How to Use the Powerful Scenario Management in InfoSWMM and InfoSWMM SA

The Scenario Explorer is an essential feature that enables the user to create, edit, modify, run, and compare any number of "what if" modeling scenarios with little extra effort. InfoSWMM H2OMap SWMM InfoSWMM SA 's Scenario Explorer has a tree-type structure (i.e. stem and branches) allowing the scenarios to inherit facilities (data elements) and modeling data from the parent scenario using the principle of inheritance thus greatly simplifying the additional effort required to manage and create various modeling conditions. Each project "child" scenario inherits the information from its "parent" scenario. Therefore, the Scenario Explorer enables you to maintain a single model of your collection system and quickly develop and evaluate numerous modeling alternatives to support your capital improvement decisions.

For example, from the same model, you could create different modeling scenarios for dry-weather conditions and wet-weather conditions by changing inflow data only. Likewise, if you need to evaluate the effect of adding some more network components (e.g., junctions and conduits) to mimic your city's future growth, all you need to do is add those network components and their associated data. You could evaluate the effect of changing a conduit shape and size, pump status or control, weir and/or orifice setting, external inflows, Subcatchment properties, storage shape and size, and many others properties and their combinations on your drainage (collection) system. You can easily switch between scenarios and compare modeling results instantly. You can even go to the extent of directly extracting (cutting) one or more sewersheds from the main model (Base Scenario) and analyze only those sewersheds, as well as, merge together any number of models for detailed analyses using the scenario Explorer.

In summary, scenarios in InfoSWMM H2OMap SWMM InfoSWMM SA may be used for the following:

• Scenarios provides the means to store different facility sets (network layouts & network configurations), operating conditions (type of simulation, duration, modeling method, etc) and data sets (Modeling parameters such as inflows, element attributes, etc).
• Customizing the scenarios allow for various Operational studies, modeling "What-if" conditions, studying the model under different inflow conditions, control sets (initial status and simple controls), RTC rules, different pump, conduit, junction, storage unit, orifice/weir type and configurations.
• Scenarios also allow you to create and run different hydraulic, hydrologic and water quality simulations by changing the flow routing options, infiltration and other rainfall-runoff modeling methods, and pollutant buildup and washoff modeling approaches.

In InfoSWMM H2OMap SWMM InfoSWMM SA , a scenario is defined in terms of the following three classes of modeling data:

• General - This refers to modeling parameters such as simulation options parameters, report options input data, and climatology setting. Using the General component of the scenario Explorer, you could change these modeling parameters for a scenario.
• Facility - This refers to Physical/Visual Objects including Subcatchment, Junction, Outfall, Divider, Storage Unit, Conduit, Pump, Weir, Orifice, and Outlet. This enables you to add/remove InfoSWMM H2OMap SWMM InfoSWMM SAfacilities (network elements) to/from a scenario as you wish.
• Data Set - This component of the scenario Explorer enables you to change input data for all InfoSWMM H2OMap SWMM InfoSWMM SA visual data objects listed above, and also enables you modify input data for the following Non-physical/Non-Visual Objects : Node Treatment, External Inflow, DWF, RDII Flow, Initial Pollutant Buildup, Groundwater, Coverage, Infiltration, Initial Status, RTC Rule, Soil, Aquifer, Snow Pack, Land Use, Pollutant, Hydrograph, Simple Control, Pattern, Curve, and Time Series.

Four tools provide access to the power of scenario management. Click on the links below for more information:

• Scenario Explorer
• Dataset Manager
• Edit Active Scenario
• Active Scenario Selector - This window displays the active scenario. Click the drop-down arrow to see a list of other scenarios. You can quickly make another scenario the Active Scenario by clicking on it from the drop-down list.

NOTE: Data Elements deleted from one scenario will be deleted in all related scenarios and the Base Scenario. Please use the Facility Manager and Query Set functionality to disable the facilities you would not like to appear or operate in an inherited data set.

Each of three components of a scenario can be further defined as follows:

• Simulation set – Created through the General tab, they define the simulation options associated with the scenario. There are three different option set types, each storing a logical grouping of simulation options. Click here for more information on simulation sets.
• Facility set – Defines the network facilities components to be used in a simulation. Only one facility set can be active at a time (facility sets are created through the Facility tab). Click here for more information on facility sets.
• Data set – Stores modeling data (pipe diameter and roughness, node flows, etc.) associated with each facility in a separate external database. Click here for more information on data sets.