WATFLOOD: a Micro-Computer Based Flood Forecasting System Based on Real-Time Weather Radar

WATFLOOD is a menu-driven micro-computer based flood forecasting system incorporating data management programs to enable real-time use of weather radar for flood forecasting. It includes a radar calibration model called CALIBR and a simulation model called SIMPLE, which is the heart of the system. SIMPLE is a process-based hydrologic simulation model programmed in FORTRAN77. Only the most dominant hydrologic processes affecting flood flows are included. The programming for inputing streamflow, gage rainfall, and reservoir releases uses a spreadsheet type of input format.SIMPLE features an automatic pattern search optimization algorithm to determine which combination of parameters best fit measured conditions. The parameters for optimization are: soil permeability, overland flow roughness, channel roughness, depression storage, and an upper zone depletion factor. In the operational mode, the calibration option is used to determine the initial soil moisture based on real-time measurements of streamflow.Rada...