Development and Application of an Operational Software Tool for

Assessment of Flood Inundation

Jamie Dyer, Ph.D.

Mississippi State University Department of Geosciences

Project Overview/Members • NGI funding to MSU and LMRFC.

– Funded by Northern Gulf Institute.

– Project in Years 4 and 5 of the initial NGI award.

• Jan 2009 – Dec 2011.

• $430,000 over the two years.

• Mississippi State University

– Philip Amburn

– Jamie Dyer

– Song Zhang

– Robert Moorhead

– Derek Irby

– John van der Zwaag

– Jibonananda Sanyal

• Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center

– David Reed

– David Welch

– Jeff Graschel

– David Ramirez

– Katelyn Costanza

Goals and Motivation

• Motivation:

– Need for better (i.e., more efficient and robust) tools to assist operational river forecasters in evaluating hydrologic and hydraulic properties of river discharge.

– Need for a platform for rapid assessment and interpretation of hydraulic model output (single run and ensemble).

– Need for an improved real-time inundation mapping framework to support flood forecast operations.

• Goal:

– Development of visual analytic tools and methods to enable scientists and forecasters to better interpret and distribute hydrologic information.

The Role of Scientific Visualization

• Why visualize? The end determines the need…

– “I see”

• Individual analysis and technical assessment of data.

• High complexity, minimal description.

– “We see”

• Data assessment and discussion by small groups of experts.

• Moderate complexity, moderate description.

– “They see”

• Dissemination of information to broad audience.

• Low complexity, maximum description.

• More than just pretty pictures!

– Data analysis and presentation are enhanced through selective use of visualization and diagnostic tools.

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• Problem: Operational forecasting of complex river systems requires hydraulic routing simulations.

• Solution: NOAA has selected Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). – 1-D routing model that incorporates conservation of mass and momentum

when determining flow. – Can more easily build geo-referenced hydraulic models.

• Problem: More detailed model requires higher-level visual analytics for model

assessment. • Solution: Dedicated set of visualization and analysis tools.

– Interactively exploring data (“I see”), which includes model validation. – Describing the extent and/or potential of flooding (“We see”).

• Problem: Storm surge and rapid flood wave propagation requires real-time

analysis and decision-making support. • Solution: Customizable map and graph generation with batch capabilities.

– Relaying information to emergency managers and general public (“They see”).

– Increased efficiency through batch generation of visualizations.

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FloodViz – Design Approach

• Better to build a new, custom application rather than adapt existing visualization package.

– FloodViz written at MSU built on open-source packages.

– Dedicated development team with guidance and testing from expert users.

• Foundational software:

– Qt

– Boost

– OpenGL

– Mesa

• Linux OS (32-bit) is primary target to be compatible with AWIPS.

– MS Windows port has not been done, but possible.

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FloodViz – Development

– gdal

• proj4

• Shapelib

– ImageMagick

FloodViz – Block Diagram

FloodViz

Plan viewer

HEC-RAS

Geometric data - river system schematic - cross section data - reach lengths - stream junction information - Manning’s n-values - ineffective flow areas - levees - blocked obstructions

Hydraulic structure data - bridges, culverts, spillways, storage areas, lateral weirs, inline weirs, etc…

DEM -Lidar -buildings Imagery

- satellite - aerial

3D viewer

HEC-RAS output files

X-section viewer

Profile viewer Flow data - initial conditions - boundary conditions - lateral/uniform inflows - stream junction information

DLG (shape files) - roads - Political boundaries

• Multiple visualization formats (static and animated) for data analysis:

– Plan view.

– 3D view.

– Cross-section view.

– Profile view.

• Supports multiple data types for robust and flexible applications:

– HEC-RAS output.

– Digital elevation models (DEM).

– Geo-referenced imagery.

– Shape files (roads, boundaries, etc.).

• Interactive and batch modes of operation:

– Increases dissemination speed and efficiency.

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FloodViz – Capabilities

• Plan view:

– Rapid assessment of inundation.

– Overview of model domain characteristics and limitations.

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FloodViz – 2D (plan) View

• 3D view:

– ‘Useful’ point-of-view technique for “they see” applications.

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FloodViz – 3D View

• Cross-section and profile views:

– Bread and butter of operational hydrologic forecasting.

– Interactive scaling and zooming functions.

– Plan view and cross-section view linked.

Cross-Section view Profile view

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FloodViz – Graphing

• Multiple views with interactive capabilities:

– Numerous instances of views open at once.

– Interaction between view types.

– Flexible viewing environment and layout.

• Dockable windows, multiple views, splitter windows.

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FloodViz – Multiple Views

• Load multiple data sources and/or time steps for ensemble visualization.

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FloodViz – Ensembles

• Version 1.0 available for 32-bit Linux OS.

– Developed under MAC OS, but no current Windows version.

• Further funding necessary for continued development.

– 64-bit version would solve many limitations.

• Currently being used/tested at:

– LMRFC: Pascagoula River.

– OHC: Potomac River.

– Plans for release at WGRFC.

– Riverside Technology, Inc.: Istanbul, Turkey FEWS

• Remaining questions:

– Further testing and validation of georeferencing and model data representation (especially in 3D view).

– Honest assessment of status for research and/or operations.

• Is the capability in FloodViz needed? What else is needed?

FloodViz – Current Status

Inundation Maps / Verification

HEC-RAS output vs. MODIS image

May 6, 2011

Inundation Maps / Verification

HEC-RAS output vs. ELCIRC VIMS model of Hurricane Isabel

Potomac River at Alexandria, VA – Sept 20, 2003

Inundation Maps / Verification

HEC-RAS output: 3D view vs. aerial image

Potomac River at Alexandria, VA – Sept 20, 2003

Next Steps and Applications

• Inclusion in a decision support system along with other models and analysis tools:

– Storm surge simulations.

– Additional hydrologic and hydraulic routing models.

– Inclusion of meteorological and surface fields in plan and 3D views. • Precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture, etc.

• Assessment of river and bank modifications to inundation. – Inclusion or changes to engineering structures.

– Natural processes.

• Assessment of inundation changes due to climate variability. – Impact of changes in streamflow, vegetation, etc.

– Ability to compare model output, ensemble simulations, before/after scenarios, probability maps, etc.

Thank you!

Any questions?