Return to Introduction to Calibrating and Validating a Single Event Model

Last Modified: 2023-02-28 13:47:39.715

HEC-HMS Version

HEC-HMS version 4.11 was used to create this tutorial. You will need to use HEC-HMS version 4.11, or newer, to open the project files.

Project Files

Download the initial project files here:

Russian_River.zip

  1. Open the Russian River project. Simulations have been created for all events. Models have been initialized using parameter estimates.
  2. Calibrate a model to the 1986, 1997, and 2006 events at each of the calibration locations: CV Dam Inflow, Ukiah Gage, Hopland Gage, Cloverdale Gage, Healdsburg Gage, and Guerneville Gage. Only adjust the constant loss rate when calibrating the models. The transform, baseflow and routing parameters have been set and produce reasonable results. The time of peak flow could be improved for some of the flood events; however, adjusting only the constant loss rate will improve the model's performance when simulating peak flow and runoff volume.  

    Tip

    Use a spreadsheet, document, or notepad to track parameters during calibration.

    Because we will be simulating the PMF and other low-frequency events to spillway adequacy and inundation extents, reproducing peak flows should be the primary consideration during calibration. Performance metrics that measure goodness-of-fit, like Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, indicate if we are accurately reproducing the hydrologic response.  The Percent-Bias metric indicates over or under-prediction of runoff volume.

  3. In a spreadsheet, document, or notepad, record summary information for the calibrated events Feb 1986, Jan 1997, and Jan 2006.

    Feb 1986 calibration summary:

    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow





    Ukiah Gage





    Hopland Gage





    Cloverdale Gage





    Healdsburg Gage





    Guerneville Gage





    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow

    -

    -

    11,364

    11,200

    Ukiah Gage

    -

    -

    12,368

    12,300

    Hopland Gage

    -

    -

    32,598

    32,900

    Cloverdale Gage

    -

    -

    40,987

    40,700

    Healdsburg Gage

    -

    -

    71,998

    71,100

    Guerneville Gage

    -

    -

    106,616

    102,000


    Jan 1997 calibration summary:

    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow





    Ukiah Gage





    Hopland Gage





    Cloverdale Gage





    Healdsburg Gage





    Guerneville Gage





    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow

    0.910

    Very Good

    7,791

    8,270

    Ukiah Gage

    -

    -

    11,363

    -

    Hopland Gage

    0.874

    Very Good

    20,508

    20,000

    Cloverdale Gage

    0.602

    Good

    29,081

    29,000

    Healdsburg Gage

    0.683

    Very Good

    62,438

    65,663

    Guerneville Gage

    0.601

    Good

    90,088

    82,100

    Jan 2006 calibration summary:

    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow





    Ukiah Gage





    Hopland Gage





    Cloverdale Gage





    Healdsburg Gage





    Guerneville Gage





    Location

    NSE

    Qualification

    Simulated Peak (cfs)

    Observed Peak (cfs)

    CV Dam Inflow

    0.925

    Very Good

    14,638

    14,600

    Ukiah Gage

    0.921

    Very Good

    22,250

    22,600

    Hopland Gage

    0.895

    Very Good

    35,902

    35,600

    Cloverdale Gage

    0.832

    Very Good

    50,517

    50,700

    Healdsburg Gage

    0.901

    Very Good

    62,062

    58,900

    Guerneville Gage

    0.710

    Very Good

    84,061

    86,000

Project Files

Download the final project files here:

Russian_River_Final.zip

Continue to Create a Validation Parameter Set