Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry Command

In GeoSTORM software, the Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry command is used to import GIS geometry data shapefiles to create a new stormwater project.

Follow the steps below to use the Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry command:

1. From the Input ribbon menu, click on the Import Data dropdown menu and select the Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry command.
   
2. The Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry dialog box will be displayed.
   

The following sections describe how to use the Import Stormwater Shapefile Geometry command and interact with the above dialog box.

Subbasins

The Subbasins panel allows the user to import the subbasin geometry using the polygon shapefile, which can be used to define the subbasin elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Subbasins panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the subbasin shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Subbasin Shapefile Data

The following options are available in this section:

• Polygon Shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the subbasin shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only polygon shapefiles.
• Subbasin ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the subbasin ID using the subbasin attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name subbasin ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each subbasin. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or by manually defining the format of the ID.
  The different subbasin naming formats present in the Auto-name subbasin ID option are as follows:
  1. Subbasin ID prefix: This checkbox entry allows a prefix to be added to the subbasin ID.
  2. Subbasin ID digits: This entry field allows the user to set the number of digits to be used for subbasin ID. For example, using 3 digits causes the subbasin ID to be of the format 001, 002, and 003.
  3. Next available subbasin ID: This entry field defines the next subbasin ID number to be used.
  4. Subbasin ID increment: This entry field defines the increment to use when numbering subbasins. The default value is 1.
  5. Subbasin ID suffix: This checkbox entry allows a suffix to be added to the subbasin ID.
  6. Subbasin ID preview: This read-only field provides a preview of the subbasin ID defined in this section.
• Drainage area field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the subbasin area using the subbasin attributes defined in the shapefile data. The user can select the attribute field from the dropdown combo box provided next to this option. This dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain numeric values.
• Compute drainage area from subbasin polygons (for missing data): This checkbox option causes the software to automatically compute the drainage area from the digitized polygon. This option allows the user to compute drainage area when data are missing or present an unreadable value. Note that this option is checked by default.

Other Subbasin Shapefile Data

This section allows the user to define various subbasin properties using the subbasin attributes defined in the imported shapefile data as:

• Curve number
• Impervious data
• Lag time
• Time of concentration, and
• Overland flow slope

Subbasin Network Connectivity Options

The following options are available in this section:

• Downstream connection element field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select downstream connection element attributes within the set snap distance that the selected subbasin drains to.
• Auto-snap to downstream connection element (for missing data): While importing GIS data, if downstream connection data are missing or do not match other elements, the software will automatically search the nearest node for the digitized polygon. In this subsection, the Element connection snap distance entry field allows the user to define the search distance to snap the subbasin to an element.

  Alternatively, the user can click the […] button to measure the snap distance from the Map View. The auto-snap option can be utilized for the following project elements:

  1. Manhole and junctions
  2. Pipes and reaches
  3. Ponds and storage areas

Manholes

The Manholes panel allows the user to import the manhole geometry using the node shapefile, which can be used to define manhole elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Manholes panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the manhole shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Manhole Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Node shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the manhole shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only node shapefiles.
• Manhole ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the manhole ID using the manhole attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name manhole ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each manhole. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or manually define the format of the ID. Note that this auto-name option is similar to the Auto-name subbasin ID option explained above for the Subbasins panel.

Assign Rim Elevation

This section contains the following options:

• Rim elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to assign the manhole rim elevation using the manhole attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. This dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain numeric values.
• Compute rim elevation from terrain surface (for missing data): If the imported manhole rim elevation data contain missing or unreadable values, this section causes the software to automatically compute the rim elevation from the defined terrain surface. To assign rim elevation, the Terrain elevation source dropdown combo box supports the following surface types:
  1. CAD Drawing
  2. Elevation Grid
  3. GIS Contours
  4. LandXML Data
  5. Terrain Surface
  6. TIN Surface

  Based on the selected terrain elevation source, the content of the Assign Rim Elevation section will change accordingly.

Assign Invert Elevation

This section contains the following options:

• Invert elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to assign the manhole invert elevation using the manhole attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain numeric values.
• Compute invert elevation from terrain surface (for missing data): If the imported invert elevation data for the manhole contain missing or unreadable values, this section causes the software to automatically compute the invert elevation from the defined terrain surface. To assign invert elevation, the Terrain elevation source dropdown combo box supports the following surface types:
  1. CAD Drawing
  2. Elevation Grid
  3. GIS Contours
  4. LandXML Data
  5. Terrain Surface
  6. TIN Surface

  Based on the selected terrain elevation source, the content of the Assign Invert Elevation section will change accordingly.

• Manhole depth field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define an invert depth by raising or lowering the invert of the manhole by the specified amount.
• Default depth (for missing data): If during computation of the invert elevation data, the terrain surface data are missing or contain unreadable values for manhole depth, this entry causes the software to assume a manhole depth to compute the invert elevation from the defined terrain surface.
• Manhole sump depth field: This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to define sump depth for the defined manholes.
• Default sump depth (for missing data): If during computation of the invert elevation data, the terrain surface data are missing or contain unreadable values for manhole sump depth, this entry causes the software to automatically compute the invert elevation from the defined terrain surface.

Junctions

The Junctions panel allows the user to import the junction geometry using the node shapefile, which can be used to define junction elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Junctions panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the junction shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Routing Junction Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Node shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the junction shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only node shapefiles.
• Routing junction ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the routing junction ID using the junction attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name routing junction ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each routing junction. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or manually define the format of the ID. Note that this auto-name option is similar to the Auto-name subbasin ID option explained above for the Subbasins panel.

Assign Routing Junction Elevation

This section contains the following options:

• Routing junction elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the junction elevation using the junction attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. This dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain numeric values.
• Compute routing junction elevation from terrain surface (for missing data): If the imported junction elevation data contain missing or unreadable values, this section causes the software to automatically compute the routing junction elevation from the defined terrain surface. To assign routing junction elevation, the Terrain elevation source dropdown combo box supports the following surface types:
  1. CAD Drawing
  2. Elevation Grid
  3. GIS Contours
  4. LandXML Data
  5. Terrain Surface
  6. TIN Surface

  Based on the selected terrain elevation source, the content of the Assign Routing Junction Elevation section will change accordingly.

Storage Areas

The Storage Areas panel allows the user to import the storage area geometry using the polygon shapefile, which can be used to define the storage area elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Storage Areas panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the storage area shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Storage Area Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Polygon shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the storage area shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only polygon shapefiles.
• Storage Area ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the storage area ID using the storage area attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name storage area ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each storage area. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or manually define the format of the ID. Note that this auto-name option is similar to the Auto-name subbasin ID option explained above for the Subbasins panel.

Assign Invert Elevation

This section is similar to the Assign Invert Elevation section of the Manholes panel. Refer to this section of this article as explained above.

Storage Area Network Connectivity Options

This section is similar to the Subbasin Network Connectivity Options section of the Subbasins panel. Refer to this section of this article as explained above.

Pipes

The Pipes panel allows the user to import the pipe geometry using the polyline shapefile, which can be used to define the pipe elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Pipes panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the pipe shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Pipe Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Polyline shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the pipe shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only polyline shapefiles.
• Pipe ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the pipe ID using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name pipe ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each pipe. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or manually define the format of the ID. Note that this auto-name option is similar to the Auto-name subbasin ID option explained above for the Subbasins panel.

Other Pipe Shapefile Data

This section contains the following sections:

• Pipe diameter field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the pipe diameter using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default diameter (for missing data): If during the importing of the pipe diameter data, the data are missing or contain unreadable values, this entry causes the software to assign a default diameter to the pipe.
• Pipe Manning’s roughness field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define Manning’s roughness for the pipe using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default roughness (for missing data): If during the importing of the pipe roughness data, the data are missing or contain unreadable values, this entry causes the software to assign a default roughness for the pipe. Clicking the […] lookup button allows the user to view the reference Manning’s roughness values.
• Upstream invert elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define upstream invert elevation using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Downstream invert elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define downstream invert elevation using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default sump depth (for missing data): If during the importing of the pipe invert data, the data are missing or contain an unreadable value, this entry causes the software to automatically compute the pipe inverts using the defined sump depth and the connecting manhole invert elevations.
• Pipe length field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define pipe length using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Compute lengths for missing pipe length data: If there is missing or unreadable data while importing pipe length data, enabling this checkbox option will cause the software to automatically calculate the pipe length based on the digitized pipe polyline.

Pipe Network Connectivity Options

This section contains the following options:

• Upstream connecting node ID field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the upstream connection node ID using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Downstream connecting node ID field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the downstream connection node ID using the pipe attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Compute nearest node connection for missing pipe connectivity data: If during the importing of the connection element data, data are missing or do not correspond to any other element in the imported GIS data, this checkbox option causes the software to automatically determine the closest node for the digitized pipe end. This checkbox is checked by default.
• Create manholes (if missing) at pipe ends: This checkbox option will create a manhole at the pipe end if there is no node already defined within the connection snap distance. The manhole rim elevation is set equal to the terrain surface elevation. The manhole invert elevation is set equal to the pipe invert elevation. This entry is checked by default.
• Connection snap distance: This entry field defines the search distance to snap the pipe end to a node (i.e., manhole or junction) element or a storage area element. Alternatively, the user can click the […] button to measure the snap distance from the Map View.
• Correct pipe direction (flip end for end) to maintain downstream pipe slope: If after importing it is determined that the GIS definition of upstream and downstream pipe ends is backward (as the pipe should always slope downstream), this checkbox option causes the pipe ends to be flipped.
  Note that whenever this issue occurs, it is reported in the Shapefile Import Validation Report.

Reaches

The Reaches panel allows the user to import the routing reach geometry using the polyline shapefile, which can be used to define the routing reach elements. By default, the content of this panel is disabled (i.e., grayed out). Select the checkbox option at the Reaches panel to enable the content of this panel.

Note that the routing reach shapefile should be loaded before using this panel. Otherwise, no geometry will be imported.

General Routing Reach Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Polyline shapefile: This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the routing reach shapefile to be imported into the stormwater project. This dropdown combo box lists only polyline shapefiles..
• Routing Reach ID field: This naming option allows the user to define the routing reach ID using the routing reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data. The adjacent dropdown combo box lists only those attributes that contain text.
• Auto-name routing reach ID: This radio button option allows the user to automatically specify the ID for each routing reach. The user can assign these IDs using a predefined format or manually define the format of the ID. Note that this auto-name option is similar to the Auto-name subbasin ID option explained above for the Subbasins panel.

Other Routing Reach Shapefile Data

This section contains the following options:

• Channel bottom width field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the channel bottom width of reach using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default bottom width (for missing data): If during the importing of the channel bottom width data, data are missing or contain an unreadable value, this entry causes the software to automatically assign the channel bottom width using the defined value.
• Channel height field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the channel height of reach using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default channel height (for missing data): If during the importing of the channel height data, data are missing or contain an unreadable value, this entry causes the software to automatically assign the channel height using the defined value.
• Channel side slope field (V:H): This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the channel side slope using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default side slope (for missing data, V:H): If during the importing of the channel side slope data, data are missing or contain an unreadable value, this entry causes the software to automatically assign the channel side slope using the defined value.
• Channel Manning’s roughness field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define Manning’s roughness for the reach using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Default roughness (for missing data): If during the importing of the reach roughness data, the data are missing or contain an unreadable value, this entry causes the software to assign a default roughness to the reach. Clicking the […] lookup button allows the user to view the reference Manning’s roughness values.
• Reach length field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define reach length using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Compute lengths for missing reach length data: If there are missing or unreadable data while importing reach length data, enabling this checkbox option will cause the software to automatically calculate the length based on the digitized pipe polyline.

Assign Invert Elevation

This section contains the following options:

• Upstream invert elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the upstream invert elevation using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Downstream invert elevation field: This dropdown combo box allows the user to define the downstream invert elevation using the reach attributes defined in the imported shapefile data.
• Compute invert elevation from terrain surface (for missing data): If the imported invert elevation data for the routing reach contain missing or unreadable values, this section causes the software to automatically compute the invert elevation from the defined terrain surface. To assign invert elevation, the Terrain elevation source dropdown combo box supports the following surface types:
  1. CAD Drawing
  2. Elevation Grid
  3. GIS Contours
  4. LandXML Data
  5. Terrain Surface
  6. TIN Surface

  Based on the selected terrain elevation source, the content of the Assign Invert Elevation section will change accordingly.

Routing Reach Network Connectivity Options

This section is similar to the Pipe Network Connectivity Options section of the Pipes panel. Refer to this section of this article as explained above.

Importing GIS Geometry Data Shapefiles

When all the options have been properly defined, click the [Import] button to import GIS geometry data shapefiles for the stormwater project.

After importing the stormwater shapefile geometry, the extent of the project will be displayed on the Map View.