Date: 18-22 November 2024

Location: USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center, Davis, CA

Objectives

The course provides an introduction to the Hydrologic Modeling System, HEC-HMS, focusing both on using the program and performing watershed studies. The course starts with a summary and overview of the program and the mechanics of constructing watershed models. Then, components of the software are studied in detail.  Major modules include GIS tools, data entry, historic precipitation approaches, computing infiltration and excess surface runoff, transforming excess precipitation to runoff, baseflow, and channel routing. Parameter estimation techniques are taught throughout with instruction about model calibration. Instruction material is supported with workshops that illustrate the basic steps of building a model for project applications. A final project is included that ties together topics to create a calibrated model from scratch. 

The table below provides the schedule of instruction. Links to lectures, workshop pages located in the HEC-HMS Tutorials and Guides spaces, and YouTube videos are provided. All workshop files can be downloaded from the workshops pages. Watching the YouTube videos prior to the class is optional. You will need HEC-HMS version 4.13 beta 3 or newer and HEC-DSSVue version 3.3.29 to open the workshop files. You can download the software from https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-hms/downloads.aspx and https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-dssvue/downloads.aspx

Links to PROSPECT Forms

https://usace.llc.army.mil/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_108444_1&content_id=_9254079_1

ULC Course #178

Session #2501

Zip of Course Files

FY2025_Basic_HMS_Lectures.zip

Instructors

Day 1

StartEndDuration (min)ModuleTopicInstructor(s)

Links to Materials

Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures

08:0008:3030AdminWelcome, Goals, Class Structure




08:3009:0030AdminPre-Test
See Links to PROSPECT Forms
09:0009:1515
Break


09:1510:3075L 1Introduction to HEC-HMSDaniel Black L1_Introduction_to_HEC-HMS_2024.pptx

Overview of Hydrologic Modeling for Studies

Introduction to HEC-HMS Playlist

10:3011:3060W 1 Creating a Simple Model 
  1. Creating a Simple Model Introduction
  2. Creating a New Meteorologic Model
  3. Creating a New Control Specifications
  4. Creating and Computing a Simulation Run
  5. Viewing Model Results
  6. Viewing Observed Flow 

11:3011:4515Q 1Quiz covering L 1 Daniel Black 

11:4512:4560
Lunch




12:4514:30105L 2 HEC-HMS GIS Delineation ToolsHEC-HMS GIS Delineation Tools
14:3014:4515
Break




14:4516:1590W 2Applying HEC-HMS GIS Delineation Tools
  1. Introduction
  2. Creating and Linking Terrain Data into a Basin Model
  3. Preprocessing Terrain Data to Delineate Subbasin and Reach Elements
  4. Using Merge and Split Tools to Customize Subbasin and Reach Delineation
  5. Finalizing the Hydrologic Network 

16:1516:3015
Quiz covering L 2David Ho 

16:3016:4515
Review

Day 2

StartEndDuration (min)ModuleTopicInstructor(s)

Links to Materials

Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures

08:0008:3030Review



08:3009:1545L 3Shared Data ComponentsGreg Karlovits 
09:1509:3015
Break



09:3010:1545W 3Creating Shared Data Components


10:1510:3015Q 3Quiz covering L 3Greg Karlovits 

10:3010:4515
Review - Creating Shared Data Components

10:4511:4560L 4HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools
11:4512:4560
Lunch


12:4513:1530W 4Applying HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools
  1. Introduction to HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools
  2. Computing Subbasin and Reach Characteristics
  3. Estimating Parameters with GIS Datasets

13:1513:3015Q 4Quiz covering L 4

13:3013:4515
Review HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools

13:4515:0075L 5Meteorologic Models - Historic Precipitation
15:00151515
Break


15:1516:1560W 5Setting up a Meteorologic Model


16:1516:3015Q 5Quiz covering L 5

16:3016:4515
Review Meteorologic Models - Historic PrecipitationAvital Breverman 

Day 3

StartEndDuration (min)ModuleTopicInstructor(s)

Links to Materials

Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures

08:0008:3030
ReviewMelissa Mika 

08:3009:3060L 6Loss Rate Methods
09:3010:1545W 6Applying Loss Methods


10:1510:3015Q 6Quiz covering L 6

10:3010:4515
Review

10:4511:0015
Break


11:0012:0060L 7Transform MethodsHEC-HMS Transform Methods Playlist
12:0013:0060
Lunch


13:0013:4545W 7Estimating Clark Unit Hydrograph Parameters
  1. Introduction
  2. Estimating Time of Concentration and Storage Coefficient
  3. Time and Concentration and Storage Coefficient Impacts to the Hydrograph

13:4514:0015Q 7Quiz covering L 7

14:0014:1515
Review

14:1515:0045L 8Baseflow SimulationHEC-HMS Baseflow Methods Playlist
15:0015:1515
Break


15:1516:0045W 8Applying Linear Reservoir Baseflow
  1. Introduction
  2. Applying the Linear Reservoir Baseflow Method
  3. Applying the Recession Baseflow Method
  4. Applying the Constant Monthly Baseflow Method (if time allows)

16:0016:1515Q 8Quiz covering L 8

16:1516:3015
Review

Day 4

StartEndDuration (min)ModuleTopicInstructor(s)

Links to Materials

Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures

08:0008:1515
Review



08:1509:4590L 9Channel Routing
09:4510:3045W 9Applying Reach Routing Methods 


10:3010:4515
Break



10:4511:0015Q 9Quiz covering L 9

11:0011:1515
ReviewMelissa Mika 

11:1512:1560L 10Model CalibrationHEC-HMS Model Calibration Playlist
12:1513:15
Lunch



13:1514:0045W 10Calibrating a Simple Model
  1. Introduction
  2. Populate Initial Parameters
  3. Calibrate a Basin Model to Event 1
  4. Calibrate a Basin Model to Event 2

14:0014:1515Q 10Quiz covering L 10

14:1514:3015
Review

14:3014:4515
Break



14:4515:3045L 11Model Calibration - Complex Studies


15:3017:0090ProjectFinal Project Working Session - Develop a Calibrated Model From ScratchBasic HEC-HMS Class Final Project


Day 5

Start EndDuration (min)ModuleTopicInstructor(s)

Links to Materials

Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures

08:0009:3090ProjectFinal Project Working Session - Develop a Calibrated Model From ScratchBasic HEC-HMS Class Final Project
09:3010:1545
Review Final Project.Lauren Coe 

10:1510:3015
Break




10:3011:0030AdminPost Test



See Links to PROSPECT Forms
11:0011:3030AdminEnd of Course Questionnaire


See Links to PROSPECT Forms