GRASS-HRU

The complete process chain for the HRU derivation was implemented according to a service-oriented application in GRASS-GIS. The execution enironment is strictly separated from the operating environment by using a preconfigured, virtual machine which is in charge of data preparation and the calculation of HRUs in GRASS-GIS. A plug-in developed for QGIS creates an intuitive, wizard-driven and transparent environment for the execution of the process chain.

Contents 1 Download/Installation of GRASS-HRU 1.1 Download 1.2 Installation 2 Preparation 3 Details on the HRU Derivation Using the Wizard 3.1 Step 0: Setup 3.2 Step 1: Preparation 3.3 Step 2: Reclass 3.4 Step 3: Waterflow 3.5 Step 4: Outlet Watersheds 3.6 Step 5: Overlay 3.7 Step 6: Topology 3.8 Step 7: Statistics

Download/Installation of GRASS-HRU

Download

Use the installation package for a complete and easy installation, available here: http://www.geoinf.uni-jena.de/~c3schs/grass-hru/GRASS-HRU.rar

Follow the instructions given here to do a manual installation of GRASS-HRU.

Installation

For installing the GRASS-HRU software package, please follow these steps:

1. Unpack the downloaded GRASS-HRU archive in your desired location
2. Identify the architecture tye of your operating system:
   • open the system properties dialog (e.g. by typing WinKey+E and choosing "System Properties" from the menu bar)
   • look for "System type"
3. Choose the matching setup file (setup_32bit.exe for 32 bit systems, setup_64bit.exe for 64 bit system) and execute it as an administrator (right click the file -> Execute as Administrator)
4. Whenever asked for permission to install software/drivers during setup, please confirm
5. During installation, you are prompted to restart the computer – please quit setup, reboot and restart the setup script (with administrator rights) again
6. Once the installation has finished, close the installer by pressing the "exit setup" button

Preparation

Before starting the HRU derivation, the following steps have to be completed:

1. Run the newly created Virtual Appliance with the name "GRASS-HRU" by double-clicking on the corresponding entry on the VirtualBox window (or the button "Starten"). The following boot process in a separate window has to be carried out completely and can be minimized when the login prompt appears (donot close!). The virtual machine is working in the background during the whole HRU derivation process.
   
   Please note: By entering http://localhost:8080 in the address bar of the internet browser you can check if the virtual machine has been successfully started and if a connection with the machine is possible. A website containing the words "It works!" should appear.
2. Click on Extras -> Netzlaufwerk verbinden in the Windows explorer and enter it as file http://localhost:8080/grasshru. Additionally, you can choose a free hard disk letter, e.g. Z:. When finished, open the configuration file ../plugins/hruwps/grass-hru.cfg and edit device in webdav section according to your chosen drive letter
   
   
   All input data should now be stored in this folder. The existing subfolder /gehlberg contains example data for input and result layers. New subfolders for the required input data can be created in the new network folder.
3. Now the plug-in can be started from QuantumGIS. In order to do so, start QuantumGIS and click on the GRASS-HRU-Icon (see above) - the plug-in for HRU derivation opens. By clicking on the magnifying glass to the right of the address bar a message on successful connection should appear.
   
   
   

Details on the HRU Derivation Using the Wizard

Step 0: Setup

• Selection of the digital terrain model (DGM) in GeoTiff format and a shapefile format, each by using the button Datei next to the input field.
• Selection of additional data layers (land use, soil, geology) by clicking on the button Hinzufügen to the right hand side of the Data Layer chart.
• Opening a bounding box (first left mouse click: top left-hand corner, second left mouse click: bottom right-hand corner, right mouse click: delete bounding box). The resulting bounding box should comprise the complete catchment area to be analysed.

Step 1: Preparation

• It is possible to delete local sinks from the DGM. In case the current DGM has not been filled yet, default filling should be selected from the methodology list.
• For the calculation of slope and slope orientation no further input is necessary.

Step 2: Reclass

• According to the different indices (DEM, Slope und Aspect) the corresponding map is classified.
• The standard areas and values can be applied or modified. In case of a modification values cannot be below or above the corresponding minima and maxima.
• If a data set should not be used for HRU derivation, it can be deselected (Checkbox not required).

Step 3: Waterflow

• For the derivation of the water supply network, flow accumulation and flow direction and for partial catchment areas a threshold value Minimum Size Of Basins is required.
• This parameter determines, for example, the degree of detail of the water network or the number of partial catchment areas. The threshold value determines the smalles, derivable partial catchment area and is indicated in cells (number of pixels).
• Example: A value of 1500 (and an assumed solution of 25m) results in a designation of partial catchment areas bigger than (1500*25*25)/1000000 = 0.9375km² ~ 1km².

Step 4: Outlet Watersheds

• The following steps are necessary for the calculation of a map showing partial watersheds derived from their water levels:
  1. Pan the water level and supply map up in the key, so both data sets are visible.
  2. Check with the zoom tool whether the singular water levels lie exactly on the derived water supply network. If not, modify the level layer until all levels in the watershed lie on the water sections. To do so, please proceed as follows:
     1. Select the level layer on the key and activate the vector editing mode of QuantumGIS
     2. Take the tool for panning vector points and relocate the corresponding watersheds
     3. Finally, cancel the edit mode by clicking on again and agree to save changes
  3. If all water levels in the catchment area have the correct position in the water network, those levels relevant to the calculation have to be selected - use the marker tool .
• Choose the shapefile attribute on the selection list Name of corresponding attribute (ID) which represents a unique parameter for the level (integer and > 0, e.g. level ID).

Step 5: Overlay

• The intersection of all data layers creates small areas (specific layers can be disregarded by deselecting them). Those areas are not suitable as HRUs and should therefore be eliminated.
• For this purpose a threshold value is defined (Size of smallest area to remove) which determines the minimum size of an HRU (in cells).
• Example: A value of 8 (and an assumed solution of 25m) results in a designation of HRUs which is bigger than (8*25*25) = 5000m² =0.5ha

Step 6: Topology

• Fo the determination of the topological connection of HRUs (and water segments) no specific parameter input is necessary.
• The module calculates
  • the N:1 topology (HRUs can drain in only one neighboring HRU/river section)
  • the N:M topology (HRUs can drain in several neighboring HRUs/river sections)
  • water topology (topological combination of all river sections)
• The option Enable discrete reaches is an extension of the topological derivation and its development has not yet been finished.

Step 7: Statistics

• The existing HRU map in grid format (Geo Tiff) is now converted into a shapefile. In doing so, additional features of a single HRU can be selected which are taken to the attribute chart or are supposed to be calculated.