Threshold color bars are linear histograms that compare incoming data against threshold values for a location. Because threshold color bars are usually location dependent, you will set the values for each time series icon individually. The name of the location appears adjacent to the threshold color bar, and the length of the threshold color bar represents a time line equal to the duration of the time window. Segments along the color bar reflect time intervals, with colors corresponding to the data quality legend you have defined. The threshold color bars are updated dynamically at the time interval that you entered in the Set Time Window dialog.

Threshold Color Bars

Regular Threshold

Regular threshold color bars should be used when the data you want to plot is flow or stage (not cumulative in nature). To set the regular threshold values for a threshold color bar: 

  1. From the Time Series Icon Editor dialog, click the Icon Types and Layers tab and click Threshold Colors.
  2. The Threshold Color Bar Editor for Time Series opens. Select Regular Threshold in the Color Bar Type box.
    Threshold Color Bar Editor - Regular Threshold
  3. To edit threshold values, click in the cells under the columns Lower Limit and Upper Limit. Enter values as needed. To add rows to the table, click Insert Row from the Edit menu.
  4. To associate a color with that threshold value, click in a cell under the Color column. A list of available colors will appear. Select the color you wish to use, and the color will now appear in the cell of the Color column.
  5. The Applies to area sets the properties for all similar threshold color bars in the watershed. There are four options to choose from:
    1. This Data Set Only - selected by default and sets the properties to only be used by the current data
    2. Parameter - sets the property settings to all time series icons using the same selected parameter
    3. Group - assigns a name to the properties, which can then be used and assigned to additional time series icon properties
    4. Global Default - sets the properties for all time series icons
  6. Click OK, and the Threshold Color Bar Editor for Time Series closes.

Cumulative Threshold

Cumulative threshold color bars are commonly used to display cumulative precipitation over time. To set the cumulative threshold values for a threshold color bar:

  1. From the Icon Types and Layers tab, click Threshold Colors. 
  2. The Threshold Color Bar Editor for Time Series opens. Select Cumulative Threshold from the Color Bar Type box.
    Threshold Color Bar Editor - Cumulative Threshold
  3. To edit threshold values, click in the cells under the columns Lower Limit and Upper Limit. Enter values as needed. To add rows to the table, click Insert Row from the Edit menu.
  4. To associate a color with that threshold value, click in a cell under the Color column. A list of available colors will appear. Select the color you wish to change, and the color will now appear in the cell of the Color column.
  5. The Applies to box sets the properties for all similar cumulative threshold color bars in the watershed. See the explanation above for more information on each option.
  6. Click OK, and the Threshold Color Bar Editor for Time Series closes.