Importing a HydroCAD Project
The Import HydroCAD Project command allows the user to import HydroCAD input data files to a GeoHECHMS project. This is useful when an existing hydrologic model has already been developed in HydroCAD and needs to be transitioned into GeoHECHMS for further analysis, editing, or reporting. This eliminates the need to manually re-enter the model data from scratch.
A HydroCAD model is represented by a network of the following types of nodes:
- Subcatchment: A relatively homogenous area of land that typically drains into a reach or pond. Each subcatchment generates a runoff hydrograph.
- Pond: A pond, swamp, dam, catch basin, manhole, drywell, or other impoundment that fills with water from one or more sources and empties in a manner determined by a weir, culvert, or other outlet device(s).
- Catch Basin: A special type of pond that provides an insignificant amount of storage but otherwise has all the properties and capabilities of a pond.
- Reach: A uniform stream, channel, or pipe that conveys water from one point to another and operates under open channel flow.
- Link: A link may be used to 1) enter a hydrograph generated outside HydroCAD, 2) interconnect several routing diagrams, 3) scale a hydrograph, 4) split a hydrograph into two components for independent routing, or 5) define a fixed or tidal tailwater elevation.
The following table details the conversions that will occur when importing HydroCAD input data files to a GeoHECHMS project.
| HydroCAD Nodes | GeoHECHMS Elements | |
|---|---|---|
| Subcatchment | Subbasin | |
| Reach | Reach | |
| Pond | Storage Area | |
| Link | Internal (use only diagram inflows) | Junction |
| Enter hydrograph manually | Source | |
| Import hydrograph from a file or from another project |
Follow the steps below to use the Import HydroCAD Project command:
- From the Input ribbon menu, click the Import Data dropdown menu and choose the Import HydroCAD Project command.
- The Import HydroCAD Project dialog box will be displayed.
- From the Select HydroCAD Project section, click the […] browse button to select the HydroCAD project file.
- The software will display the Import HydroCAD Project File dialog box. From the displayed dialog box, browse to the folder where the HydroCAD project file is located and select it. Click the [Open] button.
- The user will be returned to the Import HydroCAD Project dialog box, and the complete directory path and the file name will be shown in the HydroCAD Project File entry.
- Click the [Import] button to import the HydroCAD input data files.
- The imported HydroCAD model elements will be shown on the Map View, as shown below.
