Aquaveo & Water Resources Engineering News

Making use of solid models can aid in modeling complex stratigraphy for MODFLOW. GMS allows using solid models to add complexity to your MODLOW projects. The solid module is used to model solids which then need to be mapped to the MODFLOW model for the solids to be included in the MODFLOW model run.

When adding solids to your MODFLOW project, the additional complexity can cause issues in the model run. To avoid undesirable outcomes, here are some tips for mapping solids to MODLOW:

1. GMS contains an advanced option called Set Operations. Generally speaking, Set Operations are no longer recommended methods for creating solids in most cases. It is recommended that you use the horizons approach instead.
2. Using a Raster Catalog can aid generating solids. The Fill/Clip method will help preserve the same distribution of materials while hopefully addressing any gaps or other instabilities preventing a successful Solids to MODFLOW operation.
3. If the Solids to MODFLOW command is still experiencing issues, the Classify Material Zones command can be used instead to transfer that material data to the grid. The material that gets assigned can be chosen in one of two ways. It will either be the material that covers the center of the cell or the material that covers the majority of the cell, but only one material can be assigned.
4. Alternatively, the HUF package can also be used to transfer materials as it allows for multiple materials without splitting the grid layers. However, if there are issues mapping Solids to MODFLOW, you may run into similar issues when attempting to map Solids to HUF.

Solids in GMS provide a great way to add complexity to your MODFLOW model. Try out using solids with MODLOW in GMS today!

Do you have a cross section database that needs to be included in your surface water project? A new feature in SMS 13.1.1 beta allows you to import a cross section database using the File Import Wizard.

A cross section database can be imported from a spreadsheet or a specially formatted text file. To import a cross section database from a spreadsheet or text file, use the following steps:

1. Make certain you have created a 1D hydraulic cross section coverage in your project. This is needed in order to have a place to store the cross section database.
2. If using a text file, make certain it is formatted correctly. It should include an XS ID or Station ID column in order to define the points found in each cross section.
3. Open the cross section database file using any of the methods for opening a file. This will bring up the File Import Wizard.
4. In the first step of the File Import Wizard, set the fixed width or delimited properties as appropriate for the file.
5. In the second step of the File Import Wizard, set the data type to be "Feature Data" and turn on the "Cross section database" option.
6. Also in the second step, assign the columns of the text file to make the station ID, and xyz coordinates. There is also an option for a PT type that allows you to annotate features such as thalweg, left bank, right bank, left toe, right toe, abutment, pier, and so on.
7. When done with the File Import Wizard, clicking Finish will import the database in your SMS project. It can be reviewed by looking at the arc attributes of the cross section arcs.

Once you’ve imported the cross section database, the cross section data is stored in the project file. Try out importing a cross section database into your SMS 13.1 projects today?

Shapefiles contain valuable data that can be used for modeling in WMS. If you have an existing shapefile that has arcs that define the streams for the area you will be modeling, you can use that shapefile to define the streams in your WMS project. Doing this can save you from manually having to define the stream arcs manually.

Do use a shapefile for stream arcs in WMS, do the following:

1. Import or download the shapefile into WMS. The file data will appear in the GIS module. Review the arcs to make certain they align with the stream location.
2. With the shapefile active, use the Mapping | Shapes to Feature Objects command.
3. In the GIS to Feature Objects Wizard, map the shapefile to the drainage coverage. If you are using another coverage besides the drain coverage make certain to select the correct coverage in the first step of the wizard.
4. After mapping the arcs to the drainage coverage, use the Select Feature Arc tool to select arcs along each stream.
5. Right-click and select the Attributes command to open the Attributes dialog for the selected arcs.
6. Change the attributes of the arcs to be Streams.

After creating the stream arcs, it is recommended that you review the streams to make certain the streams going in the right direction. Use the display option to see the stream arc direction and use the Reverse Direction command to change the direction of arcs.

It is also recommended that you carefully review the arcs that were mapped over to the drainage coverage. Delete any unnecessary arcs and clean up the arcs to improve the performance of the model. It is recommended that stream arcs be merged together except in locations where they branch or where a subbasin is meant to start. Merge arcs by changing a node to a vertex.

Shapefiles can help you build your watershed project in WMS quickly Try out creating stream arcs from shapefiles in WMS today!

Have you encountered issues when importing borehole data into GMS? The majority of the time, there are no issues when borehole data is imported into GMS, but occasionally something becomes misaligned. This article will attempt to address some of the common issues that occur when importing borehole data.

The most common issue happens when the borehole data file is formatted incorrectly for GMS. Often this can be fixed when importing the borehole through the File Import Wizard. Selecting the correct options in the File Import Wizard can resolve many issues. However, in some cases the borehole data will need to be reformatted using a spreadsheet program or text editor. If this is the case, follow the recommended borehole file format.

Another issue occurs when importing borehole data happens when the coordinate system for the borehole data does not match the coordinate system for the GMS project. When this happens, all of the boreholes will be unaligned with the project data or it may happen that all of the boreholes will be stacked on top of each other. This latter case typically occurs when the borehole coordinates are in latitude and longitude, but the GMS project is using a projected coordinate system, which would use linear units such as feet or meters.

To fix this issue, the correct projection needs to be set for the boreholes. This is done by doing the following:

1. In the Project Explorer, right-click on the imported boreholes and select the Projection command.
2. In the Object Projection dialog, set the projection to match the project projection.

With the correct projection set, the boreholes should line up with the project data.

Additional adjustments to boreholes can be made using the Borehole Editor. This is accessed by right-clicking on the borehole and selecting the Properties command. This method is best when only a few boreholes are imported incorrectly. If several or all boreholes were imported incorrectly, it is recommended to review the borehole data and fix any issues before importing into GMS.

For further troubleshooting with importing borehole data, contact our technical support team at support@aquaveo.com. Try out using boreholes in GMS today!