Toolbar docked at top right

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2. Obtaining Data and Opening in ArcMap

We will be using datasets compiled by the City of Scottsdale and their GIS department. These
datasets have been clipped or extracted for a small area in the northeast part of the city and are
provided in a zip file posted at
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7rdsol10zry6liq/Lab1Data.zip?dl=0. Obtain the dataset (200 MB)
and unzip to a specific location and note the path of the directory. An easy alternative to save
the data is on your local hard drive at a known location.

It is important to note the path of the directory as we will be searching for the data through
ArcMap and writing new data into the same directory. Your local machine will be labeled within
ArcMap using an assigned drive (in Figure 4, the local machine is C:\, for example).

Once the data is unzipped, use the Add Data button (black cross on yellow background) or obtain
on the main menu as File->Add Data. This will bring up a dialogue box. Click on the “Connect
to Folder” icon (folder with a “+”) and navigate until you find the directory with the data. Select
the Streets.shp file and Add. Repeat for the Pipes.shp file. These are shapefiles (*.shp) which are
used in GIS to store point, line or polygon geometry information. Figure 5 displays the Streets
and Pipes shapefiles.

Shapefiles can be manipulated in several ways. Double click on the shapefile layer icons within
the left side menu to see the properties associated with the shapefiles. Explore these options.
Shapefile colors and lines can be altered using the Symbology tab.

Figure 4. Add Data Dialogue Box after searching for Folder with Data.

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Figure 5. ArcMap display of Streets and Pipes shapefiles as data layers.

Figure 6. ASCII to Raster Dialogue Box.

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The next data set to be added is the elevation (10 ft resolution in horizontal) for the region. Prior
to adding this, the data format needs to be converted. For this, we will use the ArcToolbox ->
Conversion Tools -> To Raster -> ASCII to Raster. Once this tool is selected, a dialogue box
appears (see Figure 6). Find the input data, which in this case is the file sc10ft.asc (within the
Data directory obtained after unzipping Lab1Data.zip). This is a text file in ASCII format that
contains the elevation data. Name the output data for this procedure as sc10ft (follow Fig. 6) and
include the output data type as FLOAT (floating point or decimal values). The conversion will
take a few minutes, after which the elevation data (sc10ft) is loaded automatically, see Figure 7.
Try coloring the elevation data as in Fig. 7 using the Symbology tab previously described.

The final data set to be added is an aerial image of the region at 2 ft resolution. This file is called
scimg.tif and is a georeferenced TIFF file. Simply use the Add Data tool, find the data and
upload (when prompted, build Pyramids). It may take some time to upload. The image will have
a black region around the outside of the image. This can be altered by modifying the layer
symbology (Display background color value as white) as shown in Figure 8. Note that the aerial
photo, Streets and Pipes will be used here only for reference purposes. Most of our watershed
analysis will be based on the elevation data (sc10ft).

At this point, we have uploaded most of the relevant data sets for the watershed delineation. It is
an excellent idea to save the current ArcMap session at this point (or earlier). Go to File->Save.
Enter the filename in the dialogue box. Save the file in the same directory where the data is
stored to organize the activities. The name of the saved ArcMap document (*.mxd) will now
appear at the top of the ArcMap window. Once saved, the document can be opened easily the
next time ArcMap is launched.

Figure 7. Regional elevation data (sc10ft) with Streets and Pipes.

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 Figure 8. Aerial photograph data (scimg.tif) with Streets and Pipes.

Figure 9. Example of zoomed-in section: elevation around intersection of Loop 101 and remnant
“natural” channel.

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With all the data in hand, now is a perfect time to explore the region. The GIS layers can be
zoomed in or out using tools within the Tools toolbar. This typically appears automatically, or
can be accessed from Customize -> Toolbars -> Tools. For example, Figure 9 shows a zoomed in
portion with a low lying natural depression (remnant part of the natural drainage network) as
well as a low-lying freeway (Loop 101) part of the built environment.

3. Processing Elevation Data and Obtaining Urban Watershed

Watershed delineation for the urban area consists of manipulating the elevation data using the
ArcToolbox -> Spatial Analyst -> Hydrology tools. The procedure first consists of filling in any
depressions in the landscape (Fill), finding the direction in which water would flow in the
landscape (Flow Direction), and identifying the area that drains to every particular cell (Flow
Accumulation). For each step (in the above order), be sure to read the instructions carefully and
take a look at the Help -> ArcGIS Help for more guidance of the procedure. Each step has a
separate dialogue box (an example shown in Figure 10 for the Fill command) that requests to
specify input and outputs. Be sure to name outputs with names that make sense to you, such as
sc10ftfill, sc10ftdir, sc10ftacc, and save in the same folder. Expect that each command will take
a few minutes to complete.

Filling a digital elevation model (DEM): Utilizes the original elevation data (sc10ft) and results
in a depressionless landscape where all sinks or pits have been filled. (include no optional input)

Flow Directions from a DEM: Utilizes the filled DEM (sc10ftfill) and results in a map of the
flow direction in one of 8 possible angles: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 refer to E, NE, N, NW,
W, SW, S and SE, respectively. (include no optional input)

Figure 10. Fill command within ArcToolbox->Spatial Analyst-> Hydrology.

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Flow Accumulations from a DEM: Utilizes the flow direction (sc10ftdir) and results in a map of
the flow accumulation ranging from 1 to N, which indicates the number of upstream cells
draining to each particular pixel. (make sure the output is of INTEGER not FLOAT type)

Figure 11 and 12 exhibit the Flow Directions and Flow Accumulation results for the region. It is
a good idea to explore these fields and try to understand what the analyses mean. For the flow
directions, these are the aspects of each cell (direction in which they are facing), while the flow
accumulations start to reveal areas of high concentration of water flow (like a channel network).
These two fields reveal how the urban landscape is connected laterally and thus how water
would flow in the landscape under several important assumptions: (1) elevation data at 10 ft
resolution is accurate, (2) elevation data represents an impermeable urban surface, (3) there are
no depressions in the urban landscape, and (4) other means of transporting or storing water in the
urban areas (pipes, underground storages, stormwater conduits) are ignored.

Of course, the real built environment does not behave in this way, but these simplifications and
the high resolution of the data (10 ft) allow an approximation of the flow pathways in an urban
watershed. The next steps will consist of delineating the flow path network (or channel network)
in the urban watershed and identifying the watershed boundary. Both the channel network and
watershed boundary will have features imposed by elements of the built environment, including
roads, canals, intersections, parks, detention basins (that have been filled!), and others. One can
imagine that areas that are not built up (just north or east of this region) will have very different
channel networks and watershed boundaries that follow natural flow paths.

Figure 11. Flow Directions for regional DEM.

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 Figure 12. Flow Accumulations for regional DEM.

Figure 13. Raster Calculator for determining Flow Accumulations greater than 500 pixels.

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We will delineate the channel network by selecting a threshold of the Flow Accumulations field.
This is done with a simple raster calculation (Figure 13) that can be performed under
ArcToolbox -> Spatial Analyst -> Map Algebra ->Raster Calculator.

In the Raster Calculator dialogue box, select the Flow Accumulations field (sc10ftacc) and build
the expression sc10ftacc > 500 using the number pad. Change the filename to something
memorable (i.e. sc10ftstr). Hit Evaluate. This will result in a field added to ArcMap called
sc10ftacc_ras with 0 and 1 values. 0 represents False or no channel (values < 500) and 1
represents True or channel pixel (values of Flow Accumulation greater than 500 pixels). Since
each pixel is 10 ft by 10 ft, we are stating that a channel begins when 50,000 square feet of area
have been accumulated. Other values for this threshold (other than 500) could be selected to
increase or decrease the channel network density.

Explore the channel network layer and compare it to the Streets, Pipes, elevation and aerial
photograph fields to understand what has resulted in this operation. Figure 14 shows an example
of the channel network for a small area. Note that the network is entirely connected.

Figure 14. Channel network representation (with pipes and streets) for small segment near
southwest corner.

Once the channel network has been defined, we can delineate a watershed at any location within
the network. Some watersheds will be small, encompassing a neighborhood or a park. Others
will be larger and include most of the region of study. Here, we will delineate the watershed
upstream of a location selected along the ‘remnant’ natural channel. The pour point for the

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delineation is provided in the Lab1Data.zip file. Add Data and upload the Outlet shapefile. This
will result in a point located on the channel network itself (within the domain of Figure 14).

To delineate the watershed, we will use ArcToolbox -> Spatial Analyst -> Hydrology ->
Watershed. Figure 15 shows the dialogue box that selects the Flow Direction (sc10ftdir), the
Feature Pour Point Data (Outlet) and the name of the Output raster (sc10ftwat). The result of the
watershed command is shown in Figure 16 as large region that drains to the Outlet. Explore the
watershed and its boundaries in the context of the Streets, Pipes, elevation and aerial photograph.

For ease of manipulation, we will convert the watershed raster field (sc10ftwat) into a polygon
shapefile. Use ArcToolbox -> Conversion Tools -> From Raster -> Raster to Polygon. The
dialogue box requires the raster input (sc10ftwat) and the output shapefile (sc10ftwat.shp) as
shown in Figure 17. We will repeat this operation for the channel network by converting it to a
shapefile (polyline). Use ArcToolbox -> Conversion Tools -> From Raster -> Raster to Polyline.
The dialogue box requires the raster input (sc10ftstr) and the output shapefile (sc10ftstr.shp).

To clean up the analysis, we will extract or clip the channel network within the watershed. This
can be done by using ArcToolbox -> Analysis Tools -> Extract -> Clip. The dialogue box
requires the input feature to be clipped (sc10ftstr), the clip feature (sc10ftwat) and naming the
output (sc10ftstrc). After completion, a smaller channel network will appear (Figure 18).

Figure 15. Watershed command within ArcToolbox->Spatial Analyst-> Hydrology.

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 Figure 16. Watershed delineation upstream of the Outlet (Pour Point).

Figure 17. Raster to Polygon Command within ArcToolbox->Conversion Tools.

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Figure 18. Delineated watershed and internal channel network as shapefiles.

Figure 19. Delineated watershed, elevation field and channel network.

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Similarly, all the raster fields can be clipped or extracted to the basin boundary. To do this, use
the ArcToolbox -> Spatial Analyst -> Extract -> Extract by Mask. Select the input raster of
interest (sc10ftfill, sc10ftdir, sc10ftacc) and the extraction (or clip) feature (sc10ftwat). Name the
outputs as needed. This can be repeated for any of the raster fields. Figure 19 illustrates an
example for the filled elevation clipped to the watershed boundary with the channel network.

The Streets and Pipes can be clipped to the watershed boundary using the tool for clipping
shapefiles. ArcToolbox -> Analysis Tools -> Extract -> Clip. The dialogue box requires the input
feature to be clipped (Streets or Pipes), the clip feature (sc10ftwat) and naming the output.

4. ArcMap Self Help Resources

ArcMap provides ample resources for users trying to solve problems with using ArcMap tools or
locating appropriate tools to execute their desired analysis. These resources are presented in three
tiers of increasing complexity.

The first tier is a basic description of tool operation that is provided on the right side of each
tool's prompt window. When a prompt window is first opened, this description is general to the
tool's overall operation. But notice that clicking in each field of the given prompt window
produces a basic description (or restriction) specific to that input, parameter, or output.

The second tier is accessed though a button at the bottom of the tool prompt window labeled
“Tool Help.” Clicking on this button will open a more detailed article describing the specific tool
and its restrictions. This article is from the “on-board” ArcGIS Help Library that was installed
from your DVD with ArcMap. The on-board ArcGIS Help Library can be opened independently
through the Help menu option at the top of the ArcMap UI and searched for specific topics. The
ArcGIS Help Center installed on your computer is informative, but may not contain ongoing
updates that constantly make ArcMap tool articles more useable.

The third tier is the online ArcGIS Help System. This online version of a specific tool article can
often be accessed through a link provided in the on-board version of a tool's article. If no link is
provided, you can go to http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help, select the version of ArcMap, and
perform a search using the name of your tool (or for a general topic if so desired).

These three tiers of help (with additional support from Google searches) provide an invaluable
level of guidance for ArcGIS users of all skill levels. They can help users troubleshoot when
tools do not seem to be working, but searching through them can also help locate tools or
instructions based on the type of analysis the user wishes to produce.

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 Lab Exercise 1 Questions:

This watershed delineation exercise has been an introduction to using geographical information
systems (GIS) and remote sensing data (aerial photography and topography) for hydrologic
science and engineering in an urban setting. Please respond to the following questions by
providing both graphical representations obtained from ArcMap (File -> Export Map can be used
to output image files such as JPG) and developing short descriptions and discussions.

Discussions are encouraged among students during the exercise, but each student should hand in
their own answers. Answers will be graded.

1. Watershed Boundary and Channel Network

Describe the urban features that characterize the watershed boundary. What role do streets play
in determining the flow paths in the urban landscape? How could the stormwater network pipes
(Pipes) alter the watershed boundary determined through this exercise? Provide examples in your
discussion through figures obtained from the urban watershed.

2. Urban Watershed Properties

What is the total area of the urban watershed? What is the mean and standard deviation of
elevation within the watershed? What is the maximum elevation difference (or relief)? What is
the maximum flow length to the outlet?

3. Impact of Elevation Resolution (Graduate students only)

Investigate the impact of the elevation resolution on the watershed and channel network
delineation by resampling the elevation field from 10 ft to 50 ft. Resampling can be achieved
using ArcToolbox -> Spatial Analyst -> Generalization -> Aggregate and using a Mean
aggregation technique. Follow the special graduate student instructions below and create a
pour point shape file from text coordinates for use in your resampled analysis. Provide
examples of your resampled analysis and compare it to the original 10 ft analysis through
figures. Discuss the impact of elevation resolution on delineating an urban watershed. Discuss
and explain why you needed to create a new pour point for resampled analysis.

Graduate Student Question Section: Creating a shape file from a text file

The longitude and latitude coordinates of resampled analysis pour point are:

x,y
709514.450254, 936028.973251

Copy and save the above points into a text document named Outlet_50.txt (Microsoft Notepad) and
use Add Data to upload the text document. Text documents containing coordinates can be made
into permanent shapefiles in ArcGIS. You will now transform this text document, first into a
temporary file and then finally into a permanent shapefile.

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Right click on the Outlet_50.txt layer and select “Display xy data.” When the window opens, be
sure “x” is in the X Field dropdown menu and “y” is in the Y Field dropdown menu and click ok.

The pour point should now have appeared on your map document with the title “Outlet_50 Events
Layer.” An events layer is a temporary visualization of the coordinates in the text document as
points. It is dependent on the text file that you used to create it and not all toolbar or toolbox
commands will be able to use it. You will now use this events layer to create a permanent,
standalone datafile called a shapefile.

Right click on Outlet_50 Events Layer and go to Data → Export Data. You will be prompted to
select a location to save this shapefile and you will be given the opportunity to rename the shapefile
if you choose. Name the file Outlet_50.shp and save it with your other datasets. Click ok and the
shapefile should appear in your map document to be used for delineating with your aggregated
analysis.

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