River network panel

The '1D River Network' panel consists of the following parts:

• Network Window - This window, which is situated within the top half of the Network panel, displays the model units (in order) and relevant unit fields. The type of unit and node labels are also displayed.

• Initial Conditions Window - This window, which is situated towards the bottom half of the Network Properties Window, displays the initial conditions for the model nodes which are stored within the model datafile (Note that other initial conditions data may be stored in files with the extension zzs).

• Scroll Bars – There are separate horizontal and vertical scroll bars for the Network Window and the Initial Conditions Window.

• Splitter bar – This bar allows you to change the relative space occupied by the Network Window and the Initial Conditions Window.

General information about the river network panel

When Flood Modeller is launched, the Network panel should be visible by default. You may then use the ‘Load 1D network’ button under the Home tab to open an existing model or alternatively you may start building a new model directly in Flood Modeller using the 1D Build/Hydrology tabs.

It is important to note that the 1D simulation engine reads the ASCII data file (*.dat), thus any edits to the model file must be saved to an ASCII data file before it is run (the software should prompt you to save changes before a simulation).

After the data file selection, Flood Modeller will display the network chart for your model. For a new model, only one line appears in the Network panel. This is the General System Parameters Unit, in which a number of global parameters are set. If the data file selected is an existing one, then many more lines are displayed with each unit in the model appearing with the associated icon displayed adjacent to the given node name.

Units with the same label are connected. River and Conduit units are connected together in the order in which they appear within the Network panel, from the beginning to the end of the particular channel reach (the end of a river reach is signified by a zero distance step in the last River unit).

The columns can be re-ordered within the Network panel by dragging the column headers. Additional columns may also be viewed by using the following procedure: right-click anywhere on the Network Panel > Edit > Change display columns, and then dragging the desired additional column to the required position amongst the current column headers.

The right-click menu functionality

When a 1D network is loaded into the interface you can right-click on the Network panel to access a menu listing functions that can affect either the entire active network or the selected nodes (highlighted) within the Network panel. This section provides a summary of the functions provided by this menu:

File - the File option provides the following sub-menu items:

• Import model nodes – enables selected nodes to be imported into you active network. These can be copied from other networks (dat files) or from other event files (ied files). Selecting this option you are prompted to specify a filename to import nodes from. A new window is displayed listing all available nodes. You can select one or multiple nodes (rows) to import through a combination of clicking on a row and depressing the Shift or Ctrl keys (similar to multi-cell selecting in Excel)

  When all required nodes are selected you can drag these over into the Network panel. The imported nodes will be added into the active network immediately after the existing node on which you stop dragging (i.e. where you release the mouse button). Alternatively you can copy your selected import nodes to the clipboard using the Copy button above the node list (see above figure). Then highlight a node in the Network panel, right-click and select Paste from the displayed menu. The imported nodes will be added after the highlighted node.

• Import from HEC-RAS – enables you to convert HEC-RAS format cross sections and add them to the active 1D network as new river section nodes. You are prompted to browse to a HEC-RAS geometry file (e.g. “*.g01”, “*.g02”, “*.g03”, etc.), select all or a subset of available cross sections and then drag them into the active network. The import process will also read in channel roughness information, distances to next sections and any panel markers (where roughness changes across a section).

  Note that Flood Modeller will automatically name each new section added using a combination of HEC-RAS river name, reach name and section name (latter is usually a number). However, you also have the option to override the default naming and specify your own naming convention.

• Import initial conditions – enables you import a Flood Modeller initial conditions file (“.zzs” or “.iic” file extension). These files are generated from a steady state simulations or as snapshot outputs from unsteady simulations. When imported into your active network these data are used to update the embedded initial conditions data (as displayed in the initial conditions table below the network table in the lower right corner of interface).

• Import GISINFO from current dat file – Legacy ISIS models may contain georeferencing data in a “GISINFO” section embedded within the 1D network file (dat file). This option enables these data to be used to update the network gxy file (which is used to position nodes in the map view).

• Import visualisation from other file – Enables you to import georeferencing data from another 1D network. The tool will update any node in the active network that matches a node name in the user specified file. Compatible 1D network files (that contain georeference information) are files with extensions; “.gxy”, “.ixy”, “.xy” and “.txt”. Note that to browse to a “.gxy” file you will need to set the file type to “All files (*.*)” in the browse window. After importing these data remember to save your 1D network to store the changes.

• Export as network – enables selected nodes in the active network to be exported to create a new file. Select this option after highlighting the nodes you wish to export (use Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple nodes or select using map view). You will be prompted to select a type of export. The options are:

  • Full – creates a new complete 1D network file (dat file) with the selected node data plus the required header and footer information required to make a valid dat file (e.g. initial conditions list)

  • Partial – creates a file containing just the selected node data. The data are written in the same format as in a dat file and the file is given an .ied extension (same as an event data file).

  After selecting a type you are prompted for a filename and location (file extension is fixed depending on the chosen file type) before proceeding to create the new file.

  This function can be used to create event data files or sub-models from a larger master model (e.g. just covering a single tributary reach).

• Export initial conditions – extracts the initial conditions block of data from your selected 1D network file (dat file) and writes to a separate user defined Flood Modeller initial conditions text file with extension “.zzs”. This file can then be used as initial conditions for other networks either as a standalone file referenced by a simulation or imported into another 1D network (with some or all of the same nodes).

• Create event file - creates a file containing just the selected node data. The data are written in the same format as in a dat file and the file is given an .ied extension (same as an event data file). You are prompted for a filename and location before proceeding to create the new event file. The new file is automatically added to the Event Data section of your Project Panel, from where it can then be reviewed and edited (using the right-click menu options).

  This function can be utilised to build multiple event scenarios (e.g. different return period storm flows) for the currently active 1D network. These files can then be utilised in separate simulations to model each scenario. You can drag and drop event files from your project panel into the event data section of the 1D simulation window

  Find – Displays a new window for you to enter an expression to search for within the node labels of your active network. When Find Next is clicked the first node found containing the expression is highlighted in the Network panel. Each subsequent click of the Find Next button will move the selection to the next node containing the expression. At the end of the network the search loop backs to the start again.

  Click Cancel to stop searching and close the Find window.

  Cut – Removes selected node or nodes from active network (use Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple nodes or select using map view) and adds them to the clipboard. You can then use the Paste option from this menu to add the cut nodes back into your active network. They are placed after the node highlighted when you select Paste.

  Note that the clipboard is cleared when you make a different network active. So this function cannot be used to move nodes between networks (you must use the import function above for that).

  Copy – Copies selected node or nodes from active network (use Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple nodes or select using map view) and adds them to the clipboard. You can then use the Paste option from this menu to add copies of the nodes elsewhere in your active network. They are placed after the node highlighted when you select Paste.

  Note to create a valid network you will need to rename the copied nodes so they have unique names within the network.

  Note also that the clipboard is cleared when you make a different network active. So this function cannot be used to move nodes between networks (you must use the import function above for that)

  Paste - Add nodes copied to the clipboard to your active network. They are placed after the node highlighted in the Network panel when you select the Paste function.

  Insert - the Insert option provides four sub-menu items:

  • New unit – Enables new nodes to be added to your network (an alternative method to using the 1D Build toolbar tab). A new window is displayed that lists all available node types in a tree diagram.

    Select a node type to add and the unit name and (if applicable) sub-unit name (as it will appear in the Network panel) is displayed. Then click OK to add the node. You will be prompted to enter a node label for the new node (the same as when adding from the 1D build toolbar).

    The new node will be added immediately after the currently highlighted node in the Network panel. Therefore it is a necessary to select the node location for your new node before accessing this Insert function. Note that if you select multiple nodes in the Network panel and then select the Insert function then the new unit will be added after the last highlighted node.

    As this method is not defining a map location for the new unit when it is created, Flood Modeller will add the node slightly offset from the upstream node (i.e. highlighted node in the Network panel). Thus, it may be necessary to move the node into your required position on the map after it is added to you network.

  • Comment – adds a comment to your active network. You are prompted to type in the new comment, which will then be embedded within the network. The comment will be added after the highlighted node in the Network panel. Note that if you select multiple nodes in the Network panel and then select the Insert function then the new unit will be added after the last highlighted node.

    Comments will only appear in the Network panel (not in the map view or Nodes panel).

  • Wind – adds a wind data unit to your active network. You are prompted to enter a name for the new wind data unit, which will then be embedded within the network. It will be added after the highlighted node in the Network panel. Note that if you select multiple nodes in the Network panel and then select the Insert function then the new unit will be added after the last highlighted node.

    Wind data units will only appear in the Network panel (not in the map view or Nodes panel). Once the unit is added, double click on the unit in the Network panel to edit the associated wind data.

  • Rating curve – adds a rating curve to your active network. You are prompted to enter a name for the new rating curve unit, which will then be embedded within the network. It will be added after the highlighted node in the Network panel. Note that if you select multiple nodes in the Network panel and then select the Insert function then the new unit will be added after the last highlighted node.

    Rating curve units will only appear in the Network panel (not in the map view or Nodes panel). Once the unit is added, double click on the unit in the Network panel to edit the associated rating curve data.

  Delete – deletes the highlighted node (or nodes) from the active network. You may need to then save your network to refresh the map view to reflect these changes.

  Edit node labels – allows you to edit the name of the selected node in your active network. If the node type has additional names, e.g. spill labels for river sections, then these can also be edited at this time. You may need to then save your network to refresh the map view to reflect these changes.

  Properties – allows you to access the parameter window for the selected node in your active network and edit / review all node settings. This is an alternative to highlighting a node on the map and selecting 1D node properties option from the map right-click menu. Note that after making changes to a node’s properties you may need to then save your network to refresh the map view to reflect these changes.

  Copy to clipboard – copies the entire contents of the (upper) table displayed in the Network panel to the clipboard, allowing it to be pasted into an external application, e.g. MS Excel.

  Time series – accesses function for plotting time series from the active Network and active simulation. Data to plot will be selected from the highlighted node in the Network panel. If you select multiple nodes in the Network panel then only the last highlighted node will be used.

  Long section - accesses function for plotting long sections from the active Network and active simulation. Data to plot will be selected from the highlighted units in the Network panel. These units will be plotted in the order in which they appear in the Network panel.

  Cross section - accesses function for plotting a cross section from the active Network and active simulation. Data to plot will be selected from the highlighted node in the Network panel. If you select multiple nodes in the Network panel then only the last highlighted node will be used.

  XY series - accesses function for plotting XY series from the active Network and active simulation. Data to plot will be selected from the highlighted node in the Network panel. If you select multiple nodes in the Network panel then only the last highlighted node will be used.

  Model build - the Model build option provides six sub-menu items:

  • Multi comment - The tool inserts a single comment unit, repeated in multiple locations within the active network. This is solely for data management purposes and ensures that end-users and subsequent users are informed of the provenance of the data or any specific items of interest which may apply to more than one node. For instance, if several insignificant footbridges crossed a watercourse and therefore not modelled, you could apply the same comment, e.g. "Footbridge not modelled" at several different locations throughout the model.

    To apply this function:

    • Select the units for which you want this to apply in the Network panel (using the Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple units)

    • Right-click on the Network panel select Model Build > Multi comment from the displayed menu.

    • When prompted enter the comment text (same as for a standard Comment block) and click "OK".

  • Flip cross sections – function to reverse order of cross section points for the selected units in the active network, i.e. highlighted units in the Network panel. The points defining flipped sections will then be considered to traverse the section right-to-left as you face downstream (rather than the convention, which is left to right).

    Although this has no effect on the hydraulic calculations, the ordering may be important for the following reasons:

    • Linking with other tools, e.g. TUFLOW, may rely on the data ordering being correct

    • Any cross-referencing, e.g. of Left Bank, is correct

    • Ensuring consistency throughout this and other models

    • Improving clarity for subsequent users of the model

  • Link to reservoir - this enables multiple river sections to be simultaneously connected to the same existing reservoir unit, adding a spill unit in between and ensuring the correct connectivity. This speeds up the process whereby a reach containing many cross-sections is linked to a floodplain or other offline storage, represented by a reservoir unit.

    To apply this (it is assumed that the reservoir is already present in the active network):

    • Select all the river units required to be linked by highlighting in the Network panel (using the Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple units)

    • Select Model build > Link to reservoir from the Network panel right-click menu.

    • Select the name of the reservoir to which the sections are to be linked from the pull-down menu

    • The choice of Left or Right bank determines the elevations assigned to each end of the spill unit, either from the appropriate Left or Right bank marker location (if present), or the highest elevation left or right of the bed, within the River Section data.

    • The elevation data for the spills can be further refined, either manually or derived from a DEM using the spill generator tool.

  • Auto-interpolate - This function allows you to add multiple interpolate sections (or replicate sections for geometric conduits) at a user-specified minimum distance spacing. This enables the modeller to refine the distance spacing between cross-sections without the need for extra surveyed sections to aid stability in, for example, steep channels or low flow scenarios. NB a direct method steady-state simulation will give recommendations where extra interpolate sections are needed.

    This functionality applies to RIVER sections, CES sections and all types of conduits. RIVER, CES and CONDUIT SECTIONS will use INTERPOLATE sections; other types of CONDUIT (geometric shapes) will use REPLICATE sections (NB interpolate units are invalid with geometric conduit shapes).

    By using this facility, it is ensured that the correct connectivity is applied and that the cumulative chainage is preserved.

    To use this facility:

    • Select the required channel sections in the Network panel (otherwise all channel sections will be considered selected)

    • Right-click on the Network panel and select Model Build > Auto-Interpolate. Alternatively, the Interpolate button on the Model Build tab of the 1D options window may be used for the same purpose.

    In the 1D options window you are required to select the maximum spacing between successive cross-sections (Maximum Dx). Any sections with a spacing of less than this will be untouched; NB any units inserted between two existing units will be equally spaced with the largest possible distance so that the maximum distance criterion is satisfied.

    Also in the 1D options window you are able to select whether this setting applies to currently selected units via the relevant check-box; otherwise this will apply to all channel units in the model network.

    The 1D Options window also enables you to apply the interpolation to the unit locations in map view.

  • Auto de-interpolate - As its name suggests, this function may be used to remove interpolate and replicate units, and reinstate the combined distance to next cross-section in the upstream-most unit.

    NB It is not a pre-requisite that the units were inserted using the automatic interpolate tool.

    This enables you to either undo the previous operation, or to remove any extraneous sections which are no longer required.

    To use this facility:

    • Select the required channel sections in the Network panel (otherwise all channel sections will be considered selected).

    • Right-click on the Network panel and select Model Build > Auto De-Interpolate.

  • Go to selected nodes – zooms the map view to the location of the selected unit in the Network panel. The zoom extent will be defined such that the surrounding nodes to the selected unit can also be seen. If multiple units are selected in the Network panel then the zoom extent will be set large enough to see all highlighted nodes at the same time.