ResSim has two import tools for bringing network data from another model into your current watershed. The first is the Import Network Wizard. This tool allows you to copy a network from one watershed into the current watershed. It will step you through the process of identifying the network you want to copy and resolving the associations between each network element and the reciprocal for the current stream alignment or watershed configuration.

The second import tool is the Import Element Properties Wizard. This tool is very similar to the Import Network Wizard, but it does not create a new network in your watershed; instead, it copies data from elements in one network into the elements in your current network. The Import Element Properties Wizard will step you through the process of selecting the network from which you are going copy the element data and resolving the connectivity to the other elements and their model variables.

The Import Network Wizard

The purpose of the Import Network Wizard (or Network Importer) is to copy a network from one watershed into another. This is usually needed when an existing watershed is copied and used for a different purpose or study than that of the original model. During its use in the newer study, the model may have evolved and been enhanced in ways that could be useful in the context, or for the purpose, of the original watershed.

However, since the new (copied) watershed "evolved", there may be differences in the underlying framework (the stream alignment and/or configuration) of the network to be imported that must be addressed in order for that network to function as a native part of the watershed it is being imported into.

In addition, there's nothing to prevent you from importing a network from a watershed that did not share its development path with the watershed it is being imported into. The source watershed could be older or lacking in some way (or even broken) and by importing its network into a newer or more complete watershed, the older network can be updated and used as part of the new watershed. 

For each step of the process, the Import Network Wizard displays a different dialog panel. Each panel identifies the current Step in the title bar and tells you what the objective of the step is with a label in the upper left corner of the panel (below the title bar). The process involves six steps:

  1. Select the Watershed—select the source watershed that contains the network you want to import into your current watershed.
  2. Select the Network to Import Elements from—select the source network.
  3. Set New Network Name—the process of importing a network creates a new network in your current watershed, so you are given the option to give the new network a new name and description.
  4. Assign Stream Names—associate streams in your current watershed's stream alignment to the schematic elements in the network you are importing.
  5. Resolve Network Computation Points—associate computation points in your current watershed schematic to the junctions in the source network.
  6. Review the Import Summary and Finish—this step shows you a listing of the current stream or computation point associations you made for the various elements of the network you are importing. It also shows what elements, if any, have not been associated to elements in your current watershed. Be sure to review the summary carefully.

The steps for importing a Reservoir Network into your current watershed are as follows:

  • Select Import Network… from the Network menu. ("Figure: Network Menu - Import Network...").
    NetworkMenu-ImportNetwork.png

    Figure: Network Menu - Import Network...


    The Import Network Wizard will open and display the Step 1 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 1 - Select the Watershed"). This panel shows two tables.

  • Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 1 - Select the Watershed


  • The first table lists the Watershed Locations (shortcuts) you currently have defined in ResSim. Select the appropriate watershed location.

  • The second table lists the Watersheds that ResSim found at the selected watershed location. Select the watershed that contains the network you want to import.

  • NEW IN RESSIM 4.0 - Watershed File: Users can navigate to the watershed folder and select the watershed without having to map the watershed location.

    Note: If you would like to map a watershed location, Instructions for creating a shortcut/watershed location are provided in Defining a Watershed Location and in ResSim Application Settings.

  • Click Next> to proceed to the next step (or Cancel to abort the import process and exit the Import Wizard).

  • The Import Network Wizard will display the Step 2 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 2 - Select the Network to Import Elements from"). The Select the Network to Import Elements from panel shows the name of the source Watershed you selected and a list of the Available Networks it contains.

    Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 2 - Select the Network to Import Elements from


  • Select the source network (from which you would like to import all its elements).
  • Click Next> to proceed to the next step or <Back to return to the previous step.

  • The Import Network Wizard will display the Step 3 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 3 - Set New Network Name and Description"). The top half of the Set New Network Name and Description panel shows the name of the current watershed and a list of the networks that exist in it. The bottom half has two textboxes which contain the name and description of the source network.

    Figure: Import Network Wizard - Step 3 - Set New Network Name and Description


  • If you select an existing Network and hit next, rather than providing a unique name, a warning message will appear asking if you would like to continue and overwrite the file. Yes will confirm the overwrite, No will return you to the Import Network Wizard. ("Figure: Duplicate Warning Message")
  • You can let the New (imported) Reservoir Network have the same name and description as its source or you can enter a new Name and Description.
  • Click Next> to proceed to the next step (or <Back to return to the previous step.)

  • The Import Network Wizard will display the Step 4 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 4—Assign Stream Names"). The Assign Stream Name panel shows the name of the current Watershed as well as the name you specified for the New Network and the name of the Import From (source) Network. This panel also contains a table showing a list of the network Elements to be Imported, their Element Type, and the (From) Stream they are associated with in the source watershed.

    Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 4—Assign Stream Names


  • In the last column of the table, you will associate a stream in the current watershed to each element in the list. If any of the streams in the current watershed have the same name as a stream in the source watershed, ResSim will assume they are the same stream and will fill in those cells of the table for you. You have two options for assigning streams to each element:
    • Assign the streams, one at a time, to each element in the list by selecting an appropriate steam from the drop-down list in each cell. Or…
    • Assign the streams all at once by clicking the Assign Stream Names button, then, for each stream listed in the From Stream column in the Select Stream Name dialog, select a stream from your current watershed from the selection list in each cell in the To Stream column. When done, click OK. The importer will use the associations you made to complete the To Stream column of the Assign Stream Names table.
  • Click Next> to proceed to the next step (or <Back to return to the previous step).

  • The Import Network Wizard will display the Step 5 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 5—Resolve Network Computation Points"). The Resolve Network Computation Points panel starts by identifying the current watershed which is followed by a selection list of the available configurations. Select the configuration that you want the new (imported) network to be associated with.

    Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 5—Resolve Network Computation Points


  • The Resolve Network Computation Points panel also includes a table containing a list of the model schematic elements to be imported from the source network. Your objective is to associate each element with a watershed schematic element from the selected configuration in the current watershed. Use the drop-down list in each cell to make your selections. This can be a tedious process so take your time.
  • Click Next> to proceed to the next step (or <Back to return to the previous step).

  • The Import Network Wizard will display the Step 6 of 6 panel ("Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 6—Import Summary").

    Figure: Import Network Wizard—Step 6—Import Summary


  • Review the Import Summary carefully. This is your last chance to double-check all the work you put in mapping (associating) the imported elements to streams and configurations.

  • Select Finish to carry out the Network import, or select Back to make changes in previous steps. A confirmation dialog will open…

    • Select Yes in the Continue with Import dialog ("Figure: Continue with Import") to perform the import. Or…

      Figure: Continue with Import


    • Select No to return to Step 6 of 6 of the Import Network Wizard. From there, you can go <Back to a previous step to revise one or more entries or Cancel the process and exit the Wizard.

  • Review the imported network carefully. The Importer is good but not perfect. Areas for careful review include:
    • Any rule, constraint, or condition that is a function of a time series (model, state, or external variable)—the links may look okay, but it wouldn't hurt to reset them.
    • Downstream connectivity—any rule or feature that identifies another element in its setup should be reviewed. These features include downstream control rules, tandem rules, pump rules, and tailwater definitions.
    • Any state variable or scripted rule—scripts often reference other model elements, but the importer does not have the ability to revise the names of those elements in the scripts during the import process.

The Import Element Properties Wizard

After network elements have been drawn and labeled, physical and operational data can be imported from another network using the Import Element Properties Wizard. Data that can be imported include:

  • reservoir storage and outlet capacity
  • reservoir operation sets and rules
  • reach routing method and parameters
  • junction data, and
  • diversion data.

To use the import wizard, open the Network that data will be imported into. Then, perform the following six steps:

  • From the Edit menu in the Reservoir Network module, select Import Element Properties…. The Import Element Properties Wizard—Step 1 of 6 will appear ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 1 - Select Network Elements").

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 1 - Select Network Elements


  • Select the network elements that you would like to import physical and operational data into from an existing network by checking the Import boxes to the left of the Network Element names or by clicking Select All Elements located in the upper right region of the editor.

  • Select Next to continue and the Import Element Properties Wizard—Step 2 of 6 will appear ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 2 - Select Watershed to Import Data from"). Select the watershed that contains the network from which you would like to import physical and operational data. The box on the left side of the dialog contains names of Watershed Locations that have been specified as Model Directories. The box on the right side of the dialog contains all the watersheds that can be found in each Watershed Location. When the desired watershed is highlighted, click Next.

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 2 - Select Watershed to Import Data from


  • Select Next to continue and the Import Element Properties Wizard—Step 3 of 6 will appear ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 3 - Select Network to Import Elements from"). Select the specific network from which you would like to import physical and operational data.

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 3 - Select Network to Import Elements from


  • Select Next to continue and the Import Network Elements Wizard—Step 4 of 6 will appear ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 4 - Assign Network Elements"). Assign the element properties to be imported by matching the appropriate elements in the Import From column with their corresponding elements in the Import Into column.

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 4 - Assign Network Elements


  • Select Next to continue and the Import Element Properties Wizard—Step 5 of 6 will appear ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 5 - Resolve Network Connectivity"). Resolve network connectivity by choosing the element in the Select Network Element column that you would like the corresponding rule to be applied to. In most cases, what is chosen in the Select Network Element column will match the network element in the References Element column.

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 5 - Resolve Network Connectivity


  • Select Next to continue to the Import Element Properties Wizard—Step 6 of 6 ("Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 6 - Import Summary"). Resolve network connectivity by choosing the element in the Select Network Element column that you would like the corresponding rule to be applied to. In most cases, what is chosen in the Select Network Element column will match the network element in the References Element column.

    Figure: Import Element Properties Wizard - Step 6 - Import Summary


  • Select Finish to carry out the import, or select Back to make changes in the previous steps. If you are sure about the import, confirm by selecting Yes in the Continue with Import dialog ("Figure: Continue with Import"). Choosing No will return you to the Wizard's Step 6 of 6.

    Figure: Continue with Import


  • After finishing with the Element Properties Import process, a dialog will appear summarizing the results of the import carried out. Check to ensure that all physical and operational data was successfully imported by reviewing the Import Results summary ("Figure: Import Results") and by viewing the various network element editors in the Reservoir Network module.

    Figure: Import Results


  • Select Close to complete the process of Importing Element Properties from one Watershed/Network into another.