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.

We will be using the following software throughout the week. Please download from the following links to a directory such as C:\Programs (not C:\Users or the Desktop).

We suggest you use 7zip to extract the files, default Windows software could result in problems with running HEC-HMS
HEC-HMS 4.14 Beta 3 (https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-hms/downloads.aspx)
HEC-DSSVue 3.4.15 (https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-dssvue/downloads.aspx)

Teams Channel

178, 26-01; Davis, CA; 20-24JUL26 - Communication between students, coordinator and ULC personnel

Quizizz Link

https://wayground.com/ (NOTE: instructors will show the site with QR Code / Link to each quiz during the class)

Instructors

Natalya Sokolovskaya (Course Coordinator) - Sokolovskaya_bio_2026_Prospect.pdf - natalya.l.sokolovskaya@usace.army.mil
Daniel Black - Black_bio_2026_Prospect.pdf
Alex Davis - Davis_bio_2026_Prospect.pdf
Jay Pak - Pak_bio_2026_Prospect.pdf
Nick Van - Van_bio_2026_Prospect.pdf
Katherine Werner - Werner_Bio_2026_Prospect.pdf
Matt Fleming - Fleming_bio_2024_Prospect.pdf

Day 1

Start	End	Duration (min)	Module	Topic	Instructor(s)	Links to Materials	Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures
08:00	08:30	30	Admin	Welcome, Goals, Class Structure, Practice Quiz	Natasha Sokolovskaya	L0_Meet_and_Greet_2026_dark.pptx
08:30	09:00	30	Admin	Pre-Test	Natasha Sokolovskaya	NOTE: only access when pre-test is administered by the instructor (can only submit once) https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/XLNdSSX7rv
09:00	09:15	15		Break
09:15	10:30	75	L 1	Introduction to HEC-HMS	Katherine Werner	L1_Introduction_to_HEC-HMS_2026.pptx	Overview of Hydrologic Modeling for Studies Introduction to HEC-HMS Playlist
10:30	11:30	60	W 1	Creating a Simple Model	Katherine Werner Nick Van	Creating a Simple Model Introduction Creating a New Basin Model Creating a New Meteorologic Model Creating a New Control Specifications Creating and Computing a Simulation Run Viewing Model Results Viewing Observed Flow
11:30	11:45	15	Q 1	Quiz covering L 1	Katherine Werner
11:45	12:45	60		Lunch
12:45	14:30	105	L 2	HEC-HMS GIS Delineation Tools	Natasha Sokolovskaya	L2_HEC-HMS_GIS_Delineation Tools_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS GIS Delineation Tools
14:30	14:45	15		Break
14:45	16:15	90	W 2	Applying HEC-HMS GIS Delineation Tools	Natasha Sokolovskaya Katherine Werner	Introduction Creating and Linking Terrain Data into a Basin Model Preprocessing Terrain Data to Delineate Subbasin and Reach Elements Using Merge and Split Tools to Customize Subbasin and Reach Delineation Finalizing the Hydrologic Network
16:15	16:30	15		Quiz covering L 2	Natasha Sokolovskaya
16:30	16:45	15		Review	Natasha Sokolovskaya
Feedback				Feedback
17:00	18:00+			Class Happy Hour at Woodstock's Pizza https://maps.app.goo.gl/6f5yL3ftcXABVkap7

Day 2

Start	End	Duration (min)	Module	Topic	Jul 2026 Instructor(s)	Links to Materials	Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures
08:00	08:30	30	Review
08:30	09:15	45	L 3	Shared Data Components	Daniel Black	L3 Shared Data Components 2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Shared Data Components Playlist
09:15	09:30	15		Break
09:30	10:15	45	W 3	Creating Shared Data Components	Daniel Black Katherine Werner	Introduction Creating Time Series Data Creating Paired Data Creating Grid Data
10:15	10:30	15	Q 3	Quiz covering L 3	Daniel Black
10:30	10:45	15		Review - Creating Shared Data Components	Daniel Black
10:45	11:45	60	L 4	HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools	Nick Van	L4 Basin Characteristics Parameter Expression Calculator.pptx	HEC-HMS Parameter Estimation Tools Playlist
11:45	12:45	60		Lunch
12:45	13:15	30	W 4	Applying HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools	Nick Van	Introduction to HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools Computing Subbasin and Reach Characteristics Estimating Parameters with GIS Datasets
13:15	13:30	15	Q 4	Quiz covering L 4	Nick Van
13:30	13:45	15		Review HEC-HMS GIS Parameter Estimation Tools	Nick Van Natasha Sokolovskaya
13:45	15:00	75	L 5	Meteorologic Models - Historic Precipitation	Katherine Werner	L5_Meteorologic_Models_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Meteorologic Models Playlist
15:00	1515	15		Break
15:15	16:15	60	W 5	Setting up a Meteorologic Model	Katherine Werner Daniel Black	Modeling Historical Precipitation Overview Gage Weights Precipitation Method Gridded Precipitation Method Creating an Inverse Distance Precipitation Model
16:15	16:30	15	Q 5	Quiz covering L 5	Katherine Werner
16:30	16:45	15		Review Meteorologic Models - Historic Precipitation	Katherine Werner
				Feedback

Day 3

Start	End	Duration (min)	Module	Topic	Jul 2026 Instructor(s)	Links to Materials	Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures
08:00	08:30	30		Review
08:30	09:30	60	L 6	Loss Rate Methods	Jay Pak	L6_Loss_Methods_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Loss Rate Methods Playlist
09:30	10:15	45	W 6	Applying Loss Methods	Jay Pak Natasha Sokolovskaya	Introduction to the Loss Rate Tutorials Applying the Initial and Constant Loss Method Applying the Green and Ampt Loss Method Applying the Deficit and Constant Loss Method
10:15	10:30	15	Q 6	Quiz covering L 6	Jay Pak
10:30	10:45	15		Review	Jay Pak
10:45	11:00	15		Break
11:00	12:00	60	L 7	Transform Methods	Natasha Sokolovskaya	L7 Transform Methods 2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Transform Methods Playlist
12:00	13:00	60		Lunch (Class Photo)
13:00	13:45	45	W 7	Estimating Clark Unit Hydrograph Parameters	Natasha Sokolovskaya Jay Pak	Introduction Estimating Time of Concentration and Storage Coefficient Time and Concentration and Storage Coefficient Impacts to the Hydrograph
13:45	14:00	15	Q 7	Quiz covering L 7	Natasha Sokolovskaya
14:00	14:15	15		Review	Natasha Sokolovskaya
14:15	15:00	45	L 8	Baseflow Simulation	Daniel Black Natasha Sokolovskaya	L8_Baseflow_Methods_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Baseflow Methods Playlist
15:00	15:15	15		Break
15:15	16:00	45	W 8	Applying Linear Reservoir Baseflow	Daniel Black	Introduction Applying the Linear Reservoir Baseflow Method Applying the Recession Baseflow Method Applying the Constant Monthly Baseflow Method (if time allows)
16:00	16:15	15	Q 8	Quiz covering L 8	Daniel Black
16:15	16:30	15		Review	Daniel Black
				Feedback

Day 4

Start	End	Duration (min)	Module	Topic	Jul 2026 Instructor(s)	Links to Materials	Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures
08:00	08:15	15		Review
08:15	09:45	90	L 9	Channel Routing	Jay Pak	L9_Open_Channel_Flow_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Channel Routing Methods Playlist
09:45	10:30	45	W 9	Applying Reach Routing Methods	Jay Pak Daniel Black	Introduction Applying the Lag Routing Method Applying the Muskingum Routing Method Applying the Muskingum-Cunge Routing Method
10:30	10:45	15		Break
10:45	11:00	15	Q 9	Quiz covering L 9	Jay Pak
11:00	11:15	15		Review	Jay Pak
11:15	12:15	60	L 10	Model Calibration	Alex Davis	L 10 Model Calibration_2026.pptx	HEC-HMS Model Calibration Playlist
12:15	13:15		Lunch
13:15	14:00	45	W 10	Calibrating a Simple Model	Alex Davis Jay Pak	Introduction Populate Initial Parameters Calibrate a Basin Model to Event 1 Calibrate a Basin Model to Event 2
14:00	14:15	15	Q 10	Quiz covering L 10	Alex Davis
14:15	14:30	15		Review	Alex Davis
14:30	14:45	15		Break
14:45	15:30	45	L 11	Model Calibration - Complex Studies	Alex Davis	L11_Advanced_Model_Calibration_2026.pptx
				Feedback
15:30	17:00	90	Project	Final Project Working Session - Develop a Calibrated Model From Scratch	Natasha Sokolovskaya Nick Van Alex Davis	Basic HEC-HMS Class Final Project

Day 5

Start	End	Duration (min)	Module	Topic	Jul 2026 Instructor(s)	Links to Materials	Supplementary Pre-recorded Lectures
08:00	09:30	90	Project	Final Project Working Session - Develop a Calibrated Model From Scratch	Natasha Sokolovskaya Nick Van Alex Davis	Basic HEC-HMS Class Final Project
09:30	10:15	45		Review Final Project.	Natasha Sokolovskaya
10:15	10:30	15		Break
10:30	11:00	30	Admin	Post Test	Natasha Sokolovskaya	See Links to PROSPECT Forms
11:00	11:30	30	Admin	End of Course Questionnaire	Natasha Sokolovskaya	See Links to PROSPECT Forms

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Hydrologic Modeling with HEC-HMS (July 2026)