Use rasters to define depth and infiltration

You can use a raster to define the starting water level depth of a flood simulation as well as the infiltration rate and maximum infiltration values. Any single-band raster with numeric values, in a supported unit, added to the scene can be used.

Tip:

Raster functions can be used to create a layer in the map in a supported unit without requiring data conversion.

Define the starting water level using a raster

Use a raster to define the starting water level depth. This adds water on top of the area of interest before the simulation begins and is helpful when a scenario should start in a partially flooded state. For example, you can model a dam or a river that is already close to capacity.

To establish this starting water depth, complete the following:

1. Right-click the layer in the Contents pane and click Configuration . Alternatively, click the launcher button in the Configuration group of the Simulation tab.

   The Configure Simulation pane opens loaded with the current parameters.

2. Under the Starting Water Level header, expand the Water Depth Raster gallery.

   All rasters in the Contents pane are listed.

3. Select the raster that contains the starting water level definition.
4. Select the unit of the raster, such as yards (yd), from the drop-down list.

   Note:

   Only millimeters(mm), centimeters(cm), meters(m), inches(in), feet(ft), and yards(yd) are supported.

5. Click Apply to save these changes.

Define the infiltration rate using a raster

Use a raster to define how fast water enters the ground. This provides a more accurate representation of how some water will infiltrate into the ground.

To include an infiltration rate in a flood simulation, complete the following:

1. Right-click the layer in the Contents pane and click Configuration . Alternatively, click the launcher button in the Configuration group of the Simulation tab.

   The Configure Simulation pane opens loaded with the current parameters.

2. Under the Infiltration Rasters header, expand the Infiltration Rate (units/hr) gallery.

   All rasters in the Contents pane are listed.

3. Select the raster that contains the infiltration rate definition.
4. Select the measurement unit of the raster from the drop-down list.

   Note:

   Only millimeters(mm) and inches(in) are supported.

5. Click Apply to save these changes.

Define maximum infiltration using a raster

Use a raster to define the maximum allowable infiltration level. This defines at what point the soil can no longer absorb water.

To include a maximum infiltration rate in a flood simulation, complete the following:

1. Right-click the layer in the Contents pane and click Configuration . Alternatively, click the launcher button in the Configuration group of the Simulation tab.

   The Configure Simulation pane opens loaded with the current parameters.

2. Under the Infiltration Rasters header, expand the Maximum Infiltration gallery.

   All rasters in the Contents pane are listed.

3. Select the raster that contains the maximum infiltration definition.
4. Select the measurement unit of the raster from the drop-down list.

   Note:

   Only millimeters(mm) and inches(in) are supported.

5. Click Apply to save these changes.