1. WARMF Training Session for Truckee River Watershed
Laura Weintraub
Systech Engineering, Inc.
September 13, 2006
Systech Engineering, Inc

2. Workshop Agenda 10:00 – 12:00: Lecture 12:00 – 1:15: Lunch on your own
Background on WARMF
How will we use WARMF for TMDL?
Coverage of TR watershed
WARMF Calibration - non-point source load prediction
WARMF-->TRHSPF data transfer
12:00 – 1:15: Lunch on your own
1:15 – 5:00: Hands-On “How to run WARMF” (15 min break ~2:30)
Install / Walk through WARMF Modules
View Model Input/Output
Example Scenario – Septic System Removal
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3. WARMF Background
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4. What Is a Model?
Model n. A schematic description of a system, theory, or phenomenon that accounts for its known or inferred properties and may be used for further study of its characteristics.
-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
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5. Why Do We Use Models? Problem Decision Results
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6. Why Do We Use Models? Model helps to answer “What if?” Problem
Planning
Decision
Results
MODEL
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7. Types of Watershed Models
Mass Balance Assessments
Back of the envelope calculation, spreadsheet
Low cost, easy to implement, numerous simplifying assumptions
GIS-mapping-based Tools
Link simple mass balance models to GIS databases
Produce maps highlighting sensitive watershed regions
Interesting but can lack quantitative information
Mathematical Models
Complex tools using differential equations to describe physical processes
Rigorous, physically-based, provide dynamic simulation of system
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8. What is a Watershed Model?
Meteorological Conditions
Air Quality
Managed Flow
Diversions
Reservoir Releases
Watershed Characteristics
Land use
Fertilizer
Catchment areas/slope
Soil characteristics
Septic systems
Point Sources
Watershed Model
Adjustable parameters:
Precipitation weighting, temperature lapse
Initial conditions
Reaction rates
BMPs
Bank stability / vegetation factors
Model Output
Stream flow
Water quality (nutrients, DO, Chl-a, TSS)
Loading
COMPARISON
Measured Data
Hydrologic Conditions
Water Quality
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9. How Does it Work?
Model balances flows of mass into and out of linked control volumes (e.g. soil layer, river segment).
Rain, fertilizer, air deposition
Inflow from upstream river
Reactions
Reactions
Water flow w/ nutrients
Outflow to downstream river or reservoir
Catchment
(land surface)
River or Reservoir
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10. Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework
What is WARMF?
Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework
GIS-based watershed model and DSS
Physically based, dynamic model
Simulates flow, temperature, nutrients TSS, DO, Fecal Coli, Chl-a, etc.,
Friendly tool, easily transferred to stakeholders
Well-suited for answering questions during the TR TMDL process
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11. Theoretical Basis of WARMF
Based on algorithms from legacy models
Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor Objects =
Catchment + Stream Segment + Lake Layer
Dynamic Watershed Model, Daily Time Step
Driven by Meteorology and Land Use Data
Processes = Kinetic Expressions
Mass-Heat Balance = Advection + Diffusion + Sink + Source
C(t) = C(to) + dC/dt t
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12. WARMF Credentials Applied to over 17 watersheds
Hydrology, water quality, TMDLs, watershed planning
4 USEPA-Guided Peer Reviews
Available as a Public Domain Tool via USEPA
Compatible with EPA BASINS
WARMF Applications
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13. Questions WARMF Can Help Answer
How will regional growth affect hydrology and water quality?
What is the allowable loading of a pollutant to a river?
What strategies will be effective for nonpoint load reduction?
What is the effect of power production on water quality?
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14. How Will We Use WARMF for the Truckee River TMDL?
Predict the nonpoint loading into the Truckee River
Provide boundary condition loadings for TRHSPF
Evaluate how nonpoint loading could change with varying land use, meteorological conditions, water use
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15. Truckee River TMDL Revision
WARMF
Watershed Model
Predicts nonpoint source loads for input to TRHSPF
TRHSPF
In-stream Water Quality Model
Calculates final TMDL analysis
Why link models together?
Daily predictions of flow and water quality better than monthly estimates used in past
WARMF can predict impact of land use change on water quality
Both models incorporate TROM, future land use conditions, and massive amounts of local watershed and river data
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16. WARMF – TRHSPF Linkage TRHSPF Model Domain WARMF Boundary conditions
Thick yellow lines
WARMF Boundary conditions
Thick blue lines and shaded catchments
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17. WARMF Application to the Truckee River
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18. Model Development Process
Collect input and
calibration data
Build model and
analyze data
Calibrate model:
hydrology and
water quality
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19. History of WARMF-Truckee
WARMF Adaptation,
Data Compilation
Model Setup, Enhancement, Calibration
Steamboat Creek,
Model Comparison of WARMF vs. HSPF (Aqua Terra)
Scenario Runs for USBR, 2003
Supported TROA EIS/EIR
Boundary conditions for DSAMMt
Stakeholder Training, 2004
Two day workshop sponsored by City of Reno
Truckee River TMDL Revision,
Updated database through 2004
Low-flow simulation improvements
Model Calibration Refinement
WARMF Training
Scenario Runs to support TMDL Revision
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20. Watershed Processes in Truckee River
Snow Melt
Rainfall
Heat
Reservoirs
Lake Tahoe
Septage
Irrigation Return
Erosion Runoff
Urban Drainage
Evaporation
Pyramid Lake
TMWRF
Groundwater Seepage
Water Plant
Steamboat Creek/ Tributaries
Huffaker
Reservoir
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21. WARMF Input Data Data Source Details DEM USGS
Map delineated to 94 catchments, 78 river segments, 7 reservoirs
Meteorology
NCDC, SNOTEL
Reno, Stateline, Tahoe City, Mt. Rose, Truckee, Virginia City, Wadsworth, Big Meadow
Reservoir
USGS, USBR, CDEC
Release, Bathymetry, Elevation
Land Use
Washoe Co., BASINS
11 Land uses
Air Quality
NADP
Smith Valley, Lyon County
Diversion
Federal Water Master
46 Diversions
Point Source
TMWRF, NDEP, TTSA
2 Major, 5 Minor
Observed Stream Flow
28 Stations
Observed Water Quality
NDEP, STORET, TMWRF, LRWQCB, T-TSA
38 Stations
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22. How Complete and Thorough is WARMF’s coverage of the Truckee River Watershed?
Land Use
Two Projections: “Current” and 2020 projection
12 Land Use Categories
Map extent
Lake Tahoe down to Pyramid Lake
Water Quantity
meteorogically driven simulations
water diversion, irrigation and return flows
USBR reservoir releases
Point sources
Major: TTSA and TMWRF
Several minor
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23. How Complete and Thorough is WARMF’s coverage of the Truckee River Watershed?
Anthropogenic loads
septic systems
urban surface loading
pasture loading
confined feeding stockyard
reuse application
reservoir leakage??
Natural loading
air deposition
steamboat hot springs
ground water accrual near fernley
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24. What is WARMF’s Predictive Capacity for Nonpoint Loads?  Calibration
Adjust model parameters, reaction rates, etc. until simulated flow or concentration is as close as possible to observed data
Start with hydrology, then water quality
Use visual inspection and statistical output to determine goodness of fit •
- Measured
- Modeled
Modeled
Target
Accuracy
Measured X
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25. Periods of WARMF Simulations
Model Calibration
10/1/1990 – 12/31/1997
Model Validation (use same model parameters with different input data set)
10/1/1997 – 12/31/2004
10/1/1985 – 12/31/1990
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26. Calibration Parameters
Hydrology
Water Quality
Sediment Transport
Catchment Watershed
Precipitation weighting Snow formation temperature
Temperature lapse Snow melting temperature
Soil thickness Melting rates
Field capacity
Hydraulic conductivity
Surface roughness
Catchment River Land Use
Initial soil Reaction rates Fertilization/surface loading rates
concentration (nitrification, SOD, Productivity
Adsorption organic carbon decay) Litter fall and uptake
coefficients Soil and foliar nitrification
Catchment River Land Use
Soil erosivity Initial sediment depth Rainfall detachment factor
Particle content Detachment velocity multiplier Flow detachment factor
Detachment velocity exponent Cropping factor
Particle content
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27. Hydrology Truckee River at Reno/Sparks
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28. Total Nitrogen Truckee River at Reno/Sparks
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29. Total Phosphorus Truckee River at Reno/Sparks
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30. Total Dissolved Solids Truckee River at Reno/Sparks
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31. Hydrology Steamboat Creek at Cleanwater Way
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32. Total Nitrogen Steamboat Creek at Cleanwater Way
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33. Total Phosphorus Steamboat Creek at Cleanwater Way
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34. Total Dissolved Solids Steamboat Creek at Cleanwater Way
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35. Hydrology Truckee River at Vista
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36. Total Nitrogen Truckee River at Vista
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37. Total Phosphorus Truckee River at Vista
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38. Total Dissolved Solids Truckee River at Vista
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39. Loading Output
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40. Calibration Refinement
Revisiting data limitations and model assumptions
Septic systems
Litterfall / uptake rates
Soil hydrology in Steamboat Creek region
Air quality
TTSA data assumptions (e.g. use well data, apply time lag)
Urban surface loading rates
Upstream reservoir contributions (e.g. seasonal patterns of N)
Additional sources of loading
Confined feeding
Reservoir leakage
QA/QC Data for Calibration
Ensure all appropriate data is included for calibration comparison
Review calibration data with scatter. Remove extraneous data
Finalize Calibration and Prepare Report
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41. WARMF – TRHSPF Linkage TRHSPF Model Domain WARMF Boundary conditions
Thick yellow lines
WARMF Boundary conditions
Thick blue lines and shaded catchments
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42. WARMF  TRHSPF Data Transfer
Linkage: Upstream boundary (Glendale), tributaries, local catchments draining to TR
Define scenarios to be run
WARMF Input: TROM outflows, 2020 land use
WARMF output generated using export tool:
Daily predictions of flow and water quality
Impact of land use change on water quality
Impact of water management on nonpoint loads
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43. WARMF Output Export Tool
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44. Installation of WARMF
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45. WARMF Installation Installation Directory:
c:\program files\systech\warmf\truckee
CD Contents
WARMF model
Database for Truckee River Basin
Calibration, validation and ConvertSeptic scenario results
Warmfdoc.pdf – Documentation
WarmfUsersGuide.pdf – User’s Guide
Knowledge Module Files
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46. Walk Through WARMF Modules
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47. Engineering and Data Modules
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48. Subwatershed Breakpoints
Break system into smaller sections
Boundary condition file created at each breakpoint (flowqout.ID#)
View / Subwatersheds
Automatic breaks at each reservoir
Click on river to set new breakpoint
To run independently…
Must be a headwater section…OR…
Subwatershed above already run with same simulation period (flowqout.ID# file for upstream must exist)
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49. Data Module Data driving simulation Calibration data
Time Series: meteorology, air quality, managed flow, point sources
Scenario Data: land use, fertilizer, physical data, reaction rates, sediment coefficients
Calibration data
Observed hydrology and water quality
Insert or add rows
Copy and paste from Excel
Document source of data
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50. Scenario Management Project Files (Truckee) Watershed Data
FILE SAVE
Watershed Data
(pts, met, air, etc.)
SCENARIO SAVE
Scenario Data
(Base90to97)
Scenario Data
(ConvertSeptic)
Scenario Data
(StRest)
Projects can have any number of scenarios, but only 4 can be open at any given time.
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51. Project Files General for all scenarios Truckee.wsh – map file
Truckee.wsm
name of .wsh file
number of scenarios
list of scenarios
name of consensus file
Truckee.con – consensus file
stakeholder information
intended use / criteria
saved TMDLs
list of pictures
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52. Scenario Data (Base90to97, ConvertSeptic, etc.)
Viewed through Engineering module and modified to generate new scenarios.
INPUT Base.coe - coefficients, rates, land use, fertilizer
OUTPUT Base.cat – catchment output Base.riv – river output Base.lak – lake output Base.psm – loading output
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53. Watershed Data Files Viewed through data module *.air – air quality
*.met – meteorology data
*.pts – point source data
*.flo – release and diversion data
*.orh – observed river flow
*.orc – observed river WQ
*.olh – observed lake elevation
*.olc – observed lake WQ
*.pic – picture files
*.avi – picture files
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54. Create a New Scenario Select BASE as active scenario
Go to scenario manager and click on COPY
OK to copy active scenario? YES
Type in new scenario name
Open the new scenario (close others if necessary)
Make it active by selecting it under Scenario Menu
Do a FILE SAVE to save new scenario configuration
Do a SCENARIO SAVE to save new data
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55. Time and Space Savers Reduce Simulation Time Conserve Hard Drive Space
Run smaller subwatersheds
Run a shorter time period
Turn off chemistry
Conserve Hard Drive Space
Turn off constituents – Edit / Output List
Turn off catchments, rivers, etc. – Input Dialogs / Write Output to File
Delete Old Scenarios – Scenario / Delete
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56. Consensus Module
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57. Loading and WQ
Must have Generate Loading checked in Run Dialog to view results
Select River or Reservoir to add or delete loading chart
Double click on loading chart for values
Loading only calculated for subwatersheds that are run
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58. TMDL Module
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59. TMDL Procedure TMDL = WLA+LA+FG+MOS
Water Quality Limited Sections (WQLS)
Intended Use
Multiple Possible Solutions
Cost Sharing or Pollution Trading
Stakeholder Involvement
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60. Knowledge Module
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61. Files Contained in Knowledge Module
BeneficialUses.xls
Spreadsheet showing the beneficial uses and criteria for California, Nevada, PLPT
TMDL.pdf
Truckee River TMDL, NDEP 1993
IrrigationSpreadsheet.xls
Spreadsheet used to allocate diversion water back to individual land catchments
SBCreekModelCompare.pdf
Report of model comparison between WARMF and HSPF in Steamboat Creek region
WARMFPeerReview.pdf
WARMF Peer Review publication, EPRI 2000
WARMFTruckeeFinal02.pdf
WARMF- Truckee modeling final report, Systech Engineering (updated 2002)
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62. Potential Scenario Development
Livestock Exclusion
River Restoration
Septic System Conversion
Water Management (TROM, conservation, modified diversions)
WARMF’s Consensus Module
McCarran Ranch Restoration Site
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63. Septic System Conversion
Example Problem
Septic System Conversion
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64. Example: Septic System Conversion
Retire 924 Septic Systems in Verdi region
Add domestic waste from these residences to TMWRF discharge
Truckee River at Verdi
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65. Step 1: Create New Scenario
1. Use Scenario Manager to make a duplicate copy of base run
3. Make sure scenario is “open”
2. Copy to a new name (ConvertSeptic)
4. Make sure scenario is “active”
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66. Step 2: Remove Septic Systems
Reduce “Population Served by Septics” in 5 specified catchments
Locate catchments in table using Edit / Find
Open catchment and change value in the Population Served by Septics field.
Catchment ID
Existing “Population Served”
Tanks Converted
Converted Population
New “Population Served”
418
1296
540
2274
1654 87
209
1445
419 31 22
2273
485
157
377
108
420
250
118
Total
3716
924
2163
1553
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67. Step 3: Add Additional Load to TMWRF
Locate River Segment with TMWRF using Edit / Find (by ID “67” or by name “TMWRF”). May need to zoom in to see it.
Replace existing TMWRF point source file with new file (TMWRFConvSeptic.pts)
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68. Step 4. Run Scenario Select Scenario / Save.
Select Scenario / Run to open run dialog. Click OK. Let it chug along…
Simulation Complete! Close dialog.
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69. Step 5: View Output
Decrease in nonpoint loading (septic system category).
Increase in point source loading
Overall decrease in loading
Loading Comparison
Septic System Loading (kg/d)
Point Source Loading (kg/d)
ΔLoading (kg/d)
Base
Convert Septic
Nitrate
2.38
1.35
43.8 44
-0.83
Total Nitrogen
4.04
1.91
347
349
-0.13
Total Phosphorus
0.565
0.186
41.6
41.9
-0.079
Fecal Coli. (1e6/d)
7.21e6
2.37e6
5150
5170
-4.84e5
BOD
45.1
15.3
770
775
-24.8
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70. More Example Problems in Handout
Water Augmentation / Land Use Change
Stream Restoration / Livestock Management
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